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THE INDEPENDENT.
#*Tt'HIV Y. HBFTKMBBH *O. I*TS.
J. C. 0 ALLA HER, Editor and Proprietor.
- 1
Both and lleither An Hermaphrodite
Annexationist.
The Madison Recorder, in it* last issue,
nibble* nt our article on the condition of
Florida, and so indistinct me it* nibbling*
that it is lieyond the stretch of our capaci
ty to determine the gender of it* produc
tion. In reference to our article he my s:
“He deplores our condition financially,
and aceiug no way out of our present ern
tmiTnasiiig cireuinstimces, except hy c.o
quetrv with the colored ulement, propose*
as a uemier resort the annexation of the
western part of the Htnto to Alabama, and
Middle Florida to Georgia."
This bungling mongrel criticism appears
over the signature of “A. A. E." which
indicate* that the Bectirtler is double bar
reled, and that there ia another gun to be
fired by someone else. But he i* waiting
to see what effect The Indkpkhdent's co
quetry will have on the colored element.
If A. A. E. is capable of reading our ar
ticle at) a* to understand it to encourage
any such a principle of coquetry with the
colored clement, he ia incapable of stoer
itig hi* little hark with any degree of mic
eoaa upon the great ocean of newspaper
commerce. There isn’t in our article a
single syllnhle that is, to a well balanced
mind, susceptible of such a construction.
Can it be when we Bnggest honest and
truthful dealing with the colored people,
so as to convince them of the frauds that
have been practiced upon them, that he
understands that to menu coquetry? If
truth and sincerity is coquetry, A. A. E.
certainly never practiced it since he lias
been a prominent member of the Radical I
party, for no man of sense and honor w ill
deny the assertion that the colored people
of Florida have been misled and deceived,
and that the embarrassed condition of the
State at present is the consequence of that
deception and frond.
We deny any suet) teachings in our ar
ticle; but we are. now as we have been all
the time since the political change in their
condition was wrought, the advocate of
truthful and honest effort to undeceive
their minds and import to them correct
ideas of citizenship. But so complete is
their deception that it is impossible to
convince them of their error until ruin
store* them in the face. If, through the
rail of deception, one ray of truth could
pwnotrate their minds, they would at once
abandon the course by which they have
hopelessly embarrassed the State, and like
all true citizens seek a remedy in nunoxa
tiou or something else; to benefit their
Bonutry. The Recorder saya:
“Now our own judgment prompts us to
favor annexation. Wo see no reason why
the annexation referred to would not. lie
highly beneficial to the [State of Florida ;
but that it would aiikn ho beneficial to the
States of Alabama and Georgia is it qum
tion of weighty importance to them) com
monwealths, aside front the fact, that
Florida aa she now stands, was purchased
from Hjmin by the General Government
fiir gs,o<X,o<X),ntid may be Congress would
throw its gigantiil self in the breach, and
exclaim stand baekl bare buck!”
This is a very singular meandering sort
of puragruph. His judgment prompts
him to favor annexation, and in his opin
ion it would bo highly beneficial to Flori
da -cun sec no reason why it would not bo.
But he suggests Iwo questions that h re
gards as weighty, affecting the practica
bility of the scheme. Let us weigh his
•questions and tost their potency. He
“sees no reason why the annexation pro
posed would not be highly beneficial to
Florida.” That is an expression uttered
iu total blindness, or else it is written with
non-committal view to leave him in posi
tion to take sides as party strength may
indicate personal benefits.
The benefits resulting to Florida (as
would be) depend entirely upon the stipu
lation or contracts made in the transfer of
ltd-western and middle divisions to Alabama
and Georgia. Florida will certainly look
to her interests, and make the transfer only
upon the condition of remuneration and
compensation; and she need give herself
ho uneasiness about the evils resulting to
Alabtunu and Georgia by the transfer, far
they- will both look to their interests, and
will make no stipuhitions that does not
embrace at least prospective benefits, even
though they be exceedingly remote.
The first question to settle is, are all the
parties willing to negotiate? leaving terms
out of the question. The next is, the
stipulations os to terms. We think that
wo could suggest terms of annexation that
would, if curried into effect, prove hope
lessly ruinous to the would bo Florida
ufter the transfer. We think we could
suggest terms that, if adopted, would be
very injurious to the States of Georgia
and Alabama; but nit agreement upon
atieli terms is not to bo anticipated in the
negotiations between -commonwealths.
So, to the Heconler we my, the terms of
the transfer are subjects of stipulation,
after the willingness of th parties to ne
gotiate is ascertained.
But the liooonkr suys:
“That Florida, as she now stands, was
purchased from Spain by the General Gov
ernment for $3,000,000.
\Ye can’t see that a political or financial
change in the status of Florida would
either weakeu Or strengthen the historical
fact that site was purchased by the Gen
eral Government from Spain for $5,000.-
000. Then why say as she now stands
she was purchased?
Aaguia he says:
“And may be Congress would throw its
gigantic self in the breach, and exclaim
stand back!"
This we think too sleazy for comment.
Florida has all the rights and immunities
of other States, and whether obtained by
conquest or purchase is not a question
that gives the Federal Government a ju
risdiction not exercised over other Slates.
The discussion of his objectionable ques
tion would bo entirely premature, as they
ore questions of stipulation after negotia
tions commence, ii at he says:
“Another thought. The middle portion
of this State is largely Republican. The
lender* of that party in the mildh- would,
and tlo now, oppose, and the question is
even Bottled without u blow being struck
for liberty.”
Thia i a very singular paragraph fora
man that favors annexation. In his first
paragraph lie make* the unwarranted as
sertion that we favor coquetry with the
colored element n* a dernier resort. This
he intends to he dished out to the colored
“element” hy the white “element,” so as
to infuse into them the spirit of opposi
tion that the leaders now possess. He an
ticipates result* from causes that he seems
to he perfectly familiar with. He shth
“the question is nettled without a blow be
ing struck for liberty." Why? Because
Middle Florida ha* a large Republican ma
jority. He says “annexation would be
beneficial to Florida. ” Does he intend
that as an admission (lint the Republican
party that ho affiliated with so long, and
the workings of which lie i* now so famil
iar with, is opposed to an enterprise that
would greatly benefit the State. Singular
policy to avow; a strange statesmanship,
indeed; a most wonderful adnii**ion that
the general weal is lost sight of in the in
terest* of partisanship. A. A. E. ought
to know the principles and policies of the
party, for he was their right bower a year
ago would have boon yet but they intro
duced into their game of euchre wind we
call a “yorker,” that caught the bower,
and A. A. E, didn.t get any in his. Ho ho
favors annexation, but iu the same para
graph adds fuel to the flume* of opposition
to the scheme, hy Baying that we arc “oo
quoting with the colored element,” and
also w arning the Republicans that they are
about to get into a Democratic State; and
also warning Georgia that the Republican
strength in Middle Florida is enormous.
It is to us astonishing that men can’t
soar above the contcmptibilitie* of parti
zans when questions of such infinite im
portance are involved. Now for a synopsis
of the Recorder'll solieisms.
He says annexation would be a benefit
to Florida, and that lie favor* it; but warns
the negro that wc are trying to ,coquet
him. In this he misrepresents us, for he
know* that wo said in the article above
referred to, "Ileal honestly and truthfully
with the colored umn and disabuse his
mind,” We arc satisfied that the Democrats
of Florida are too honest and truthful to de
ceive the black man; but unfortunately,
in a political sense, they are too proud to
undeceive and disabuse his mind.
Favors annexation, hut notifies the op
posing party to be on the alert to prevent
it by party strength. Favors annexation,
bat warns the other contracting parties
that their political destinies would lie
greatly jeopardized. Now, reader, this
synopsis of his argument has led us to the
conclusion tlrat the Recorder is an her
maphrodite annexationist What ia your
opinion?
We would respectfully suggest to the
Recorder in all its future issues to attach
to them some sort of variations that will
designate their gender.
THE POLITICAL EFFECT.
The transfer would not necessarily
change the polities of a single man. It
would not change the county lines. It
would not compel a Democrat to go tin re,
or a Republican to leave. Civil and po
litical rights being the same in both
States, the change would simply bo: Mid
dle Florida that is would become ,South
ern Georgia. Her counties and districts
would then, ns now, most likely be repre
sented in the State and National counsels
by Republicans.
■
Opening their Eyes.
Some of the colored people of Madison
county, Florida, are beginning to see and
realize the result of political trickery, and
have now an organization called the “Wool
Hat Boys.” The treachery and corrup
tion of the leaders are becoming .so mani
fest that even the dullest mind among
them can discern it. The Republicans of
Madison county have wlmt is generally
called the Court House Ring. This ring
is composed of the carpel-bug and soallu
wag officials of the county. The mem
bers of this ring co-operate so as to se
cure to each other all the offices,
both State and county, excluding all the
colored men but one from every position,
some of those greedy wretches holding as
many ns four tuid five positions, and when
the more sensible negroes discover these
monopolies and begin to clamor about it,
the great High Driest of Radicalism, with
various ex’s appended to his title, em
blematic of the past honors that have
been conferred upon him, calls a meeting
to harmonize the discordant elements, iu
order that he, the thriblilo ox Montgomery
might secure to himself the nomination
to till the vacancy in the State Senate, oc
casioned liy the promotion and resigna
tion of Dennis Eagan, generally known
iu Florida ns the ballot-box patentee. So
the devurs ex’d Montgomery proposed
a barbecue, to be held on the lfith nit.,
as an incentive to tile assembling of all
the disaffected Republicans, so-called, at
which barbecue, the aforesaid High Priest
proclaimed that, many bulls, billy goats
and rams should be sacrificed upon the al
tar to appease the wrath of the offended
mythical god of Republicanism, that the
discordant elements might be harmonized
and an additional ex appended to his high
ness, Oak Grove, near Madison, was the
place designated w re bulls, gouts and
rams should vicariously atone for the silts
of the Wool Hat Boys. Ho then and there
tile rings, cliques, wool bats and wool
heads assembled to witness the sacrifice
and partake of the feast munificently pro
vided by their great High Priest. But
when the hungry enquiriug assemblage
calk'd for the offerings to be sacrificed, to
wit: the bulls, billy goats and rums, the
High Priest’s committee oil sacrifices re
ported uon eat comatabns non eft arm steam
pub.i. This phraseology not being fully
comprehended or appreciated by the Wool
Hat Boys, they wrangled among them
selves, saying one to the other: “Thoy
promisod us beef, mutton and kid, and
like the mule and forty acres of laud, it
has turned out a lie. One sliiney
black, with his wool hat cocked on his
head, tomewliat hungry and much ex
cited, said: “Look beer, Pete, done fool
! ns agin, din nigger ain't gwine to blebe
dnt white man no wore."
Pete—Hu! ha! ha! Look beer, nigger,
done gone an let um fool you gin? Tell
; you wlmt it is, Sam, dat man Gumfy and
| Stripliu, too, boff togedder, can’t fool dis
| chile; done tole Dinah so las* night, and
! she and <le gids done briuig our grub.
| flu! ha! liu! Cum beer, nigger, I golly, I
| gin you some.
So the breech attempted to be healed
1 by tlie deceptive effort was widened, and
lmd like to have become a bloody chasm.
It is true that there was some show
I made for a dinner, hut the grab game was
| so effectually planned and played that the
j Wool Hat Hoys didn't get n showing.
I There were some fulminating speakers
i present who had to be delivered, promi
nent among whom was the aforesaid Mont
| ginnery and Joseph Stripling, the elector
in that district in opposition to Grunt last
fall, now State Solicitor of that Judicial
Circuit hy appointment of Governor Hurt,
! and senior editor of the political Hermaph-
I rodite. Montgomery's text was unity—
' not of the luces —but for all of the black
I men to unite upon him and elect him
State Senator, and any opposition to that
move would be calculated to disorganize
the Republican party and put the Demo
crats in power. Much of his speech was
| an apology for having Stripling appointed
I State Solicitor, lie being a Democrat, but
his apology didn’t satisfy the Wool Hat
j Hoys, nor win their confidence to his
1 friend Stripling. After he had closed his
| first foolish harrangue, Striplingwas called
|to the stand. He said he had acted with
; the Democratic party lust fall, and in his
, opinion there was no distinction between
j the Democratic and Republican parties.
|Ho was open to conviction; didn’t call
j himself a Democrat; the Republican party
was in power, and always would be. in
) Madison county. “Governor Hart is Gov-
I eruor of the State; he is an holiest man,
and lam for supporting him.” Tried to
intimidate the Wool Hat Boys, and ad
vised the Republicans to stick to their
leaders. The Republicans had given them
their freedom, with privileges of seat* in
j first-class railroad cars, and equal rights
!at hotels. He was a friend to Mr. Eagan,
; and the object of the poor men’s clubs
was to break him down. He was Eagan's
| friend, and he was indebted to him for
office and many favors. He had no oli
i jection to Montgomery or Osgood going
|to the Senate; both were good men. He
! was a friend to both. “But as to the Wool
I Hat organization,’’ he said, “turn your
1 hands and knock it in the hoiul, it will
destroy the glorious Republican party that
I put you in the jury box.”
Now, Joe, you are neither Democrat
or Ivepubliemi, white nor black, gal nor
boy, what in the are you ? Let ns
tell you: If you haven’t got long ears you
are a prodigy, there has been a freak in
nature, and the asses have failed in the
I legitimate propagation of their race. Wc
therefore suggest a measurement of your
ears, and if their length won’t justify
naming you after their kind, that you,
with your correct history, be seat to some
of the zoological gardens or anatomical
museums, ns the world’s wonder—a short
eared as* of indefinite gender.
The chairman of that meeting was one
of that peculiar race of people who, in
early life have their fore (not teeth) cut,
but now niggerizes w ith wonderful pro
ficiency.
We would like to make one enquiry of
Mr. Stripling, for him to answer to his
own conscience: When he wo* canvass
ing Florida last year, tho advocate of Mr.
Greeley’s election to the Presidency, if in
his vindication of Democratic principles,
and denunciation of the Radical party, ho
was dealing treacherously and falsely with
the party ho was then identified with. If
not, when did he cease to endorse those
principles, and when did ho discover tho
glories of tin- Republican party, ami does
the glory of that party, in hi* estimation,
consist in the net which gives to the negro
the light to seats in first-class railroad
oars, and the right to sleep with him in
hotels? Now Joe says it is a glorious
party, because it freed the negroes, ami
enfranchised them, and give them equal
rights with the white people, in all public
houses and public conveyances. Wouldn't
its glory to him be greatly enhanced if it
would furnish him with a thick-lipped,
kinky-headed, flat-footed, flounder-nosed
wife, who could perpetually delight his
double-refined olfactories with, to him,
her glorious native perfume, brought with
her from nature’s own great work shop.
Give her to him, Floridians, fill his cup
with bIiRH, and let his glory culminate.
In thus speaking of Joe wo refer only
to his political course, socially we have
uutliing against him, personally we. used
to like him, and now regret that his greed
for office has run him into these gross ex
cesses.
-— —,—w
Tho Printers’ Pic-Nie at Hartford, Con
necticut.
We clip the, following from the Hart
ford Keening Post of the 9th inst:
The printers’ pie-nic at, Boarduuui’ grove
yesterday was largely attended, and all
present had a very enjoyable time. The
contest for the two prizes offered to the
best compositors were taken, the first by
H. W. Dennis, and the second by Chris.
Wall. A large number of printers from
.Slier cities aud towns were present, aud
participated iu the festivities.
The successful contestant for the first
prize at the above named pie-nic is a native
of North Ciivolina—u thorough bred “tar
heel”—and by his skill, both native and
acquired, is now, though quite a young
man, one of the best compositors in the
United States. He is a younger brother
of our Foreman, Mr. I*’. AY. Dennis, whose
qualifications as a printer may be decided
by the complexion and general arrange
ment of The Independent. We are
proud of the successes mid triumphs of
our Southern boys iu their contests with
the Yankees. We in the South have the
intellect and taste, and till that is wanting
is tlie energy to excel the Northerners in
every contest in science aud art.
State Gossip.
Brunswick still eric* for street-lamps.
The Early (Jaunty Xeics runs a machine
it calls a “French editor.”
Pulaski county has organized a Farmer’s
Grange.
Savannah brags of having the first oys
ters of the season.
Morgan county has used over one hun
dred tons of fertilizers this year.
A convention of Georgia millers will be
held in Augusta on the 24th.
We learn that the editor of the Valdosta
Time,* is sick, but two ladies run the ma
chine for him.
We learn of the death of Mr. John M.
Crump, who died at his residence near j
Mobley's Crossing on the sth.
We learn that Gen. Henry R. Jackson,
of Savannah, is in attendance at the Wash-•
ington comity Superior Court.
A white man in Merriwcathcr comity !
was recently baptised into the fellowship I
of a negro church, a negro performing the
ceremony.
Savannah now ran* a sausage manufac
tory. The citizens had better inve.st in
tax-paid collars for the use of the canine \
portions of their families.
A dredging machine is now busily en
gaged iu deepening the channel of the
Hsvanhah river in front of the wharves of
the Upper Hydraulic Prim
Two train hands got into a scuffle on
the B. k A. R. R. the other day, anil the
consequence of which was the breaking
of a frying-pan and a coupling-bolt over
the heads of each other.
The Georgia Good Templars have again
hatched up the negro question. The \
question of how many of their members
take an occasional nip behind the door !
would bn more appropriate.
Two gentlemen of Augusta, Messrs, ;
Berry Benson and W. 11. Hitt, who have
been long connected with the cotton trade
of that city, are now the happy possessors
of the snug little sum of §1,710, drawn
from the great Augusta Cotton Pool.
Wc uro informed that while the work
men engaged iu excavating the ground
the other day for the new Sitvaunah
Catholic Cathedral, some of them dug lip
a human skull and the bones of a hum n
body. The fact created quite a sensation |
for a short time.
A colored citizen residing in a portion
of Savannah known ns Robertsville, hail a i
little trouble with hi* wife the other day,
and revenged himself hy ripping open the
family mattress, taking all the cotton out,
and hastening to n junk shop with it.
where ho disposed of it for onsli.
This from the Hawkinsville THxpulrh: j
“At the residence of their mother, Mrs. :
Mary A. Carter, near Madison, Oh., on .
August 30th, Miss Sadie Carter died at
half-past twelve o’clock, and within one j
hour her youngest sister, Miss Nannie j
Carter, followed lier- both dying of con- j
gestion, after suffering with billious fever j
about one week/'
A correspondent of the Valdosta Time*,
who ha* been along the line, says: “From
Valdosta, westward, until you pass station j
17, ns a general tiling, I found good crops; j
from Lawton to Valdosta the extreme wet
weather ha* injured corn and cotton to n i
considerable extent, but from appearances 1
T think the average yield will lie about 25 :
per cent above that of last year. The !
caterpillars have not injured the cotton.
From Camilla to Albany the crop prospect
is not very flattering. Corn is very small, ;
as is also the cotton plant, and in spots, :
where the land is rich and tlm plant luxu j
riant, tho rust and caterpillars have en
tirely deprived it of its foliage, and a j
larger portion of its fruit. Farmers any a I
two-thirds crop is all that can he looked 1
for.
There has been recently in Savannah a
little rumpus between two Radical Custom '
House officials, growing out of some mis- 1
understanding not fully made know n. It
most likely, wc are inclined to think, grew
out of an official dereliction iu n division :
of the grabs. As that is the legalized game
of the party, Bosch ought to have divided, ’
and ought not to have been impudent
when the demand was nmde. It turned
out all right, however; Bosch got a whip
ping from the Inspector as pay for his
impudence. The Inspector got nil the
glory for whipping him, with the pleasure
of paying fifty dollars to the Boss for the
inestimable privilege. The Boss, no doubt, :
appropriated the fifty dollars to his own
use, as a fine for offending His Majesty’s
highness by fighting about things that
won’t do to tell, An Ethiopian can’t
change his skin,nor a leopard his spots, ;
nor a Radical his disposition to—every- .
body knows.
Mexican War YktkSUxs. -There wilK
boa celebration at New York on the 15th
instant by the survivors of the military and
naval forces engaged iu the Mexican War.
The participants will be welcomed iu the
Governor’s room at the city hall by the
New York municipal authorities, after
which an oration will be delivered, proba- \
bly by Hon. Caleb Cushing, at some public
hall. Tho committee of arrangements,
headed bp General Joseph Hooker includes ;
a large number of army, navy aud ex-vol- '
uuteer officers.
The brigands have dissappoared from
Greece. There has now been no case of
brigandage reported there for eighteen
months. About’* “King of the Mountains” j
promises Ui become a study of the past.
The extirpation of lawlessness is due, it is
said, to the complete understanding be- :
tween Greece and Turkey, whereby the
frontier is strictly guarded.
Judge Drummond, of the United States
Court in Illinois, has decided that under
the bankruptcy net suspensions of pay
ment on one note for the period of fourteen
days is sufficient to constitute an net of in
solvency. That decision might throw many j
men into bankruptcy, who is pefeetly able,
if allowed a little time, to me et his engage
ment.
Florida New*.
Improvement in all the go in Lake City.
Yellow fever is said to be raging in Pen
sacola.
Jacksonville boasts of an efficient City
Council.
They are building a shell road at St. Au
gustine.
A boy is on exhibition in Jacksonville
somewhat resembling an alligator.
Jacksonville has a surplus of “profes
sional thieves.” Something new (?) i*
always springing up in Jacksonville.
A rattlesnake was killed in the vicinity
of Moutioello recently six feet long, with
twelve rattles and a button.
Monticello is said to be in a prosperous
condition. There is not a store in the
town but will be occupied this season.
Two large droves of cattle, numbering
437 and 800 head, passed through Madison
recently en route for Cuba.
The fish dealers iu Jacksonville refuse
to sell less than 25 cent* worth of fish.
“Three mullet for a quarter!” is the cry.
Hon. W. W. Moore, late of Lake City,
is now local editor of the Jacksonville
Union.
The Gainesv lie people propose fixing
up their cemetery iu order to be ready
for the coming season.
The jail of Lake City has only five oc
cupants. Pity they haven’t got those fel
lows that are stealing their cotton aud
corn in there too.
Tallahassee was visited by a severe
thunder storm last week, during which the
Floridian office was struck, but no serious
damage done.
They have a boy in Key West who is 20
inches high, weighs 30 pounds, and iB 11
years old. Strange that Barnum hasn’t
got that boy before now.
The long cotton crop in Alhvchua has
been so badly injured by the rust that it is
only bringing from five to six cents in the
seed.
The line for a railroad from Jacksonville
to King's Ferry, on the St. Mary’s has
Ixion surveyed and staked, and everything
is now ready for the commencement of
work.
Keep, of the Live Oak Time*, seems to
be in debt. He says: “We want all who
owe us to pay up, so that, we can puy our
debts.” That’s right, friend Keep, spur
'em up.
There was quite an excitement in Live
Oak the other day, caused by the militia
being called out to assist in arresting a
loan nnm and Ciuraway, who had practiced
with his Shot-gun upon tin; posse of the
Deputy Sheriff a few nights previous.
Tho Live Oak Times says: “Cotton is
coming into town in large quantities and
birfiig* fair prices. The merchants now
look happy, and it is amusing to sec a
dozen of them around a cart containing
about one hundred pounds of cotton."
Our merchants wouldn't have less than a
bale weighing four or five hundred.
This from the Madison Recorder: “On
Saturday night hist between the hours of
nine and ten o'clock, a terrific rain storm
came up, and during intervals, piercing
lightning and heavy thundering rent the
air. The northwest corner of the depot
building was struck, shivering the juice iu
splinters and tearing oft' some boards. A
roll of bagging caught fire in the inside of
the building, and but for the timely warn
ing of the watchman, would soon have en
veloped the depot in flames.
The Lake City .Press, speaks of Colum
bia county thus: “We hear a good deal of
complaint made by farmers of having
their cotton picked ami stolei ut night
and their corn fields robbed. Can’t a stop
be put to this thing? It bus become such
a crying evil, not only here but in other
counties, that something prompt and effec
tual must be done. We notice in one of
our exchanges that the citizens north of
Tallahassee have had a meeting ia regard
to this matter.
We learn from the Jacksonville Repub
lican that on Tuesday afternoon, the 9th
inst,, the occupants of one of the apart
ments of the county jail attempted to es
cape, but the presence of mind of Jailor
Jamison frustrated their foul de
sign. One of tln-m struck at him with
a dub, but he felled the villain to the
floor, who, as soon as the jailor’s atten
tion was turned to tho other prisoners, got
up aud made his escape by scaling the
fence.
The Attorney General most emphatically
denies the published statement that the
goverment. ha* determined to abandon the
prosecution of the Credit Modifier suits.
The Attorney General is very indignant at
the publication, and he. severely denounced
the correspondent who started the minor.
Mr. Williams, on the contrary, deckresthut
the Government counsel arc using their ut
most endeavors in tlie preparation of the
case, and that they design to bring it to
trial as speedily as possible, and are confi
dent of un issue successful to the Govern
ment.
The grangers’ movement is spreading
very rapidly throughout the South, and
new granges are organized every day. In
Virginia there are so far only three granges.
This does not result from any objections on
the part of the people of that State to the
oixler, but from the want of influence by
the persons selected to start the movement.
It i- understood that tho matter will soon
be taken up by influential Virginians who
served in the Confederate army ; and it is
probable that theorder will soon fie a potent
influence in the Old Dominioil. The farm
ers there are as unprosperons as their
brethren in the West.
A fruit canning establishment that was
started last year in New Orleans has proved
a success, aud this year a large number of
figs and artichokes will be sekt North. Of
the latter fruit the New Orleans Picayune
says: “The Southern artichoke isr. vegata
ble so little known at the North that people
having never seen it before eared little to
purchase it at first; but those who aeqnnint
tied their palates with the delicate flavor of
the Louisiana artichoke sprek loud praises
for it, and commend the manner of pres
-1 creation.”
[From tlie New Turk Son, 19th inst.)
TIIE BUBBLE BURST.
A Very Expensive and Unprecedented
Waste of Gas.
I*rafror Drnislduis 111 Tran-I'hr Public
Aw riling ItpporU flrom tile Brooklyn
lli-Itlgr Pier, Trinity Steeple, tend
the Croton Aqueduct Tower-
Win on itotten Cloth.
At three o’clock yesterday morning the
gas was turned into the Daily Graphic
balloon on the Capitolina grounds. The
air was perfectly quiet, there being too lit
tle breeze even to stir the flag which sur
mounted the tent. Donaldson, Luut aud
Steiner, who had spent the night on the
grounds, were elated. The latter had con
tracted to inflate and start tlie balloon, liis
pay In-ing dependent upon his success.
Fifty workmen arrived before the com
mencement of the inflation, aud were in
structed what to do, and how to do it.
They were told not to step on the cloth
with' their booted feet, to watch for any
break or evidence of weakness, and not to
smoke or light a match. The balloon lmd
been spread on the ground, folded length
wise in regular plaits, the valve being ut
one extremity aud the neck attached to
the gas pipe at the other.
The nut work, which was not to bo fas
tened to the bag, but simply to enclose it,
was spread over the sack, and tlie edges
were fastened to the circle of sand Isigs.
As the gas began to distend the balloon,
tho filty men, under the directien of
Steiner and Donaldson, sat about arrang
ing the net so that it might fit the sack
properly when the inflation should l>e com
plete. This involved great care and labor,
the gas, us it made it* way gradually among
the folds of tho muslin, being inclined to
cut up pranks. In one place it suddenly
puffed a immature dome, and a moment
afterward raised a ridge along the whole
length of the bug. These eccentricities
required an incessant shifting of the net,
and a lifting about of tlie sand bags. Had
there been a breeze tbe difficulty would
have been increased. The crown of the
balloon was lifted by menus of the upright
posts and taekle so that the gas gradually
distended the bell-shaped Top. 'lllis work
was done in the glare of calcium lights,
and the shadows of the active workers
shrown in strong relief upon the surface
of the gradually rising globe gave the gro
tesque effect of un elaborate shadow pan
tomime.
In the night Donaldson mid Lillit talked
over the question of wlmt should be taken
along the triii. The utility of the ear was
thoroughly discussed, and the advice of
Prof. Steiner taken. The upshot was that
a car, with its black walnut furniture and
elaborate appointments, was discarded.
Several workmen at once set about taking
it apart, and in on hour the much pictured
vehicle was a pile of rubbish.
“I’ve spent a good many hard day's
work on that car,” said Donaldson, as he
watched its demolition, and thought it was
just about the thing he w anted, “but now
lam satisfied that we’ll do without it. All
the unnecessary weight must be iu a shape
to throw over for ballast.’'
This necessitated a still further reduc
tion of the articles to be carried. All the
nautical and scientific instruments were
packed in the boats and fastened iu their
places The canned meat, hominy, aud a
supply of sandwiches, were put into a
hamper and stowed under the deck. Four
kegs of water, a few life preservers, the
cages of pigeons, find the bedding, com
pleted the eargo. The paper canoe was
discarded, too, its practical use in the
event of a sea disaster being questioned.
The bold of the life boat having been
.filled, onlv.sufficient space being left to
accommodate two sleepers, the work of
transforming the little vessel into a ear was
commenced by several practical ship rig
gers.
Till, PROGRESS OF INFLATION.
In the meantime the go* hud been rush
ing into the balloon at the rate of thirty
thousand feet an hour, and the fear that
the inflation might not be completed in
time for a start in tho afternoon seemed
groundless. In spite of tho Weather Bu
reau’s prediction of brisk southeasterly or
southwesterly winds, the icronauts had not
been disturbed by a zephyr. The hag was
closely watched hy a cordon of workmen,
and every fold of the muslin or tangle of
the netting was promptly straightened
out. Near the neck a small cut, looking
as though made with a knife, lmt possibly
the work of a hoot heel, was found and
eisily mended. As the muslin dome rose
higher and the posts aud tackle, in the ab
sence of wind, became useless in holding
up her head, they were removed. The
sand bags were provided with metal snags,
by which they were hooked to the meshes
of the netting. As the balloon filled they
were shifted gradually,thus giving the bag.
mesh by mesh, just sufficient room to hold
the increasing quantity of gas. This pre
caution was intended to prevent a violent
swaying in case of a sudden wind.
WAR.
At one o’clock Professor Wise entered
the grounds, He hud not shown himself
there since Wednesday, although a formal
request, for his presence had been sent to
him. He walked straight to the rope
which separated tho balloon from the spec
tutors, and stepped over it. The hand of
a policeman clutched his shoulder and
pulled him back.
“Nobody aiu't allowed inside of this
rope,” said tho owner of the clutching
hand.
“Say, coppy," suggested a boy, “he’s
the man wut’a going to take the h’ist. ”
This explanation satisfied the policeman,
and Professor Wise wus allowed to go on.
His sou, Charles Wise, followed him, and
was ordered out of the enclosure by Chas.
Good sell. Then tlie row began.
“If my son goes, I shall go,” said Pro
fessor Wise, hotly, “aud you must assume
the responsibility.”
“I’ll expose tho condition of your
rotten old balloon,” excitedly added the
sou.
Good sell seemed inclined to be pacific
and followed the Wises to the gate. Just
as they were about to go out Professor
Steiner approached.
“Don’t quarrel here in the crowd,” he
said. “Go into the office and talk matters
over.”
PEACE,
Professors Steiner and Wise and the
OoodseUs retired to the ticket office for a
talk, from which Charles Wise was ex
cluded. Between the latter and the
Graphic publishers there hail lieen a previ
ous rupture, growing out of his employ
ment in the first stages of the balloon con
! Amotion. The private conference lasted
about half an hour, and at its conclusion
Professor Wise aud his son quit the
j grounds. Before going he shook hands
with the Goodsells, although not with an
overabundance of cordiality.
“When you get the balloon inflated," he
said at parting, “send me word at No. 21
City Hall place. ”
The inference drawn from this was that
| he intended to start in the balloon; but he
neither inspected the manner of inflating.
; the new arrangement of the life boat, nor
I any of the preparatory arrangements. In
• whatever mood tlie Professor went away
that of his son is not doubtful.
From three to four o’clock the inflation
continued favorably, and the amount, of
1 gas in the nearly tilled bag reached 300,-
000 cubic tech J breeze had set in, but
it was not str# lough to cause appre
hension. Tii? 11 A is ion was gently oscillat
ed, but tlie guys, sand bags, and the hands
of a hundred men held the netting Ann in
its place.
THE HAS RISES W ITHOUT THE RAO.
The last preparation for the voyage had
been made. The boat, mounted on a wag
on, stood ieady for attachment. Donald
son, Ford and Lnnt sat in a row on three
sand bags, and kept up a lively thinking.
Not less than sixty thousand eyes were
fixed on tlie balloon, which, owing to its
height, was visible from the gratia aide of
tiie fence. What they saw was this: A
gust of wind that passed upward from un
der the bag; a mighty liftiug tug of over
three hundred thousand cubic feet of gas;
a straining of the guy ropes, and a lifting
of tbe clinging assistant*; and finally three
rent* in tlie beg, starting from tlie valve at
the toil and running like streaks of light
ning down its sides to the very bottom.
Tlie collapse was so sudden, complete
and unexpected that the people stood for
a moment silent in amazement. An in
stant before, they had seen the vast globe
swelling and tugging in the uir, and now
it bad disappeared as though tlie ground
had suddenly developed a mouth aud swal
lowed it The boys on the fence ware the
first to recover from the surprise. With
exultant yells they sprang into the euclos
ure and joined in the rush over the ropes
to tlie prostrate balloon, which was nothing
hut a snarl of torn muslin and netting.
The tears lmd split it in thirds, like tho
peeling of an orange, but the net work hut!
not been broken.
AFTER THE COLLAPSE.
“My God, it is gone!” cried Donaldson,
springing to hi* feet.
Comprehending the extent of tbe disas
ter, the tear* ran down his cheeks. The
hard work of three month*, and the hopes
of distinction in his business, had been
literally blown away in a second. The ut
most confusion ensiled among the people.
A few laughed and hooted, but the gen
eral expression was that of regret. Every
body had a theory, aud was disposed to
explain it to everybody else. The burst
occurred at ten minutes past four, aud
half an hour afterward the fact began to
lie appreciated that the show was over.
Stragglingly tin- crowd inside the fences
dispersed, the tickets being returned to
them os they passed out. The outsiders,
however, were more reluctant to go.
Many of them remained in the neighbor
hood until dark. Meantime the life-boat
was unpacked, the pliaraplieruaHa taken
out and the tent and the torn balloon
rolled up and stowed un-ay. After the last
spectator had gone, Donaldson, Lust,
Ford, Steiner and the Good*ells locked
the gate aud went out to supper. Daily
Graphic reporters had been stationed on
the top of the Brooklyn bridge pier, in
Trinity Church steeple, and on flic apex
of the tower of the C'rotou aqueduct, to
watch for and describe tlie ascent of tho
balloon. Whether they are still watching
is purely a matter of conjecture.
THE CAUSE OF THE BURST.
I’rof. Steiner was subsequently asked by
u Sun reporter to state his views in regard
to the cause of the accident.
“All day long,” he said, “I had grave
doubts of the ability of the bag to stand
the pressure, but I kept on inflating,
knowing that, should she stand the strain
while held to the ground, she would lie
safe enough when floating in the air and
relieved of any great resistance to tho
lifting power of gas. Yon must remem
ber that the npward pressure on the crowoi
of that balloon was equal to forty-seven
thousand pounds. little of this tremen
dous force was distributed over tbe sides,
but it oil lifted like a solid column against
the valve and the cloth around it. Al
though that part of the bag was strength
ened py two extra thicknesses of muslin,
it gave way, starting close to the frame of
tiie valve on three sides, and tearing down
a* the gas rushed through the openings.
No muslin balloon of a like size hap ever
been inflated, and fdo not lieJievo that
one ever will be. Wise and myself once
planned an air trip to Europe, but split
on this point of using a cotton balloon.
In my opinion, tho only kind of balloon
of that size that can he inflated must bo
made of silk, with strong canvas* cov
ering in the place of u netting.”
FAULTS AND MERITS OF THE TORN HALLOO “
“This balloon, so far as I can judge,
was as strong us a cotton balloon cun pos
sibly be made. It was very tight, so much
■so that not enough oozed through to bo
smelled on the outer surface. It would
have been safe, if once got into tlie air.
Iu my opinion, however, it was too heavy.
It had three thick coats of oily varnish,
and was dried in the sun, which caused
an undue absorption of the coating. Why,
it weighed forty-seven thousand pounds,
and idl that weight was virtually hanging
down on the crown, because there all tho
strain ciimc. It should have hud two
coats of thinner varnish, and been dried
slowly under cover. Some of the section:;
were discolored by rain, and that would
tend to mellow tho material. Whether it
did or not I cannot say, bull do not think
that rottenness caused the break. Tho
netting was made of hard, poor marline,
knotted nt every mesh. These knot*
would tend to chafe and wear the cloth.
The netting should have been of pliant,
soft rope. Iu this case it broke in several
places, from the pulling of the sand-bag*,
but not enough to cause any alarm. No
more favorable weather could have been
had, and a brisk wind would have ended
the matter four hours earlier. The bag
would have stood sixty per cent, more
pressure if it had not been weighed down
with oil. I think the material was good,
and the sewing well done.”
PROFESSOR WISE OS THE COLLAPSE.
The Sun reporter conversed w ith Prof.
Wise at his room in City Hall place last
evening:
“As I have asserted all along,” he said,
“when asked to give my opinion as to tlie
cause of the collapse, the muslin was rot
ren, at least some of the sections, by ex
posure to alt kinds of Weather for weeks.
I protested iu vain against it, and secured
a shelter, but they would not listen to me.
Their great point seemed to he to avoid
delay and get tbe balloon off somehow or
anyhow-. Donaldson is foolhardy enough
to risk his life, and the others followed his
reckless example. I had rather walk up
to u cannon’s mouth than face public ki
dignatiun, and I knew that no explanation
would set me aright if I refused to go.
So, against the wishes of my Son, who is
an aeronaut of twenty years’ experience, I
said I would go if they could inflate tbe
balloon. Yet I was confident thev couldn’t
do it.”
After Butler was thoroughly beaten and
lmd backed out, he presented himself with
the most unblushing effrontery to make
speech upon the resolutions prepared hy
his bitterest enemy, Mr. Hoar, and recom
mended that they be passed without, dis
sent. Among them were the two condemn
ing, first, the back pay grab, of which he
was the champion; and second, the imper
tinent interference of the government offi
cers in trying to force him upon the people
of Massachusetts. Could impudence and
shamelessness go further?
Grasshopper shortcakes and potato-hug
pies are plenty iu the Chinese restaurants id
San i’runcisw.