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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 *