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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