Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

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.