Newspaper Page Text
VOL. 2.
T. K. WTKNE, W. R. DF. WOLF,
x JOHN H. MARTIN, JOHN H. STEWART.
Wynne, DeWolf & Cos.
PubllNherM and Proprietor#.
IIUII, (in advance) per annum, $7 00
44 aix months 4 00
*• three months '2 00
“ one month 75
iVKKKLT, one year ‘2 00
(Shorter term® in proportion.)
HAT EH OF ADVERTISING.
Square, one week $ 8 0Q
One Square, one month 8 00
One Square, aix mouths 28 00
Transient advertiaementa SI.OO for first inser
on, and 50 cents for each subsequent insertion.
Fifty per oent. additional in Local column.
Liberal rates to larger advertisements.
ALABAMA'S FIX ANTES.
A GRATIFYING REPORT.
Exchange Hotel, I
Montgomery, Dec. 16, 1876. )
Editor Columbus Times:— Governor
Houston, on the 14th, transmitted to
the General Assembly the report of
the Commissioners charged with the
scaling of the State debt
$8,500,000.
The report shows the new bonds
will not exeled $8,500,000.
ADD to this $1,000,000,
the sum total of State obligations of
interest bearing debt, and the whole
amount of State Indebtedness bear
ing interest is below $10,000,000.
THE AVERAGE INTEREST
is on these new obligations 3.89, mak
ing it much less than that of any
other State in the Union, whether
garrisoned on election days by Fede
ral soldiers or not.
THE GOVERNOR SAYS
in hia message:
“There can be no reasonable fear
that the adjustment made by the
Commissioners will not be speedily
carried into full effect, and I congrat
ulate the people of the State upon
their fortunate deliverance from the
oppressive burdens that would have
rested upon them out for this adjust
ment.
“That part of the compromise and
adjustment that relates to the two
millions of dollars of straight gold
bonds loaned by the State of Alabama
to the Alabama & Chattanooga Rail
road Company, was by the uot ap
proved 20th March, 1875, “To protect
the State in the matter of the fran
chise and property of the A. & C. It.
R. Cos., &c. f ” referred to myself as
Governor of the State for settlement;
hence the questions growing out of
that unfortunate loan by the State,
are not mentioned by the Commis
sioners in their report now submitted
to the General Assembly.
“I hope and confidently believe
that upon your re-assembling, on the
9th of January next, I will be able to
report a full and perfect carrying out
of the settlement made by me with
the holders of those bonds, thus
showing a perfect disconnection of
the Slate from all complications
with that road, and the disastrous
transactions connected with it, as
well as all questions growing out of
it.”
THE REPORT OE THE COMMISSIONERS
is one of much interest, to your Ala
bama readers. For their benefit we
have procured from the editor of the
Advertiser and Mail a connected copy
of the same, which reads as follows:
Office of Commissioners, I
Montgomery, Dec. 13,1876, j
To the Governor of Alabama —
As required by section 21 of an act
of the General Assembly, approved
23d February, 1876, the undersigned
respectfully submit the following re
port of what has been done by them
under said act.
The funding act provides that the
new bonds, designated as class A and
class B, shall be dated Ist July, 1876.
Prior to that time they could not be
issued, and none were delivered to us
until after that fdate. After the de
livery to us of a portion of the bonds,
we gave notice by advertisement in
newspapers published in New York
and London "of the time and place,
when and where” the exchange and
substitution of bonds could be made.
An agency was established in the city
of New York on the 24tti July last,
and continued until the 24th October,
under the supervision of one of the
commissioners. The bonds exchang
ed during the existence of that agen
cy embraced about twp-tbirds of all
the bonds which the act authorized
to be exchanged in New Yerk; and.
including the amount exchanged at
this office, nearly three-fourths of
the recognized straight bonds have
been retired by the substitution of
new bonds of class A and class B.
The issue of class A is limited to
$7,000,(X)0, and of this amount we have
issued $4,655,900,and have retired old
bonds of the State, exclusive of those
bearing 7 per cent, interest, amount
ing to $5,054,970, besides past due
interest, as follows:
Act December 15,1865, and February
13, 1866.
Fiv* per cent, bonds due in New York
In 1886 $ 314,900
Five per cent, bonds due in London in
I#B6 44,457
Bixp r cent, bonds One in London in
1856.,.. 48,508
Act 18th January, 1866.
Five par cent, bonds due in New York
In 18c3 1.441,000
Act 6th February, 1867.
Five per cent, bonds due in London in
1886 4)2,880
Act 17th February, 1870.
Six per cent, bunds due in London in
1890 388,725
Act 19th February.il 872.
Five per cent, bonds dne in New York
in 1892 94,000
Act 9th February. 1852.
Five per cent, bonds due in New York
in 1871 17,000
Act 15tb December, 1865.
Fight per cent, bonds (Patton issue)
due in 1886 598,500
Act 12th August. 1868,
Eight per cent, bonds (Smith issue) due
in 1888 549,500
Act 15th December, 1871.
Eight per cent, bonds (Lindsay isaue)
due in 1892 689,000
Act 25th February, 1873.
Eight per cent, bonds (Lewis issue) dne
in 1893 367,000
Act Bth March, 1871.
Eight per cent, bonds issued by Gov.
Lindsay and due first of Decem
ber, 1871.... 130,000
$5,054,970
The interest which had accrued np to
let July last on the bonds taken up
of the loregoing issues, was can
celled in accordance with the fund
ing act without any substitution
of bonds, and amounted to about 979 000
T"tsi $6,024,970
In converting bonds payable in
London in pounds sterling into bonds
i payable in New York in lawful mon
ey of the United States wo have been
governed by an act of Congress which
taxes the value of a pound sterling at
$4 86 13-30.
It is proper for us to state that of
the amount taken up of the issue of
25th Februaty, 1873, one hundred and
twenty-nine bonds of SI,OOO each were
surrendered by F. Wolffe, assignee in
bankruptcy, upon the payment of
$45,000 by the State, under authority
conferred by section si,x of the fund
ing act. This extinguishes all claim
or claims against the State growing
out of the purchase of the Alabama
& Chattanooga Railroad at bankrupt
sale by Gov. Lindsay.
The’settlement with the holders of
bonds which had been hypothecated
with Henry Clews & Cos. was made on
the basis of $570.65 for each bond of
SI,OOO. Of the $650,000 hypothecated
with Clews & Cos., and by thorn trans
ferred to other parties, we have re
tired $579,000, leaving $71,000 out
standing.
There are now outstanding of file
various issues of recognized straight
bonds, bearings, 6 and 8 per cent, in
terest, about],s2,Boo,ooo, exclusive (oT
$253,500 belonging to the Agricultural
and Mechanical College, now held by
the State as trust fund under the
present. Constitution) and there re
main unuseil of the new bonds of
class A, and nbt authenticated by the
endorsement of either of the com
missioners, s2,3ss,loo—showing that
the $7,000,000 of class A will be ample
to take up all the recognized straight
bonds as intended by the act.
The $620,000, of the issue of 25th
of February, 1873, held by Josiah
Morris & Cos., at the date of our first
report still remain in their posses
sion ; but they belong to the State
and constitute no partof itsindebted
ness. Up to this time Morris & Cos.,
have declined to surrender them
to the State, under the plea that
it would not be safe for them to
do so unless so ordered by some court
of competent jurisdiction. Legal
steps have therefore been taken to
compel the delivery of the bonds to
the State.
Of class B, the issue of which is
limited to $596,000, we have issued
$456,000, and we have retired 7 per
cent bonds issued 10 railroad compa
nies under what is known as the $4,-
000 per mile act, amounting to $984,-
000 leaving only $172,000 of that issue
outstanding.
Gov. Lewi3 issued to the South &
North Alabama Railroad Company
$72,000 without any return of en
dorsed bonds, which we think was
premature and unauthorized. We
therefore required those bonds to be
returned to the State without any
substitution of bonds of class 11-to
which the company assented.
The agreement between the Com
missioners aud the agents of the
holders of the endorsed bond of the
Alabama & Chattanooga Railroad
Company iias been approved and ac
cej)ted by the bondholders, and only
waits actual exchange of bonds. The
delav in surrendering the bonds is
attributable to the litigation pend
ing between the bondholders and
other creditors of the company, in
which the State has lio interest.
Such delay will not defeat the settle
ment with the State, nor affect its
rights. We have no recommenda
tion to submit in regard to any ciaim
preferred agaiDst the State which is
not embraced in the funding act, or
in our late special report. Nothing
has occurred to change the views ex
pressed in our first report.
Pursuant to the provisions of the
twentieth section of the funding act,
we have caused all bonds taken up
by us to be registered aud cancelled,
and they have been burned, in the
presence of the Secretary of State
and Attorney General, after being
compared by them with the registra
tion, as shown by their certificates,
to be found in the book of record.
The same book contains a full regis
tration. of all bonds issued by us of
each class and deuominatiou, and
said book has been delivered to the
Treasurer of the State as the law re
quires, and can be inspected by such
committee as the General Assembly
may appoint for that purpose, as well
as for the purpose of examining our
transactions generally as Commis
sioners.
In another book, which we have
also deposited in the office of the
Treasurer, we have registered all the
bonds and coupons turned over to us
by the State Treasurer as directed in
section twenty of the funding act.
The bonds and coupons thus regis
tered, as well as a considerable
amount of mutilated notes issued by
the State Bank and branches, have
been burned in the presence of the
Secretary of State and Attorney Gen
eral. The bonds so destroyed amount
to $11,564,000, and the coupons to $3,-
797,016.
The mutilated bank notes could not
be accurately described, nor the exact
amount determined, as many of them
were so mutilated as to render it im
possible to determine the date or
amount.
During the investigation ordered
by a joint resolution of the General
Assembly, approved Bth March, 1876,
Arthur Bingham, late Treasurer of
the State, presented us a package,
tbe contents of which he said were
unknown to him. At his request we
opened it, and found that it contain
ed uDcaneelled past due coupons
which had been paid by the State, or
which had been detached from bonds
at the date of their issue, amounting
to $79,080. We had the coupons prop
erly registered, and then burned as
required by law.
One of the Commissioners, while in
►New York called on Duncan, Sher
man & Cos., and Henry Clews & Cos.,
former fiscal agents of the State, and
requested them, respectively, to de
liver to him, as authorized by tne
funding act, an> and all bonds and
coupons remaining in their posses
sion as agents of the State. None
were delivered tothecomraissionerat
that time, but since then Duncan,
Sherman & Cos., have forwarded to
us one hundred and eleven bonds of
SI,OOO each, which had been taken
up by them while acting as fiscal
agents of the State. The bonds have
been registered and destroyed.
Mr. Henry Clews, of the firm of
Henry Clews & Cos., declined to give
the commissioner any information
connected with the agency of his
firm. We believe that firm still re
tains or has improperly transferred
coupons which ought to have been
surrendered and cancelled imme
diately after their payment, but we
have no means of obtaining accurate
information in regard to the matter.
The State should not in any manner
recognize any claim founded upon
the possession of such coupons.
COLUMBUS, GA., SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 17, 1876.
On the 17th inst, our term of ser
vice will expire. For two years we
have served the State in fathful ef
forts to adjust and liquidate its in
| debtedness, which wo trust will not
j be without profit to the present and
succeeding generations. The volume
of indebtedness of the State, inolud
| ing State Obligations, will be re
duced to about $9,500,000, exclusive of
■ trust funds. The whole amount of
bonds authorized to be issued under
the act of 23d February last, of class
| es A. B. and C. is confined to 8,596,000.
As already shown, it will not be ne
cessary to use all of class A.—and
class 0. is limited to $1,000,000. It is
therefore safe to say that the whole
bonded debt will not exceed 8,500,000.
If to this amount bo added $1,000,000
of State obligations, it will be seen
that the adjusted debt will not exceed
$9,500,000.
The annual interest on the new bonds
Cannot exceed $189,800 per annum for
five years--being less than the annual in
terest on the enttie ante helium bonded
debt. When the annual interest on the
new bonds compared with the enormous
amount of interest which accrued an
nually on all straight bonds outstanding
at the time the funding process com
menced, to say nothing of the endorsed
bonds the tax payers will realize what
an immense burden lias lieen removed,
and no longer feel despondent as to the
future, so far as the public debt is con
cerned.
The average rate of interest on the new
bonds for thirty years, is 3.89, or little
more than the rate paid by Great Britain,
and much less than the rate paid by the
United States. Ours is the only State in
the Union which pays less than 0 per cent,
except Massachusetts, which has recently
sold some bonds bearing five per cent.
We present to the General Assembly
ami to the people of Alabama, the fore
going facts and results with entire satis
faction. We think the wisdom of the
last General Assembly, in attempting to
solve a difficult financial problem, has
been fully vindicated. It seems to us
that those who honestly doubted then as
to the practicability of the scheme of ad
justment devised by us and ratified by
the General Assembly, must now have
their doubts removed and be inspired
with' hope and confidence —and we trust
that throughout the State there will be
but one aim and purpose, and that such
united aim and purpose will be never to
permit the honor and good name of the
State to be tarnished by any default in
the payment of interest on the adjusted
debt. The principal will not mature for
thirty years, and can then lie renewed at
the pleasure of[the State; but the inter
estwo hope and believe will he promptly
paid as it matures. This we are satisfied
can be done without oppression, and
without long delaying a reduction of the
rate of taxation.
In concluding our final repott we beg
to say that although the sum of $15,000
was appropriated to defray the expenses
of executing the act of 2itd February lust,
we have only expended $7,910.23 as may
be seen by an examination of the records
of the office of the Auditor.
Respectfully submitted,
Gfeo. S. Houston,
Levi W. Lawler,
T. B. Bethea,
Commissioners.
POLITICAL.
We have met and conversed with
many Senators and Representatives on
the eve of their departure home, on the
political outlook. They are full of despon
dent forebodings as to what extent Grant
will usurp the control of the Government
against the will of the people. No one
Beems to be able to tell what an hour
may bring forth, looking with anxiety to
the true men of both parties ot the
North to act like wise men and devise
ways and means to defeat the plans laid
for a dictator. “B.’ ”
X Slolhers'! Prayer.
A few yenrs ago a company of Indians
were captured on the western frontier.
Among them were a number of stolen
children. They had been tvitli the sava
ges for years. Word was sent throughout
the region inviting all who had lost chil
dren to come and sec if among the little
captives they could recognize their own.
A long way off was a woman who had
been robbed ol her darling, a boy and
girl. With mingled hope and fear she
came; with throbbing heart she approach
ed the group. They were strange to her.
She came nearer, and with eyes filled
with mother-love and earnestuess, peered
into their faces, one after anotner; but
there was nothing in-any that she could
claim. Nor was there anything in her to
light up their cold faces. With the dull
pain of despair at her heart she was turn
ing away, when she paused, choked back
the tears, and, in soit, clear notes, began a
simple song she used to sing to her little
ones of Jesus and Heaven. Not a line
was completed before a boy and a girl
exclaiming, “Mantma! mamma!” and she
folded her lost ones to tier bosom. So
lives a mother’s early influence in the hearts
of her children.
Ship News.
New York, Dec. 16.—Arrived, State
of Indiana.
Arrived out, John I). Costa, Sylphide,
San Antonio, Parthia.
Homeward—Charlotte for Pensacola;
Hans George, Tybec; Evangeline, New
Orleans; Northumbria, Mobile; Nydia,
Charleston ; Celtee, New York.
Cape May, N. J.,Dcc. 16.—Schooner
F. A. Heath, of Bangor, is ashore near
here, crew saved. Vessel probably a to
tal wreck.
New York, Dee. 16.—A heavy gale
prevails here, and navigation in the har
bor is difficult. Theship J. P. Wheeler,
from London for New York, went ashore
on Governor's Island at 10:25 a. m. Tugs
now are trying to get her off.
Wilmington, Dec. 10.—The schooner
Lueilla Merchantman from Galveston
for Boston, loaded with cotton, put in
belcw in distress. Site lost her main sail,
foresail and jibs in the gale. The
crew lived on bread and water nine
days. No damage to cargo, as she left
Galveston October 27th.'
Norfolk, Dec. 16—Arrived : Steamer
Maima from Liverpool.
Sailed for Liverpool: Spanish steamer
Moyagulz, ship Joseph.
Alabama—Repeal of nrummers’ Tax.
Montgomery, Dec. 16.—The Ala
bama Legislature repealed the law
taxing drummers SSO, It goes into
immediate effect.
From the Atlent* Constitution, 18.1
THE STATE GRANGE.
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND
GEOLOICAL SURGEY ENDORSED—DIRECT
TRADE BETWEEN BANANNAH AND LIV
ERPOOL RECOMMENDED.
The State Grange got to work yes
terday in earnest, and transacted a
large amount of business. The stand
ing committees all reported.
ON AGRICULTURE.
The committee, in their report,
congratulated the farmers of Geor
gia on her Improved conditions as
regards farm supplies, aud .the gen
eral determination to return to a
more healthy and wise policy in
their farm economy. It is believed
that enough grain, if uniformly dis
tributed, has been produced to sup
ply the farmers of the State for the
next year. While we are not free
from the effects of the general finan
cial depression, we feel confident
that Georgia, as a State, is on the
true line of progress and improve
ment, and stands at the head of her
sisters in these respects. We beg
leave to urge upon members of the
order attention to the subject of
stock raising and diversified agricul
ture generally.
A STRONG ENDORSEMENT.
The following report was unani
mously adopted:
Whereas, Georgia is pre-eminently
an agricultural State, and whereas,
Gov. .T. M. Smith had the wisdom
aud statesmanship to recommend in
accordance with the wishes of the
State Agricultural Society expressed
in its conventions and with the State
Grange expressed in its sessions, the
establishment ot a department of ag
riculture and a geological survey of
the State, and the Legislature the
Bagacity to enact the same; and
whereas both the department and
the survey have accomplished all
that could be reasonably expected
since the time of their inauguration
and promise still greater good for
the State in the future; and whereas,
certain persons, under honest but
mistaken ideas of economy, desire
the abolition of the one, and the dis
continuance of the other; therefore,
Resolved, That as Representatives
of the farmers of Georgia who pay
the great bulk of the State taxes, we
do most solemnly deprecate and con
demn such suiciuial policy as, under
the plausible pretense of retrench
ment and economy, would strike at
the foundation of the most im
portant measures of reform ever in
augurated in our State for the pro
motion of her agricultural interests,
and the development of her other
material interests.
Resolved, That we call upon all
true citizens of Georgia, who have
her real interests at heart, whether
agricultural or not, whether officials
or private citizens, if the friends of
true f>rogreas | tnd development, to
frown down such insidious efforts of
economy and retrenchment, a fatal
blow at the great productive interests
of the State.
ltesolved, That as agriculturalists
wo honor Gov. J. M. Smith for his
manly and statesmanlike advocacy
and support of these instrumentali
ties for the advancement of our peo
ple and the State, and call upon the
Governor elect, Gen. A. 11. Colquitt,
us the exponent of the great agricul
tural sentiment of the State, to speak
with no uncertain sound for progress
and development of all the industries
and resources of Georgia.
on co-operation
the committee report: It is not deem
ed necessary to attempt anything
more than a geueral endorsement of
the co-operative movement and to
urge a careful study and investiga
tion of the principles of co-operation
and its power in accomplishing good.
We recommend a careful investiga
tion of the Roohdale system of co
operation and its adoption, whenever
practicable, as the best solution of
buying and selling. Adopted.
DIRECT TRADE AND IMMIGRATION.
The committee on this subject re
ported :
Whereas, direct trade with Europe
has been a cherished policy with the
people of the South and advocated
for half a century by her Statesmen,
and the introduction ofan intelligent
class of immigrants in the light of
the history of all of the American
States especially must be regarded
as the aid and promoter of direct
trade—the key to our financial inde
pendence and agricultural prosperi
ty:
Resolved, That as representatives
of and part ourselves of that great
body of men most oppressed by
financial dependence and benefitteu
by commercial freedom, it becomes
our first duty to encourage by every
legitimate (means these most im
portant objects.
Resolved, That to this end it is
highly essential that aline of steam
ships between the sea ports of Geor
gia and Europe be established at as
early a day as possible jsjiat the in
terests of the State and of. the people
demand this, and as individual enter
prise has hitherto proved inadequate,
that wo deem it the best policy for
the State to give such aid as will se
cure this object, provided the
amount required does not exceed
SIOO,OOO.
Resolved, That we earnestly re
commend to his excellency the Gov
ernor, that he bring this matter to
the attention of the Legislature, and
urge upon that body the adoption of
such measures as will secure its
speedy accomplishment.
Resolved, Tnat we have heard with
pleasure the plan for the establish
ment @f such line of steamers between
Savannah and Liverpool, proposed to
the Governor by J. 0. Gardiner, on
the part of certain parties in Eng
land, and that it meets our hearty
approval.
Resolved, That a copy of these res
olutions be sent to the Governor, to
the President of the Senate and
Speaker of the Hoise, with a request
to lay them before their respective
houses at the approaching session.
ON FERTILIZERS.
To the question "will commercial
fertilizers at the present prices pay,”
the committee say: The margin of
profits on the use of fertilizers Is so
small that unless judicious prepara
tion and eultivatton of the soil be
had farmers had better not uai
them.
The committee answer the ques
tion, “Can a cheap compost be had,”
by saying: Yes. The body of com
eost heaps exists on all farms, in stk
le and barn-yard manures, cott9H
seed, &c. Phosphate should be used
to deoompose the body. All acid
I phosphates are good. Their relative
1 value depends on their solubility and
I the per cent, of phosphoric acid con-
I tainod.
The officers elect wero dfily in
stalled
The thanks of the Grange wore
returned to Col. J. E. Owens for his
liberality in furnishing them a hall
free of charge and the hospitable
manner in entertaining them at rea
sonable rates.
Thanks were returned to the rail
roads and the hotels for reduced
rates.
An experience meeting was held
last night.
The Grange adjourned until next
December, the place of meeting be
ing left to the executive committee.
Washington” letter.
THE A1.1.-ABNOHHING QUESTION.
Tht Nfn Whom Grant Makes Hi* Ad
visers.
JOHN SHERMAN, THE CAMERONS ETC.
From our regular Corropomlent.]
Washington, Deo. 13,1876.
I opine that you eare very little
nowadays for the social and fashion
lonable frivolities of the National
Capital; at least we care little for
them here. Every subject becomes
oontemptible in presence of the mo
mentous political questions peering
above the horizon of the second cen"
tury. Are majorities to rule, or are
the officeholders strong enough to
declare their tenure perpetual? No
well informed person doubts that if
it were not for this class, from the
cabinet campaign minister down to
the postmaster who edits a county
newspaper, the country’s demand
for a change would have been re
spected and conceded, and that now,
Instead of anarchy and industrial
paralysis, the country would be
healthfully engaged in merchandise
and agricultnre.
In talking with leading Democrats,
the most alarming and sickening
thing is the hopelessness with which
they seem to regard all appeal to the
Constitution and laws. This hope
lessness is not expressed in a pro
nounced manner.but it is nevertheless
apparent. The Republicans mocked
the Constitution and laws iu the
plenitude of their power; they will
not respeot them now in their des
perate death struggle. Thaddeus
Stephens said: “to hell with the
Constitution,” and the President of
the United States has in the last week
expressed his contempt for the Su
preme Court of one of the thirteen
original States, in language coarser
but not less emphatic. It may be
very well for us as Democrats and
patriots to fortify our consciences,
and jilumb our souls, with abstract
right, precedent, and constitutional
law, but let us at the same time re
alize that those who have clutched
the Government look upon the Con
stitution as an effete instrument, and
know no law but might.
In crises like this, nothing concern
ing the men whom fantastic fortune
has made the arbiters of our fate can
be uninteresting. The President has
supplemented the ignoranoe of poli
tics of which he boasts in his last
message, with ignorant and mediocre
advisers. Since Bristow and Jewell
were kicked out there remains scarce
ly a first-rate man in his Cabinet.
His constitutional advisers are not
statesmen; they are simply partisans
and cronies. The most influential
among them are Mr. Don Cameron,
Secretary of War, and Mr. Chandler,
Secretary of the Interior. Of the
Senators who have the confidence of
the President, Mr. Conkling is the
only one who has claims to states
manship; but his visits to the White
House are few in comparison with
those of Patterson of South Carolina,
Spencer of Alabama, and Boutwell
of Massachusetts. Senator Patterson,
who represents Chamberlain (not
South Carolina) at the White
House, is a native of Pennsylvania,
and a protege, or rather a puppet, of
the Camerons. The influence of the
Camerons in national politics is im
mense. Cameron pere superceded
Sumner in shaping our foreign policy
in the Senate, and Cameron fils dicta
ted the Republican Presidential nom
ination.
Among the Senators who have
come to the front in this complica
tion is John Sherman, of Ohio. Here
tofore be has not been conspicuous
for anything but thrift and stature.
The average newspaper reader knows
little more of him than that he votes
with his party, and has become, in
some way, enormously wealthy. The
name is eminently respectable, and
so is the Senator. The name is his
toric ; it carries us back to the heroic
days of the Republic, and we vaguely
associate him with the New England
statesman of that name. But let us
not be misled by coincidence of
sound. If Hayes had been elected,
John Sherman would have had op
portunities greater even tbaa he now
has for putting money in his parse.
Sherman was the first to urge his
nomination, and to him and Cam
eron Hayes is chiefly indebted for his
candidacy. When we study these
relations we have a key to the super
serviceable partisanship of the in
trigueing Senator in his report on
Louisiana, and the disgraceful pros
titution of the army by the ambi
tious young Secretary of War. I
know Senator Sherman, bat it is not
easy to describe him, for he is
“neither hot nor cold,” hut negative
and mediocre in everything except
avarice and ambition. His most
marked characteristic is caution; he
has offences at his back, but he keeps
between them and the observer.
There is little news here that you
will not have received by telegraph
before this reaches you. The plot Is
becoming day by day more transpa
rent. The hoofs and horns are dis
closed, and the barbed tail is unfold
ing. Why h 0.3 the general distin
guished for his raid on-the Louisiana
Legislature, and by the "All of us”
approving dispatch of Gen. Belknap,
been ordered to take charge of this
military department? and why has
Gen. Hancock been banished to the
Paoific slope? [These charges are
officially denied, but it is a humilia
ting fact that statements made by
high officials at Washington have so
often proved to be falsehoods or pre
varications, that no one can tell
whether, in this instance, the report
or the denial Is entitled to credence—
Ed.] Does any one doubt that Grant
meditates the role of Cromwell with
the British Parliament—of Bonaparte
with the Council of Five Hundred?
But why cross the Atlantic for prece
dents ? Has he not tried the experi
ment with success, two years ago in
New Orleans, and two weeks ago in
Columbia? ' 0. A. S.
CONGRESSIONAL,
■Washington, Dec. 16.—The Senate
was not in session to-day.
lIOV9E,
After the passage of the Postoffice
Appropriation bill the Speaker laid
before the House a telegram received
by him from Mr. Morrison, chairman
of the Louisiana Committee, and that
of Mr. Morrison from Mr. Orton,
President of the Western Union Tel
egraph Company, refusing to pro
duce the original of telegraph dis
patches.
The dispatches having been road,
Mr. Wood, of New York, rose to offer
a resolution, premising it by the ex
pression of his belief that the House
would not be slow to vindicate its
rights and privileges.
Hoar, of Massachusetts, made the
point of order that the question was
not properly before tbe House, as a
report of the committee could not be
made to the House by telegraph.
The Speaker overruled tbe point
of order, and ruled that it was a ques
tion of privilege and was properly
before the Heuse.
Wood’s resolution was then read,
as follows:
Resolved, That the communication
presented by the Speaker from the
Hon. Wm. Morrison, chairman of the
select committee appointed to inves
tigate certain matters relating to the
late election in Louisiana be referred
to the Judioiary Committee, with in
structions to report at the earliest
practicable moment what action the
House should take In the premises to
enforce its rightful authority.
Kasson, of lowa, again pressed the
point of order made by Hoar; but the
Speaker adhered to his ruling, and Hoar
remarked that on reflection it seemed to
him that the position of the Chair was en
tirely correct.
The resolution was then passed without
discussion or division.
The House then proceeded to the special
order, which was the delivery of eulogies
on the late Speaker.
LOUISIANA. INVESTIGATING) COM
MITTEE.
Washington, Dec. 16.— Speaker
Randall has received a dispatch from
Chairman Morrison of the Louisiana
Investigating Committee which says:
Every obstacle has been and will be
interposed to hinder this committee
in the discharge of its duty. The
Republican witnesses have been
threatened and dare not tes
tify without incurring loss of
position and personal danger.
The production of papers and
telegrams is refused, it is believed
upon assurances of protection from
Washington. Without the power of
the House to enforce obedience to Its
process, the committee cannot dis
charge its duties. The House should
remain in session.
This is the.dispatch alluded to in
the House proceedings.
Senate not in session.
Five Hundred Gevernment Employer*
Discharged.
Washington, Dec, 16,- Between four and
five hundred men and women were dischar
ged from the Bureau of Printing and En
graving, to-day.
John I. Davenport, of New Vork, Elec
tion Commissioner, and Senator Morton,
had an interview with the President Thurs
day. Another account is that Davenport
went alone to see the President for the pur
pose of exhibiting his disbursements of
secret service funds, Davenport remarked
that it was wonderful how qnickly the Pres
ident comprehended the ciphering.—The
President approved the account.
THE RESULT OF CRWEUTT.
A NOTSD ACTRK3S DEAD—FUND FOB BROOKLYN
SUmRXRS.
N*w York, Dec, 16— Julia Deems, whose
drunken husband drove her into the streets
last night to beg, was found this morning
with her dead baby in her arms; it had fro
zen to death during her wanderings.
Mrs. H, P. Grattan, the Well-known
tress, died here yesterday.
The relief fund for the snfferers by the
Brooklyn fire reached $21,278.
►
HON. AI.KX. H. STEPHENS.
He Denies that He Favors Acceptance
of the Inatifaratlon of Hayes.
Washington, Dec. 16 —The follow
ing explains itself:
W ashington, Dee. 10,1876.
To Editor Constitutionalist, Augusta,
Georgia.
The statement going the rounds of the
papers, that I am advising a friendly ac
ceptance by the people of the South of
the inauguration of Mr. Hayes, is utterly
unfounded. I never have and never
shall adviso them, or any other people,
to give a friendly acceptance of any ad
ministration inaugurated by the grossest
fraud and most palpable usurpations.
While I might not adviso forcible resist
ance to an sdminsfration- thus inaugura
ted, yet I never could give tins sanction of
my approval or friendly acceptance.
For the overthrow of such a dynasty I
should rath, r appeal to tlte peaceful in
strumentalities of the’ Constitution.
These are the Legislative Halls, the Ju
diciary, and the ballot box—the latter of
which should ever be held as sacred ss
the ark of the covenant.
(Signed.) Ai.ex. H. Stephens.
A ‘NEW KEIIUI.I IOV (STORY.
SOUTHERN AND WESTERN “CONSPIRACY”
REPORTED.
New York, Dec. 16.—The Herald
and Times have Washington specials
about John I. Davenport, supervisor
of elections in New York, arriving in
Washington with the alarming re
port of a vast and daDgerous Demo
cratic conspiracy in the West and
South.
SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE CABINET.
Reported IMvldon Among the ('onitUn*
t tonal Advlaera.
Washington, Deo. 16.—Yesterday’s
Cabinet meeting discussed South
Carolina without action. It is stated
that Secretary Robeson joined Secre
tary Fish in favor ot—“Hands off.”
TELEGRAPHIC) SEORESY.
PRESIDENT ORTON DECLINES TO DELIVER
MESSAGES TO THB CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEE.
Executive Office, W. U. Tel. Cos., i
New York, Dec. 15, 1876. )’
To Hon. W. R. Morrison, Chairman,
etc., New Orleans:
Sir : Bubposnhs have been served
upon several employes of this com
pany, directing them to produce be
fore the Congressional Committee, of
which you are chairman, all mes
sages in possession of the company,
sent and received by the persons
named in the subpoenas, during sev
eral months of the present year. I
have delayed a reply to these de
mands in the expectation that similar
applications would be made by the
Senate Committee, charged with the
investigation of matters connected
with the Presidential election and
canvass in several States, so that the
action of the company, being the
same in lespeet to the messages of
both political parties, could not be
attributed to a desire to prejudice, or
promote, tbe interests of either. No
subpoenas have yet been served upon
us by order of the Senate Committee,
and as further delay might appear to
be a discourtesy to yourself and your
committee, it does not seem proper
to further postpone the answer.
The subpoenas were served before
tjie investigation, which the commit
tee has been directed to make, was
begun, and before evidence had been
presented to the committee either
that the persons named in the sub
poenas had sent any messages, what
ever, or that any messages sent by
them related to the subject matter of
the investigation.
It appears to have been assumed
that persons holding high official
places under the Federal and State
governments, and others prominent
in pnblic affairs, were in the habit of
sending messages by telegraph, and,
without attempting to ascertain if
any of these messages, were mate
rial to the investigation, the officers
and agents of this company have
been commanded to lay aside the
business in which they are engaged,
to become spies and deteotives upon,
and informers against the customers
who have reposed in us the gravest
confidence concerning both their of
ficial and private agairs.
I have never believed that tbe Con
gress of tbe United States, with this
subject before them, would permit
committees to violate the secresy of
the telegraph in this manner, and it
seems to me that the present is an
opportunity which would be unwise
to forego, of obtaining a decision
directly from the representatives of
the people. If the messages of per
sons connected with one politcal
party are spread before the public, a
like eourse will be taken in respect
to those of another party. Both
parties, therefore, have the same in
terest in publishing to the world the
secrets of the telegraph office, or of
preventing such publication.
It has been decided to decline very
respectfully to permit the employes
of this company to produce, before
any committee of either House of
Congress, messages sent or received
by the Representatives of either the
Democratic or Republican party, at
least, until after Congress shall have
approved the subpcenaß of the com
mittees and directed that the de
mand be enforced. 9m
I am, with great respect, etc.,
William Orton,
President.
Sir. Merrluon’s Reply.
New Orleans, Dec, 16. —Mr. Orton,
President:—l have nothing to do with
your motives for refusing to obey tbe
process of the House of Representa
tives. My duty will be performed by
invoking its aid in the enforcement of
such process. Regretting your refusal
of information necessary to ascertain
the whole truth as to the Louisiana
election, lam yours respectfully,
Wm, R. Morpisqn,
Kupiaicn
NO. 237