Newspaper Page Text
ESTABLISHED 1799.
FROM JiEW YORK,
Western Union Telegraph Compa
ny ami tlie House and Senate Inves
tigating Committees. v
New York, December 25.—The fol
lowing correspondence Is furnished by
t be Western Union Telegraph oom
ifxECUTivE Office W. U. T. Cos., )
New York. December 23,1876. j'
[j vU , Win. R- Morrison i, Chairman, New
Sir— Accompanying thia, I send yop
a communication made by roe to; thfe
Speaker of the House -bf Representa
tives, in respect to a paper served upon
me, ami which requires the Sergeant
at-Anns of the House of Representa
tives to summon me to appear before
your committee at New Orleans, on the
26th of December. I do not suppose
it is that I possess any personal knowl
edge concerning the matters to be in
vestigated by that committee. I am
but now recovering from a long and
serious illness, and my health is in
such a state that I could not, without
great inconvenience and risks, as well
tts unnecessary expense to the Govern
ment, make such a long journey
as that to New Orleans. I
turst, therefore, that I may
be relieved from personal attendance,
and that such report as you may think
proper to make to the Speaker of the
House may not involve in a contempt
fora failure to appear personally. I
possess no knowledge in respect to any
matter confided to you for investiga
tion, or in respect to the papers which
you seek, and which would be of any
value to you if I wore there. I am,
very respect!uliy, William Otton.
Executive Office W. U. T. Cos., I
New York, December 23,1876. ’ \
To Hon. Samuel J. Randall, Speaker of
the House of Representatives, Wash
ington :
Sm-On the 19th day of December a
paper, a copy of which is hereto an
nexed, was handed to mo at Washing
ton, addressed to John G. Thompson,
Esq., Sergeant-at-Arms, or his speciui
messenger, and signed by you as
Speaker, by which paper the said
Thompson or his special messenger is
commanded to produce, at New Or
leans, before the Special Committee of
the House of Representatives, of which
William R. Morrison is Chairman, all
telegrams in his possessiou or un
der his control, received or sent
by William E. Cnandler, Zich Chand
ler, J. Don Cameron, J. M. Edmunds,
Jas. Casey, Wm. Pitr Kellogg, S. B.
Packard, Juo. F. Casey, J. R. G. Pitkin,
H. C. Dibbrell, H. C. Warmouth, Geo.
W. Carter and Gen. Auger, from and at
New Orleans, La., Washington City, D.
C., aiul New York city, N. Y., since the
first day of September last. Said pa
per also appears to require said Thomp
son to summon me to appear before
said select committee at the same time
and place, then aud there to testify
touching matters of inquiry committed
to said committee. Assuming that said
paper is erroneously supposed to con
tain some command addressed to me,
requiring me to produce before said
committee telegrams of a like descrip
tion in my possessiou ur uuder my
control, 1 beg leave respectfully
to inform you that if any such
messages have ever existed, of
which I in vo no knowledge, I
have never had either pers-mully or
officially any possession of them; that
I have never hud any control over
them, except as an agent of the Wes
tern Union Telegraph Company,
through aud by the co-operatiou of
subordinate agents that the Western
l T uion Telegraph Company has, with
out auy knowledge or participation on
my part, taken from all power and con
trol over all messages now in the pos
session of the Company. I beg leave,
therefore, respectfully to be excused
from compliance with the above men
tioned requirement, it never having
been done at any time since tbo service
of the subpoena, and beiug not now in
my power to comply with the same.
Very respectfully,
Wit Orton.
City and county of New York, S. S.—
Personally appeared before me, the 23d
of December, 1870, William Oiton, to
me personally known, who, being duly
sworn, deposod that the anuexed (state
ment addtessed to the Hoot Mairtuel J.
Kaudall, Speaker of the House of Rep
resentatives, is true, and that the same
broadens and for ids return to the
eertaiu paper dispatches received at or
sent from the telegraph olllces at Salem
and Portland, State of Oregon, from
the Ist day of Nov., 1876. to the 19th day
of December, 187 G, any and all dis
patches containing the name of J. N.
i Patrick, or of J. N. P, Partrick ; also
Charles Diamond, or Charles Dirnond ;
also Runyon & Cos.; also, Ladd & Bush;
also, Eugene Casserly ; also, %Vm. M.
Guinn, to said Guinn or from him, and
all dispatches where the sum of eight
thousand dollars is mentioned, and all
dispatches of a political character by
whomsoever sent or received, referring
to the electoral vote of Oregon, the in
eligibility of Watts as Preai iential
elector, and purporting to boa sub
i ‘‘ja, referred to therein.
Signed) Wm. Arnovx.
-Vary Public city aud county of N. 1\
Senate Chamber,
_ _ Washington, Dec. 19. j
the Hon. Win. Orion, President of
Western Union Telegraph Com-
pany ;
P°u are hereby required to pro
f,llce t without delay, before the
-°inuiitteo of Privileges and Elec
-008 of the United States Sen
*t r e< originals and copies of all tele
vaphic dispatches received at or sent
ro,n thj telegraphic office in Salem
Portland, State of Oregon, from
1 day of November, 1876, to the
1 |‘h day of December, 187 G, any and
■dispatches containing the name of
: P. Patrick or J. N. P. Partrick,
Vi Huts. Diamond or Chas. Limond,
Kuuyon & Cos., also Ladd & Bush
said Gwin or from him, and all dis
• ■h'hcg where the sum of 88,000 is
'mtioned, anil all dispatches of a
'j ’Gcal character, by whomsoever
- J nt or received, aud referring to the
“ e toral vote of Oregon, the iueligl
.v of Watts as a Presidential
" c tor, or to giving the certificate to
uiq as a Presidential elector ; and
■f J all dispatches of a political charac
. 1’ whomsoever sent or received,
‘ !llu the period named herein,
f, . O. P. Morton,
‘ B ’nnaa of the Committee of Privl
and Elections.
Executive Office W. U. Tel. Cos., )
Ij* December 23, 1876. |
l fe Hon. 0. P. Morton Chairman of
i| ty m Mittee of Privileges and e'ectinos,
J). C.: if \
; ’fi: In response to your notice, dat-
D. C., December 19tb,
f . ’ w h er eby I am required to pro
|v,', 1 w hh°ut delav, before the Com
-1 ' 6O °f Privileges and Elections of the
cop^of^t,! orl ß ina^a and
seilp o"?ont?5, of a*7m“sag e i K
•by the Western Union iSSph (w
pany.andam unable tSnEre SX?r
or mw taiU whether Buc b dispatches
you descr *be have ever
mene i° r J? com P l y with the require
ment of said notice . H
Very respectfully,
ri:. . Wm. Orton.
bounty of New York, 8. S.—
23d dS I, rf p6ar : ;d bafora me, this
OrTnn e f Decemb er, 1876, William
Jrton to mo personally known, who
n * deposed that the an
nexul statement addressed to Hon O
: ’Arn£ o - n \Chairman of the Oummit
tee of Fnvdeges and Elections, is true
ana that the same is made as and for
his return to the notice referred to
xa Wm. Arnoux,
New Yo?k ÜbllC Clty aUd f UDty of
. flowing resolutions were
adopted by the Board of Directors or
the Western Union Telegraph Corn
-223 meetiDg beid here December
Renohxd That the Western Union
telegraph Company regards itself as
the confidential agent of such of the
people of the United States as may
wish to employ its agencies for the
transmission of communications by
telegraph, and bound to resist bv
every lawful means, all publication or
examination of its records.
Resolved, That excepting such mes
sages as may be directed by the sonde*
to be preserved for a period not ex
ceeding six months, the Executive
Committee is hereby directed to pro
\ ido in the future for such speedy de
struction of ail written messages as
the necessary keeping of accounts be
tween the respective offices of the com
pany will allow.
Resolved, That tho Board of Direc
tors hereby appiove the action of the
Executive Committee in removing all
messages now on hand from the con
trol or possession of any of its officers.
THE WIND AND WAVES.
Loss of Life and Property at Sea.
New York, December 26.—The
steamer Labrador, which reached here
yesterday, reports that in about four
hundred and fifty miles of the Irish
coast, on the 12th, she spoke a dis
masted vessel of about 350 tons
burthen, over which the sea was
making a clean sweep. About ten men
were seen on deck. The Labrador
would have endeavored to take them
off, but they signalled that it was
dangerous and the vessels had better
part. Consequently the "Labrador con
tinued on her voyage, after a detention
of seventeen hours. The wind was
favorable to the vessel. Her stern was
broken, but the letters “Swan—E”
were made out. She showed no flag of
nationality.
The ship Rjukan, from London for
New York, went ashore on the Jersey
coast, at Ocean Grove, last night, dur
ing a fog. She lies broadside od. The
wind is blowing a half gale aud the sea
breaking completely over her. Her
mainmast and foremast have been car
ried away. She will probably be a to
tal loss unless the weather moderates.
All hands were saved.
Ellsworth, Me., December 26.—An
unknown vessel went ashore in the late
storm on Marshall Island, near Swan’s
Island. When discovered she had gone
to j>ieeeß. Three dead bodies were
found among her timbers, frozen stiff
and naked. Her stern had been car
ried away, but her beam was found
bearing the number 66,891. Her ton
nage was marked 111 45-100. The ves
sel was laden with laths.
THE INDIANS.
Gen. Cioek's Expedition Homeward
Bound.
New- York, Deeomber 26.—-A dispatch
datod camp on the North Fork of Belle
Fourche, December 21st, says : General
Crook announced at the Council with
our ludiun scouts here, that the expe
dition would start homeward in the
morning. Wo have rations for twelve
days and a half, and forage for a week.
Neither tie Indians sent to locate Crazy
Horse’s village, nor those sent to Bed
Cloud to bring out more Indian soldiers,
have joined us yet, and our present
meagre stoek of supplies, with a limi
ted amount of transportation at posts
which are nearest us, will not permit
further prosecution of the present
campaign Since our fight in the Big
Horn Mountains, small bands of Indian
braves have been wandering about the
country in our vicinity, aud keeping
watch on all our movements—facts
which tend to make a surprise of the
hostile Sioux by our troops a raattfcr of
extreme difficulty, if not wholly impos
sible, even if our stock in better
condition and supplies for men and ani
mals more plentiful. We are in about
four days’ march from Fort Kano, and
shall probably be back at Fort Fetter
man about the 29th inst.
WASHINGTON ITEMS.
News aud Gossip from the Capital.
Washington, December 25.—General
Anderson, of tbe Louisiana Returning
Board, has been here to-day with a
party of friends, and left for New Or
leans to-night. His visit seems to have
had no political object. He did not
visit the President.
Washington, December 26.—Speaker
Randal! has written Mr. Orton out of
bis power, and suited the Executive
Committee of the Western Union, so
summoned, is amenable under resolu
tion of ih° House as preventing Mr.
Orton from producing papers by their
resolution taking them from his con
trol.
Washington, December 2G. —There
will be no Cabinet this week unless
something occurs. Attorney General
Talt will be absent till Saturday.
The Electoral vote of the Florida
Republican Electoral Collego was de
posited with Mr. Ferry. He gave no
receipt. He has now the votes of the
two Electoral Colleges from Florida.
Attachments issued compel Manager
Barnes, of the New Orleans telegraph
office, to appear before Mr. Morrison’s
Committee with required telegrams.
Murder, Robbery and Suicide.
Atlanta, December 26.—Last Satur
day J. A. JacksoD, of DeKalb county,
was arrested under suspicion of hav
ing foullv dealt with one of his neigh
bors, named Zack Thompson, who had
been missing several days. Jackson
was put in jail and search made for
Thompson’s body. It was found on
Sunday buried in a field uear Jackson's
bouse. Seven hundred dollars that
Thompson had was also found in Jack
son’s house in a trunk. Jackson con
fessed the crime, and on Sunday night
hung himself in jail at Decatur, Ga.
foreign dispatches.
Railway Collision— The Eastern War
Cloud.
London, December 25.—A rtilway
ooilision in Hartfortshire killed flvo and
wounded thirty.
The mobilization of the three army
corps in Dalmatia, Crotia and Transyl
vain would be complete' but for tho ex
cessive number of horses and vehicles
required.
Belgium’s refusal to occupy Bulgaria
gives more of a warlike look. The pro
ject of reforms to be submitted omit
the occupation, and it is stated the
Porte will neither refuse or accept.
It is believed the Marquis of Salis
bury will remain permanently at Con
stantinople as Minister to Turkey.
London, December 26.—1 t is stated
the Marquis of Salisbury has tele-,
graphed to have a steamer in readi
ness to convey him to Greece should
tho Porte continue its unyielding tem
per. The population is warlike and
the situation critical. Russian steam
ers have ceased running in the Bluek
Sea.
A dispatch from Constantinople to
Reuter’s Telegraph Oompauy says:
“The Marquis of Salisbury will demand
to-day from the Sultan his acceptance
of the proposals agreed upon by the
Powers. Should the Sultan refuse,
Lord Salisbury is instructed to leave
Constantinople and order the British
fleet to quit Turkish waters.
Constantinople, December 26.—1 tis
understood all plenipotentiaries will
leave here should the Sultan reject the
proposal submitted to him to-day. The
respective Embassies would then be en
trusted with the direction of affairs.
Reports are current that the Turkish
Council of Ministers decided yesterday
to reject tho proposals, and that in the
event of war the Porte will arm its
Armenian, Greek, Bulgarian and Chris
tian subjects. Edeheita Pashas has
been appointed permanent President
of the Council of State.
Vienna, December 26.—The Political
Corresj>ondence says the latest news
received in Saint Petersburg indicate
that the Porte will give an evasive re
ply to the proposals. This would not
make the situation hopeless as the con
ditions submitted are not considered
unsusceptible of modification. A pro
longation of the armistice until January
15th is proposed.
Constantinople, December 26.—Pleni
potentiaries are said to exclude from
the term Bulgaria and all localities
where the Mussulmen are in a ma
jority. The Porte is still firmly resolv
ed not to make any concessions whicli
h contrary to the maintenance of the
integrity of the Empire, nor to grant
broad administrative authority to the
provinces, nor the disarmament of the
Mussulmen.
Le Phare Du Bosphore newspaper
to-day publishes an article on the crisis,
which concludes as follows : “Non sin
conic people will never consent to beiug
sacrificed to panslavaism, but will fight;
and if victorious will have the satisfac
tion of having saved not only national
existence but British interests.”
* Mexican News.
Havana, December 26.—A French
mail steamir from Vera Cruz has ar
rived at the City of Mexico. Iglesias’
government is established at Quere
taro, 150 miles from the Capital. The
States of Guanajota, Buerclaro, Aqua
pcaliento, Zacadetas, Durango, Simlis,
Poloi, Jalisco, Calima, Sonora, Sivoioa
and Tobsco recognize Iglesias. The
States of Mexico, Hidalgo, Pueblo,
Vera Cruz and Onzaca are occupied by
the Diaz troops. Diaz has assumed a
military dictatorship under tho title of
Provincial President, to hold the exec
utive power until an election is held. Ac
cording to grounds assumed by both
Iglesias and Diaz, the election cannot
be legally held while any of the States
are occupied by either army. Diaz’s
term is indefinite, as is also Iglesias’.
Both are provisional Presidents, and
will remain so until one side vanquish
es the other. Iglesias has about 12,000
good troops, while Diaz has 18,000 of
every grade; but he is well provided
with artillery, in which Iglesias is de
ficient. On the 6th instant, a column
of six thousand men, with twenty-five
howitzers and ten rifled cannon, left
Mexico for Queretaro, which makes in
all ten thousand men who are now
marching upon that place. Iglesias has
about seven thousand troops in Quere
taro, with six pieces of artillery. This
force is sufficient to garrison the place,
which is strong and easily defended.
In a few days these forces wifi corn
front each other. The result is doubt
ful. All parties are anxious to be
recognized by the United States.
South American News.
Panama, December 16.—The Commis
sioner from Europe to make anew
survey for the new canal across the
Isthmus has commenced work.
Nothing from the seat of war since
the departure of the steamer. The
general state of affairs are unsettled
and unsatisfactory.
Marine Disasters.
London, December 26.—At least one
hundred persons were lost Friday and
Saturday off the northeast coast of Scot
land. Total within the last fortnight
two hundred and fifty men and twenty
vessels.
Crimes and Casualties.
Chattanooga, December 25.—George
Pease and Chris Smith quarreled in the
latter’s saloon to-day. Pease went to
a gun store, procured a pistol, returned
and shot Smith in three places. Smith
returned the fire, shooting Pease in two
places. Both are probably fatally i
jured.
New York, December 26.— During an
entertainment at tho Newark Opera
House last night, a youngster mistook
the sudden concentration of a calcium
light on the scene for a blaze of fire,
and shouted, “Fire, Fire!” A stam
pede took place. The audience was
finally quieted, aud the performance
proceeded. A woman and boy were
badly crushed, bat not fatally.
New York, December 26.—A number
of rowdies attacked the occupants of
two sleighs last night on Hackensack
plank road, near Weehawken oil docks.
After snow balling them a fight ensued,
in which three of the party were
stabbed and two of the ladies badly
kicked and otherwise misused.
A Montreal dispatch reports the
burning of the Convent near Joliet.
Eight pupils are missiug.
Joliktte, Quebec, December 26. —The
Convent at St. Elizabeth was destroyed
by fire last night. One hundred per
sons were in the building. The panic
was very great, and nine children suf
focated. Their bodies were recovered.
It is said four more children are miss
ing. Loss $60,000; partially insured.
Insurance dialogue ; “Jannie.why do
you not be after the getting the life of
you insured ?” “An’ why should I, my
honey ?” “Ah, indade, that after you
are dead and gone, you may be sure of
a comfortable subsastence for yourself
and family.”
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 27. 1876.
CONGRESSIONAL.
Proceedings of the Senate Yesterday,
j December 26.—1n the
j Senate fifteen members were present.
By consent, Mr. Mitchell* of Oregon,
was added to the Committee on Privi
leges an & Elections, and the Senate ad
journed to Friday.
Nominations—Nelson Truster, United
St#*es District Attorney for Indiana;
James M. Curry, Collector of Customs
at St. Marks, Florida.
Confirmations—Truster, District At
torney for Indiana.
■
* * * LOUISIANA. * J ®
The Investigations.
New Orleans, December 24.—The
Congressional Commissioners here have
adjofiroed Until Tuesday. Some ofthe
members wifi probably go on an excur
sion to the Jetties. The House Sub-
Corn mi flees are at work at Baton
Rouge, Mor.ioe and Shreveport. The
Shreveport committee completed their
labors tbero to-day, and go to Mans
field. Nothing startling was develop
ed. A special from Monroe says that ]
witnesses of high character, before the
sub committee, contradict In every
essential particular Eliza Piukston’s
story. A special to the Republican
from Shreveport says the investigation
there shows irregularities in the count
ing of the votes, and fully sustains the
action of the Returning Board.
New Orleans, December 25.—Rumors
are current of 4 combination between
Pinchbaek, WarmoMi and the Demo
crats, whereby the Democrats concede
the Senatorships for the State Govern
ment to the Republicans, and says it is
impossible for either party to carry out
the contract.
New Orleans, December 26. —The
Senate Committee are all present. The
Chairman appointed Wadleigh, McMil
lan and McDonald a sujj-committee to
take testimony of Mrs. Pinkstoa. Mr.
McDonald submited an order that the
Returning Board be directed to furnish
certified copies ef the consolidated
statements of votes, the statements of
Supervisors of registration and the
statement of the polls not roturned by I
the Supervisors of registration of va
rious parishes and polls, as the Com
mittee had no information whatever in
regard to polls and votes rejected by
the Supervisors.
Mr. Howe said while ho was opposed
to embarrassing the Returning Board
at the present time, he would assure
the minority that everything essential
in getting at the facts of the investiga
tion would be cheerfully granted. The
question, therefore, was again post
poned.
The House Committee adopted the
following:
Resolved, That the Chairman com
municate to the House of Representa
tives the failure and refusal of Wm-
Orton, President of the Western Union
Telegraph Company, to appear and
testify and to bring with him all tele
grams in his possession or under his
control, sent or received by persons
named in the subpoena served upon him,
the said Orton ; also as a part of said
communication, the letter of said
Orten to the Chairman, dated Decem
ber 25th, 1876, aud such testimony to
E. W. Barnes before the committe as
relates to tho instructions given him,
the said Barnes, by the said OrtOD, in
relation to producing before the com
mittee the telegrams required to be
produced before the committee by the
said Barnes, the said default or re
fusal of instructions to said Barnes, ia
the opinion of the committee, being in
contempt of the process or the House.
New Orleans, December 26.—C01. J.
W. Patton, Chairman of the Democratic
State Committee, testified before the
Senate Committee, giving an elaborate
history of the campaign, the general
tenor going to show that the Demo
cratic leaders deemed a peaceful elec
tion of paramount importance, and
their plaus in that direction were suc
cessful.
New Orleans, December 23.— The
House Committee is accumulating evi
dence of intimidation of Democratic
negroes; also, a full history of how affi
davits seem to have been made.
What Morrison will Report to the
House.
New Orleans, 26.—Mr. Morrison will
report to the House that the action of
Barnes, Manager of the New Orleans
office, and Ortoli, President of the Tel
egraph Company, show a purpose on
Orton’s part to hinder the investiga
tion, which the House might regard in
contempt of its authority.
FLORIDA.
The Decision of the Supreme Court to
be Sustained, and the Canvass made
According to its Directions.
Tallahassee, December 26.—Gov
ernor Stearns says the decision of tho
Supreme Court settles the eloction
question in the State, and he has ad
visod Canvassing Board to obey
the orders of the Court. Secretary of
State McLinn notified the other mem
bers of the Board to meet in his office
at eleven o'clock to-morrow to canvass
according to the Court’s mandate.
An apparently well founded rumor
is afloat this morning that instructions
have been telegraphed here from
Washington to disregard the orders of
the Court. Whether there is truth in
this or not, It is not probabie the
Board will regard them.
The Senate Committee concluded
their labors here and left foi Jackson
ville this morning.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Decision of the Supreme Court in the
Case of the Tilden-Hayes Electors.
Columbia, December 26.—The motion
to the Supreme Court to remove the
quo ivarranlo proceedings by the
Tilden electors against the Hayes
electors in South Carolinna, which had
been argued by the United States
District Attorney Corbin for tho mo
tion, and by Mr. Barker and Mr.
Youmans against it, was decided to
day. Juetice Willard declared the
opinion, refusing the motion to re
move the case to the United States
Circuit Court, under the act of Con
gress of 1875.
Gov. Grover En Route to Washington.
San Francisco, December 25.—Gov.
Grover is here en route to Washington.
The Democrats gave him a public re
ception.
San Francisco, December 26,—Gov.
Grover, of Oregon, left this morning
for Washington. Last evening he was
serenaded at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Gov. Irwin, who Introduced him, said
Gov. Grover’s action would have the
effect to imply Congress to go behind
the face of the returns, in which case
it was belived the Senate would refuse
to give Hayes the elective vote. Gov.
Grover spoke very briefly, justifying
the constitutionality of his action.
Resolutions were adopted endorsing
Gov. Gover’s course; About 2,000 or
3,000 persons were present.
HON. B. H. HILL.
AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE DIS
TINGUISHED GEORGIAN.
A Calm View of the Situation—He Ex
plains His Position—The Attitude of
Parties.
House of Representatives, )
Washington, D. C., December 21. j
My Dear Sir: I trust you will be
lieve me when I assure you that your
letter is esteemed as worthy to come
from one who has been a “life-long
friend,” as you truly style yourself.
Every mail is bringing me letters from
every section of the Union, and those
from the South disclose a “panic”
among my friends which is most re
markable.
I will not pretend that I am insensi
ble to the effect which may be produc
ed on my personal political fortunes,
but I do say that my chief solicitude
is excited by far different and, I will
add, by far higher considerations.
If the reputation of a public man cau
be tarnished by agencies so trifling and
so false as those now at work, then
there can be little encouragement for
unselfish patriotism.
I do not pretend that I have served,
or can serve, my country with ability,
but I can say that I have given, and
am now giving, under most embarrass
ing disadvantages, to that country the
very best abilities I possess.
Luder the severest trials I have
a record of fearless fidelity in
Southern civilization and manhood, and
of unflinching adherence to constitu
tional government which no man can
deny. But what is all this worth if it
can have no effect in protecting me
from irresponsible squibs from Wash
ington city, some of which at least are
inspired, and many encouraged, by the
most unworthy motives possible? If
such squibs, whether thoughtless or
designing, can throw friends into a
panic and encourage enemies to refresh
their malignity with the stereotyped
slang, “I always told you he wa3 not
reliable!” then our free institutions
and popular government have arrived
at a period where a public man can
have no proteetion save in tho nothiug
ness of his imbecility or the callous
ness of his corruption. He is safe
alone when he does nothing that fools
can criticise, or does only whal hirelings
will puff for a consideration.
Now, sir, Ido not believe the people
of Georgia have arrived at this point,
and I shall do them the justice to say
that I have not the slightest fear that
they wilf allow themselves to be made
parties to the wrongs which some are
now plotting against me. On the con
trary I do not doubt that when they
know the truth, as they will know it,
they will approve me with cheerfulness
and unanimity ; and, iu the meantime,
they wifi not withdraw that confidence
and trust without which I shall be
powerless to serve either them or my
self.
What have I done or said that
“friends should be alarmed and one
mies encouraged,” as numerous letters
say? Without going iuto details (as I
wifi not be cowardly enough now to
do), I will state some facts:
1. Since the assembling of this ses
sion of Congress tho Democratic mem
bers of the House have met three
times in general caucus. I have made
but one motion in general caucus, and
that motion was adopted unanimously.
There was not a dissenting voice—not
one. I accompanied that motion with
a short speech, the temper and spirit
of which every man in the caucus ap
proved, and the main point of which
was warmly agreed to by a large ma
jority, including, I believe, every mem
ber from the Southern or late Confed
erate States, and certainly every one
present from Georgia.
2. We have had frequent confer
ences, composed of a limited number
of Democrats, from five to twenty in a
conference. To several of these I have
been invited, and attended. In these
conferences I have made several mo
tions and suggestions. Every one I
have yet made has been adoptsl. On
one or two occasions my suggestions
have been received with a considera
tion that was pleasant, and adopted
with expressions that were flittering.
This is my work. What am I charg
ed with?
J. It is said that I have expressed
distrust of Northern Democrats, and
speeches to this effect are filling tne
papers as if made by me. Not a single
word published on this subject is true
—not one.
2. It is said that myself and other
Southern men have lost faith in the
election of Mr. TildeD, and have made,
or are making, or are willing to make
some bargain or trade or arrangement
with Mr. Hayes. All intimations of this
kind are simply manufactured—manu
factured by sensational hirelings for
Republican uso and benefit. Mr. Til
don and the Democratic party are re
duced to a sad hope of success if the
silly or designing Democrats who-nffect
to believe such charges are to be ac
cepted as the only t: usted adviseis of
the party.
It might be interesting to give you
an explanation of how easily a public
man here may be misrepresented by
news gossips and interviewers—aud
especially if he be a public man who is
worth misrepresenting, but I have not
the time to do so now.
A few words in conclusion. The poli
tical situation was never so critical as
now. Our constitutional system is on
a magazine of powder and ten thous
and fools, and some that are not fools,
are striking matches all around it.
None but cool men and patriots who
love country more than office can avert
the most horrible civil war Ahat ever
disgraced and destroyed liberty and
humanity. And yet there never was
less excuse for aDy war in the history
of the world.
Such a war, if it come, will bo the
culmination of human crime in the
dastardly destruction of human rights
by a disgraceful scramble for office !
In the late election both Mr. Tilden
and Mr. Hayes received some votes.
Will it not be better to have either for
President than to have a ruler who re
ceived no votes ? He Is too stupid for
argument who does not see that the
last alternative is possible. But whoever
may or may not be made President by
returnings boards or bayonets, one
thing is certain : Mr. Tilden cannot aud
will not be made President unless he is
made so by p fair honest count of the
votes of the people.
That count can be neither fair nor
honest unless it be had under inter
pretations of the Constitution long ae
cepted and by methods of procedure
loDg established. The party that now
demands new interpretations, or anew
form or method of count will be a par
ty in rebellion and treason against the
Constitution, tho Union and the peo
ple.
I am, therefore, in favor of a fair
and honest constitutional count of the
votes of the people.
I am laboring to secure that count,
and when secured, I shall abide its re
sult ; and so will every other man
North and South who is not willing to
destroy his country.
I am brave enough to want peace,
but not cowardly enough to accept dis
honor.
It is unpleasant now to have to write
letters, and I confess, a little wound
ing to lhy pride to be called on by
friends to deny charges so plainly
absurd, and so wickedly circulated.
But I will make an allowance for a
natural anxiety in these evil times.
I ask you, therefore, to give this let
ter to the press, and 1 respectfully ask
every paper In Georgia to give it an
insertion.
I make one request of the people of
Georgia and that is that they will be
lieve nothing ascribed to me unless It
appears over my own signature or In
the official proceedings of Congress. I
can see no other possible protection
from misrepresentation.
I believe we can avert all the calami
ties I now so much dread. If we can
peacefully inaugurate the man elected
by the people, we shall have anew and
long lease of Constitutional Govern
ment. If we cannot, then our beauti
ful, glorious and Constitutional system
will perish and my friends will find me
on the front line of the last fatal charge
in its defense. Yours very truly,
Benj. H. Hill.
A. B. Culberson, Esq,, Atlanta, Ga.
ISavannah News.)
Another Open Letter from Hon. B. H.
Hill. -
Desirous of giving Hon. B. H. Hill
every facility to place himself in his
true character before the people of
Georgia we give place to tho following
postal card, received from that gentle
man yesterday:
“Washington, December 22, 1876.
% ‘J. H.EstiU, IF. T. Thompson, Savannah,
Ga.:
“If the people of Georgia fully know
how dishonorable, lying and Infamous
the News in recent issues has been to
wards mo, not a decent Democrat in
the State would read the paper.
“B. H. Hill.”
We have no comment to make on the
above, further than to say that we are
perfectly willing to have'the “decent
Democrats” of Georgia to judge be
tween ourselves and Mr. Hill’
I'Sava imah Nows.),
Mr. Li i 1 I’d Explanation.
On our lira I page we publish the open
letter of Hon. IS. H. Hill to his friend,
A. B. Culberson, Esq., of Atlanta, in ex
planation of his recent political course,
which has not ody been the sub
ject of disparaging comment by
the Democratic press North and
South, but has been, as he him
self admits, the cause of a most
extraordinary “ panic ” among his
friends. We confess to our disappoint
ment in reading this letter; for, much
as we have deplored un i condemned
Mr. Hill’s seeming overtures towards
our enemies—the conspirators and rev
olutionists, who are seeking by fraudu
lent and violent means to perpetuate
their power in deilauco or the will of
the people, and his irritating and unjus
tifiable denunciations of our Northern
friends, when the unity and harmony
of the National Democracy offers the
only rational hope of restoring consti
tutional government—we did hope that
his promised explanation, if it did not
entirely establish our confidence in his
judgment and political integrity, would
at least relieve him from the odium of
wilful persistence in wrong.
Mr. Hill does cot deign to go into
details in explaining his conduct—that
he is net cowardly enough to do—but
rests his defense on a general denial of
the charges againt him. The charges
against Mr. Hill are specific, and are
either true or falsa. To our mind, it
would have been equally courageous,
and much more satisfactory to his
friends, if he had met them with direc
tion and detail. He does not deny that
he aspersed the Northern Democrats
as unworthy of Southern confidence,
or that lie expressed to the interviewer
of the New York llerald his acquies
cence in, and his hopes from the in
auguration of Mr. Hayes as President.
This, too, in the face of the notorious
fact that Mr. Tilden has been legally
olected to that position. Mr. Hill may
have made motions in the Democratic
caucus that were “received with a con
sideration that was pleasant, and adopt
ed with expressions that were gratify
ing ‘to his vanity.’ And he may not
have uttered all the speeches nor said
all in his interviews that is printed in
the Northern papers. But did he taunt
the Northern Democrats in caucus with
duplicity and cowardice? Did he hold
out the idea to tho interviewer bf the
Herald that Mr. Hayes would be ac
ceptable, under the circumstauces, to
tho Southern people? These are the
heads of Mr. Hill’s offending. If he
uttered the sentiments attributed to
him, he has no right to complain of the
condemnation he has received, or to
wouder that his “friends should be
alarmed and his enemies encouraged.’’
It will not do for Mr. Hill to charge
the censures which his remarkable
course as a representative of the De
mocracy has elicited to the “most un
worthy motives possible,” nor to de
nounce bis critics as “fools” and “hire
lings.” He is right perhaps in saying
that “the political situation was never
so critical as now,” that our constitu
tional system is on a “magazine of
powder,” but he must not let his visions
of bomb-shells and powder magazines
turn bis head and prevent him front
taking a statesman-like view of
the situation, and tho proper way
to avert the threatened danger.
He does Mr. Tilden and the
Democracy of the Union gross injus
tice when he characterizes the present
political issue as “a disgraceful scram
ble for office.” It is not a scramble for
office, but a bold and reckless attempt
at revolution—an attempt on the part
or the liadical conspirators to usurp
the offices and the powers of the Gov
ernment. And it is not the way to de
ter them from consummating their
treasonable plot, to give them notice
in advance that the people are readv
to surrender their rights and their lib
erties, and to acquiesce in their suc
cessful usurpation— to say, in effect that
as ‘-in the late election both Mr. Til
den and Mr. Hayes received some
votes,” it will be better to have Mr
Hayes for President than to resist usur
pation, and maintain the Constitution
al right of self-government by the
people. This was Mr. Hiil’s position in
his interview with the New York Her
ald man, and this is Mr. Hill’s position
as explained in his letter of explana
tion. Ail his talk about a fair count
arter this admission is not calculated
to encourage the friends of Mr. Tilden,
nor discourage the schemes of the
friends of his defeated opponent, Mr.
Hayes.
Mr. Hill thioks when his true posi
tion comes to be known by the people
of Georgia, they will approve him
“with cheerfulness and unanimity.”
We beg to assure him that while he
holds the balance of his choice for
President so evenly between Hayes
and Tilden, and while he commends
,the former to the confidence of the
Democracy, and denounces our North
ern Democratic allies as cowards and
traitors unworthy of confidence, he
will find in his own State a very large
majority, among them “some who are
not fools,” who will dissent from the
wisdom or patriotism of his policy.
GRANT’S CHRISTMAS GIFT.
PROMISES TO DO THE SQUARE
THING BETWEEN TILDEN AND
HAYES.
Declares that His Political Prefer
ences will not Influence His Action—
Reminds ns how He Gave Arkansas
to the Democrats—Thinks the Pend
ing Congressional Investigations in
the Sonth will Settle the Presiden
tial Question—The Future Move
ments of the Grant Family.
Washington, Sunday, December 24.
The President to-day accorded another
Interview to Mr.Gobright, tho agent of
the Associated Press. The conversa
tion was of a social and somewhat ex
planatory character. Gen. Grant said,
in reply to a question, that he had no
knowledge of a Democratic armed con
spiracy in the Sonth or West, as had
been reported. He had information
merely of the existence of organized
rifle companies in tho South outside of
the militia. Ho was not approheusive
of aimed collisions iu connection with
the Presidency, no matter what might
be the fears of others, All the people
desired, lie thought, was a fair count
of the electoral vote in the Southern
contested States, in order to t o satisfied
of the result, iuercpoits of the sev
eral committees now there on the true
condition of affairs would, he believed,
have a tendency to solve the existing
political difficulties. It was cer
tainly desirable to establish the
actual fact of the election of either
Hayes or Tilden, for neither of them
would feel satisfied if nny doubt re- '
mained of his election, because, in such |
a case, his position as President would
aot command the general support re
quired for that station. The President
remarked that no one could suppose
that he had any connection with or re
lation to the declaration as to who was
elected. That must be determined by
the legislative branch of tho govern
ment, when he would gladly make way
for his successor. He was now anxious
for the coming of the 4th of March,
when he would be freed from official
cares. Before re-establishing him
self at his home in Galena, Illi
nois, where he owns a house, he
proposes making a voyage to
the West Indies, visiting Havana
and other points of interest. He has
deferred his voyage to Europe till
June, for the reason that his youngest
son, Jesse, will not graduate until that
time, and he is desirous of taking his
son with him. The President said that
during his Presidential terms his
health had been very good, and it was
now excellent. Kecurring to tho re
cent electiou, he remarked that he
should promptly recognize whoever
should be declared his successor.
With thu his political feeling would
have notning to do. It must be recol
lected that several years ago, during
the Gubernatorial contest in the State
of Arkansas, and when both parties
represented their respective cases at
Washington, he recognized the Demo
crats in preferance to the Republi
cans, because by legal representation
the former were entitled to the
position. While it was true that the
Presidential term commences by law
on the fourth of March, it does not
necessarily follow that tho President
elect should defer taking the oath of
office until that time. He might take
it immediately after the declaration of
his election, and enter on the perform
ance of his duties as President on the
fourth of March, the day of the retire
ment of his predecessor. The Presi
dent intends to reply to the House res
olution calling for information as to
the sending of troops to the South,
and the authority under which he did
so. Iq all such proceedings he endeav
ored to keep within the limits of the
law. having always, previous to acting,
consulted the Attorney-General, his
legal adviser ; and, besides, the Demo
cratic House of Representatives, dur
ing the former session of Con
gress, emphatically declared that all
citizens of the United States should be
protected in their rights. He further
said, ‘with regard to the sending of
troops to the south, though it was for
the above mentioned purpose, it would
be remembered that Gen. Frank Blair
wanted troops sent there for a differ
ent purpose, saying in his letter to Col.
Broadhead, in June, 1868, that there
was but one way to restore the Gov
ernment and the Constitution, and that
was for the President to declare the
reconstruction acts null and void, and
compel the army to undo the al
leged usurpations at the South,
and leave the white people to re
organize their own governments.
“Surely,’’ said the President, “if
the army, according to General Blair,
could be used to wipe out govern
ments, it could, in my opinion, be used
to support them. The Democratic
National Convention, after tho leiter
was written, nominated Gen. Blair for
Vice President, on the ticket with Gov.
Seymour. The Republican State Gov
ernments at the South had nothing to
expect from tho Democrats. Under
their rule all such governments would
fade out, as in Mississippi, where
Gen. Ames was legally elected Gover
nor, but was forced to vacate the office
and is now a fugitive from the State.
%
A Clash uf Authority.
Louisville, Ky., December 24.
Yesterday a lieutenant or the city
police called at the United States
Marine Hospital here with a warrant
for the ariest of Joseph Ford, a negro
patient. Dr. F. J. Griffiths, the sur
geon in charge, told the officer that he
had no right to arrest Ford by civil
process, holding that the government
hospital is no part of the Common
wealth of Kentucky, but a district ex
clusive within the jurisdiction or the
United States Court. The lieutenant
sought legal advice, and was informed
that he did have tfco right to arrest the
man. He returned to take charge of
Ford, and, meeting the surgeon, was
told that Ford had been discharged
and had left for parts unknown. The
affair produced a decided sensation
here, especially among the legal fra
ternity.
Forty years ago there was a mau in
Boston who had six or seven very cor
pulent daughters. When asked how
many children he had, his answer was
generally something of this kind: “I
have three boys, and about tbiiteen
hundred weight of girls,”
SIX DOLLARS A YEAR
OPINION AT THE CAPITAL.
THE REPUBLICAN LINES Waver.
ING.
H sh^L¥ n sepudiHtin<rs epudiHtin<r Uie Mortan-
Programme-Position of
X* ie £ , Jußtl& * Waite-The Effort to
Biock Investigation in the South.
(Special Dispatch to the Philadelphia
Tiriiesj
Washington, December '*2.— The drift
of public sentiment here is unmistaka-
Peaceable inauguration
of Governor Tilden as President. It
may now be regarded as certain that
the Senffie will not consent to follow
the lead of Morton and Sherman in
their desperate policy of foiciug Pcusi
dent terry to assume the responsi
bility of counting the vote himself
and declaring Hayes elected. The
complication thrown into tho issue by
the action of Gov. Grover, of Oregon
has done much to unsettle the Morton-
Sherman programme. It had been de
cided that Ferry should fortify himself
in arbitrarily declaring the votes of
Florida and Louisiana for Hayee, be
hind the certificates of the Governors
of the States, on the assumption that
the appointment of electors was con
fided to the States by the Constitution
and that the certificate of the Governor’
under the seal of the State, could u,l
be inquired into; but that rule uow
would elect Tilden, as under it tho
Tilden vote in Oregon would have to
be counted. The daily protracted and
bitter debate on tho Oregon question
is but the ebullition of the thwarted
revolutionary Republican loaders in the
Senate, lor tue Democrats do not claim
that Tilden shall be declared eleetod
by that vote. It is Mottou and Sher
man petuleutly fighting their own dis
appointments.
Th** various expressions on the Pres
idential issue now arc marked by a de
gree of candor and freedom that was
not displayed a few weeks ago. Then
none knew where the party lines would
drive party men, and there was a gen
eral tendeucy to reticence; but. within
the last ten days, positive Republican
expressions are to be met with on every
hand denouncing any attempt to force
Hayes into the Presidency in accord
ance with tho administration plan. Tho
most significant declaration is that of
Chief Justice Waite, whose opinious
are not concealed on the issue, al
though he has expressed them with the
prudence that becomes his position.
He is the personal and political friend
and neighbor of Governor Hayes, aod
allfhis sympathies are naturally with t he
Republican candidate; but he has
declared that the result must de
pend upon the facts in tho dis
puted States, and that the pres
ent aspects of the controversy points
very strongly to the election and proper
Inauguration or Tilden. It is now well
understood in political circles here that
the Supreme Court cannot be trusted
to declare Hayes elected, strongly Re
publican as it is, and this development
has done much to demoralize tho
already weuk Morton-Sherman leader
ship. Generai Butler’s visit here has
also been a damper to the administra
tion. He refuses to stand up to tho
Louisiana and Florida returns, aud
proposes to remand the electiou back
to the people; but all concede that iu a
new election Tilden would sweep the
country like a whirlwind, because
of the very general conviction
that he was honestly elected in
November. Indeed, iu case or anew
electiou, it is not a secret that
Hayee would not be allowed to become
tho Republican candidate, because of
his association with the return board
frauds. It is now confidently expected
that there will be an organized and
overwhelming break in the Republican
side of the Senate against what is vul
garly called the “buli-dozing” policy 0 f
the administration to pat Hayes into
the Presidency, and it is quite proba
ble that Conkling, Blaine, Edmunds
Christiancy and Dawes will be
the bolters. Whenever the break is
once made there will be a general
stampede, and the Morton-Shermau
programme will be kicked oat of the
Senate.
There is fear and trembling about
the House demand for the telegrams
which passed between tho Republican
managers here and their associates in
South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana
It is known that the Return Boards
there acted under specific orders from
Sherman, Noyes, W. E. Chandler aud
others who attended them, and it is
known also that some very damagin -r
telegrams passed between them in the
desperate emergencies which arose,
if the telegrams shall be obtained it
will be shown that the Return Boards
of Florida and Louisiana were posi
tively instructed from Washington to
count in ail the Republican Congress
men, and that accounts for the unex
pectedly large majorities returned for
Hayes in those States. President Or
ton, of the telegraph company, has in
structed bis subordinates to reruso tho
telegrams to the Congressional Com
mittee, and it is not concealed that ho
does so to save the administration
from open shame. Slowly but surelv
the cause of an honest return of the
vote for President is gaining ground
aud it does not now seem possible to
prevent the peaceable inauguration of
Governor Tilden.
Minor Telegrams.
New York, December 20.— The Cel tin
brought 5200.000 and the Labrador
$50,000 in specie. Dr aJor
New York, December 20 The p
Office investigation develops nothing
ersailles, December 20 A fl r*
broke out in the Hall of the Denude*
S3S3& ‘“ iiou _ r °“°° t ' bul
The Southern Dry Goods Trade
IPb “" P “* <* Sew
Y\ e had occasion in a communication
at the opening of the fall season to re
fer to the brightened prospects
healthy trade for the figSgJSLa
now closing We regret that the “eki
tion muddle” has had the effect to sc
riously interfere with the fulfillment of
these hopes. More especially has this
boenthe case in the trade with
South; .1, branches
have naturally looked to this qjlf
eras a large market for dfelr
an< ? ““questionably
demand from it ha grown w 't £
development of their homo interim
since the close of the war
disturbed condition of Southern
cos has led our merchants to pursued
most conservative policy in a
their line* of Southern create USi
now the uncertainty of their
future has for the present aIS 01 * 1
pletely paralyzed thTtadTlfift
for 0 * , \ P re Parations being made
L™? Hf business. Lines of
goods strictly adapted for the Wk f
the South are muob short of thek usual
showings, manufacturers MefWw *
await the Western and hom J P g *2
i before putting on their full force*™* 11 *