Newspaper Page Text
VOL. 111.
T. X. WYNKK, W. H. DE WOLF,
JOHN H. MARTIN, JOHN H. STEWART.
Wynne, DeWolf & Cos.
PubLUheni and Proprietor*.
DAILY, (in advance) per annum $7 00
“ six mouths 4 00
** throe months 2 00
*• one month 75
WEEKLY, one year 2 00
(Shorter terms in proportion.)
RATED OP ADVERTISING.
One Square, one week $ 3 00
One Bquare, one mouth 8 00
One Square, six months 28 00
Transient advertisements SI.OO a square for
each insertion.
Fifty per cent. addltl<Aial in Local column.
Libera) rates te larger advertisements.
WASHINGTON.
NAVAI MOVEMENTS.
A GLUT OP SILVER IN THE
BANKS!
A COMBINATION OF COISTF.RFEIT
ERIK.
Washington, April 17.— Two moni
tors left Norfolk to-day for Washing
ton, in tow of the Tallapoosa.
Steamer Dispatch sails shortly for
Constantinople, for use of the U. S.
Minister there.
The Treasury will pay all sums
under $5 In silver when desired;
otherwise dollar bills will issue.
The bffnks complain of a glut of
silver. Four persons in Greene
county, Penn., and two in St. Louis,
making a combination of counter
feiters, have been arrested, and a
large amount of the “queer”
captured.
The extra session is again question
ed.
The Cabinet discussed the extra
session. It had concluded to call the
session June 4th, but to-day calling
it May 15th or dispensing with it al
together were considered at some
length, without ordering any change
in the original programme.
Thesituation in Louisiana was also
considered, but it was decided no
present action would bo proper.
It is officially announced that two
hundred will be discharged from the
Bureau of Printing and Engraving
to-morrow.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Special to the Const!tutioa.)
Columbia, S. C., April 16.—The
Chamberlain State House officers
decline to accede to the request of
Hampton to surrender their offices
and records.
The Governor will cause the offices
to be closed to-morrow, and seals
placed upon the doors to protect
public property in the respective
departments until proceedings now
pending in the Supreme Court shall
determine the controversy.
W. H.
Columbia, S. C., April 17.—The
ten Lowndesville murderers, colored,
sentenced to be hanged on next Fri
day. have been respited by Governor
Hampton for two weeks. It is
thought that some of them may be
commuted to imprisonment for life.
No developments to-day In the case
of State officers.
THE WHEAT CROPS.
REPORTS FAVORABLE, EXCEPT AS TO
GRASSHOPPERS.
Washington, April 17.—The statis
tical corps of the Department of Ag
riculture report upon the condition
of wheat in 868 counties of the winter
wheat region. In 218 the returns are
comparatively unfavorable. In 658
condition varying from average to
superior. Thrift is indicated in the
Atlantic States north of North Caro
lina, and in those of the
Ohio valley. There has been far
less injury from frost than usual.
Of those 120 counties in the Ohio ba
sin, only 45 report below average,
six-sevenths of the rports from the
Middle States are favorable. In Wis
consin, the unfavorable returns are
from 15 of the 66 counties reported.
In Kansas, from 17 of the 38 counties
grasshopper ravages are reported in
22 counties of eastern Kansas, from
Nebraska to the Indian Territory, as
far West as Sabine county.
The wheat-growing district in Tex
as is also alive with grasshoppers,
which threaten destruction of the
crops in several counties. More than
20 counties report the hatching of
spring broods. There is an increase
of area of wheat in Texas, and
prospects are favorable with the ex
ception of grasshopper ravages. In
the other common States, a dry au
tumn and variable winter have de
pressed the condition of wheat be
low the average.
LONDJN.
STOCK EXCHANGE FLAT.
Fran About a Movement foe the Release
of Arthur Orion.
London, April 17.— Business on
Stock Exchange to-day is flat.
The Globe of this evening says; In
view of the threatened march of a
body of Tichbornites to the House of
Commons, to present a petltiou for
the release of Arthur Orton, (the
Tichborne claimant,) all the troops
comprising the London garrison are
to be confined to their barracks after
5 o’clock this afternoon, and held in
readiness to turn out if required. It
has been affirmed that the petition
ers will number 100,000. Dr. Kenealy
has requested his followers not to
participate.
TWEED'S ’CONFESSION.
Mayor Hall Implicated.
With Many Other Office-Holder*.
New York, April 17.— Tweec) has
i made a confession going back to
18G7. Oakey Hall’s name figures in
the narrative. Many names and the
corrupt expenditure of much money
are mentioned. The names include
Woodin, Frost, Ellwood, Brand,
Winslow, Wood, Blood, Morgan—all
members of the State Senate. It
gives the circumstances of the di
vision of the spoils between himself,
Sweeny, Hall, Connolly and Wood
ward. It implicates Garvely, Inger
soll, Davidson, Watson, and a ma
jority of the members of the Board
of Supervisors, among them Jno.
Fox, James Hayes, Henry Smith,
Isaac J. Oliver, Mayer. Hall’s pro
portion was 10 per cent.; he shared
throughout in all tho profits, was in
full collusion with the vurious de
tails of fraud, and was fully aware
of the fraudulent naturo of contracts
prevented for his signature.
New York, April 17.—Tweed, in his
confession, says he gave H igh Hast
ings a check for $20,000, and for
smaller sums. Mr. Hastings brought
Mr. Jay Gould to him, continues Mr.
Tweed. The circumstances of the ar
rangement between himseif, Gould
and Fisk, by which the Erie classifi
cation bill was passed, which practi
cally enabled the gold directory of
the road to continue indefinitely in
power until the bill was repealed,
are well known. In return for this,
the Erie’s influence, through Gould
and Fisk, was used in behalf of
Tweed and his associates.
The confession concludes with the
promise that the writer will be a wit
ness for the city iu any suit brought
by the city to recover monies from
any of the persons mentioned. He
does not ask that the suits against
him be quashed, but that ho be re
leased from confinement without
bail.
Great excitement prevails among
politicians and others over Tweed’s
confession as published, Hugh Has
tings says, In reference to his re
ceiving $20,000 by check in 1870, from
Tweed to pay to Senator Woodin,
that be received the cheek as stated,
but Woodin had nothing whatever to
do with it. It was purely a business
transaction between Tweed and
himself in the stock broking line.
He admitted bringing Jay Gould and
Tweed together. At that time Tweed
was considered highly respectable.
Justiee Bixby denies that his
brother, Senator Bixby, even pro
posed immunity to Tweed in 1871,pro
vided he would have $150,00(1 of Jas.
G’Brien’s claims against the city
audited and paid. It is a falsehood
from beginning to end, said the
Judge.
Albany, April 17.— The Tweed state
ment published this a. m. creates con
siderable amusement about the cap
itol, and is pronounced a sensational
canard. The Attorney General has
received a paper in connection with
Tweed’s case, but Says be has not
time to read it, and until he can be
come acquainted with its contents,
he will not make it public.
Recorder Hackett declines to say
anything about the statement that
bis house paintings and book-cases
were paid for by the city’s money.
Wheeler H. Peckham, of couxsel
for the people in the Tweed case, said
it was true Tweed had made a state
ment, which be called a full confes
sion; that it was taken to Albany
last night by Mr. Townsend. The
synopsis in the World was, he sup
posed, substantially correct. It con
tained some things, at least, which
be knew were correct.
New York, April 17.— The E.rjrress
says of the Tweed statement: “The
tale told is but a partial revelation,
and the full confession will add an
amount of defail which will even
more sicken the public conscience.”
Ship News.
New York, April 17.—Arrived: Giist and
Bothnia and Cambria.
Arrived out: Pride of Wales, Diego, Capt.
IVter Dahl, Formosa, Shannon, Swift,
Jos. Thompson, Kalisto, Marie, Lizzie M
Morrill and Indiana.
Homeward: C. Meyer, Orleans.
Norfolk, April 17. Ship Princeton
sailed for Liverpool.
Monitors Passific, Wyandotte and Mont
suk departed for Washington, where they
will be tied up.
Washington, April 17.—The Signal Ob
server at Kitty Hawk reports the Seh'r.
Edward J. Herarty, of Philadelphia, came
ashore, and Is supposed to be lost. It
is a total wreck.
Wilmington, April 17.—Schooner Wil
lie F. Swyra, bound for New York, cargo
molases, put in for repairs and provisons.
She was thrown on her beam ends during
a gale and tilled with water, but righted
and with hard work got in port. Vessel
considerably damaged; the cargo partly
COLUMBUS, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, APRIL 18, 1877.
shifted, but extent of damage not ascer
tained,
Pilot bout, Euriah Lchnons, readied
Smitbville; crow safe.
No tidings of the Mary K. Sprount, and
no hopes entertained of her return.
New York, April 17.— Stouraer Olios
Land, from Havana, reports April IS, lat
38 deg. 4t min., encountered an 18 hour's
hurricane on tho 14th; saw several vessels
hove to with loss sails.
The Hostile Indians.
Camp Robinson, Neb., April 16, |
Lieut. Gen. Sheridan: I have just re
turned from Spotted Tail Agency.
The Northern Indians arrived during
my stay there. Their disposition
seemed to be very good, and Spotted
Tail says they are honest In their
professions. They also talk very
positively of the others coming, but
the news received through this
agency is still contradictory. I ex
pect to havo accurate information in
a few days.
In the event of any considerable
number of Indians staying, if yotl
will want to send the Pawnees to tho
mouth of Tongue river, it would
probably be well to defer their mus
ter fora few days until I con obtain
definite intelligence.
I expect 800 lodges of Cheyennes to
surrender at this place day after to
morrow. Tbo Indians who surren
dered at Spotted Tail Agency had not
yet been counted when I left. They
wero to havo been couuted to-day.
I shall have within a short time the
exact number.
Geo. Crook.
Brigadier General.
THE EASTERN QUESTION.
FKOBABLE DECLARATION OF
WAR ON #IST.
Order of the Russian Advance.
London, April 17.—The Turkish
Minister has received official contra
diction of reports of disturbances
iu various parts of Turkey and dis
turbances in the Turkish army.
St. Petersburg, April 17.— Ignatieff
will accompany the Czar to Kisehe
neff. It 13 expected war will be de
clared at Kischeneff April 21st.
London, April 17. —The Russian
army will probably advance in the
following order: The right wing,
which is the weakest portion, crosses
the Dneizter at Chateym and goes
along the Austrian frontier to Pasb
any; the centre by rail to Pashany;
the left wing, the strongest, will
cross the Danube between Rena and
Irwal.
London, April 17.—Special dis
patches fix Thursday as the probable
day for the embarkation of the Rus
sian embassy at Constantinople.
The Montenegrin delegates left
Constantinople yesterday for home,
via Odessa.
The different Montenegrin corps
are at their posts, but remain on the
defensive.
Skirmishing between the Meredites
and Turks continues.
London, April 17. —A Reuter dis,
patch from St. Petersburg says the
Czar leaves for the army almost im
mediately. He will confine himself
to inspecting the troops, and will not
take part in the campaign.
The order of the day, announcing
a declaration of war, has not been
issued in official quarters.
It is represented that the situation
compels Russia in a certain degree
to act single-handed. Russia alone,
among the great powers, has mobil
ized. The abrupt manner in which
the protocol would mako demobil
zation on Russia’3 part appear like a
retreat. Turkey, it is pointed out,
desires a confliot and forces on the
war. In her circular note, she not
only rejected the protocol, but in
principle denied to the European
powers the right and faculty
of urging in any way inter
nal reforms in Turkey, or de
manding guarantee for the ex
ecution and control of those amelio
rations. Thus an entirely new state
of things has been created by Tur
key, by which even the basis of tbe
conference has been set aside. Rus
sia, who mobilized with a view to
prevent the advance of the crescent
to Belgrade, to obtain reforms in
Turkey ensuring the security
of Christians and guarantees
for the execution and control
of measures of reform, has given,
during the last five months, a rare
example of her pacific intentions and
conciliatory endeavors. Turkey hav
ing rejected any opportunity of giving
a pacific turn to affairs, now urge
forward a decision by arms. It is
hence concluded that Russia, who is
now in arms, and has manifested her
desire for peace, cannot retreat.
Paris, April 17.—Mr. LaHard, who
passed through this city on Satur
day, is going to Constantinople with
the idea of keeping his Government
as correctly informed as possible of
the military and political affairs
about to occur, also the dispositioh
the Porte manifests during the ear
liest phases of the struggle, in order
to seize,- if possible, the moment
! when, in consequence of military
events, it will become possible to
evert mediatory influence.
The stocks shrinkage in New YVrk lias
been a serious thing. The decline in the
value of twelve leading stocks only from
the highest price of last year to the lowest
price tliis year is $185,(100,000. This is
more than the loss of wealth caused by
the Chicago fire.
LOUISIANA.
A PROPOSITION ACCEPTABLE TO THE
NICHOLLLS PARTY.
PACKARD UTILE REFRACTORY.
Nkw Orleans, April 17.— The Nieh
olls House caueussed favorably on
tho proposition to organize the
House on the basis of the fiist roll
call of the Nichoils Legislature,
omitting seven members since seated
as subject to ooutest. Tho result
would be 62 Democrats, 67 Republi
cans. The Commission will seek the
President’s approval of this plan be
fore submitting it to Packard.
Washington, April 17.—Packard
has sent another letter to the Presi
dent, in which he complains that the
Democrats refuse to agree to a meet
ing of all tho members of the Legis
lature holding certificates of the re
turning board, and allow this body
to deoide which is the legal govern
ment. Packard calls this the Presi
dent’s plan, and adroitly seeks to
place the Democrats in the attitude
of defying the Commission.
The Nichoils’ Legislature yester
day passed a series of pacificatory
resolutions, that are spoken of as a
part of tho plan of compromise, and
the latest advices are that it is pro
ceeding satisfactorily.
Frank N. Richardson, the Wash
ington correspondent of the Balti
more Sun, now on emergency duty
at New Orleans, telegraphs this,
which everybody here believes:
In a conversation with Gen. Haw
ley to-night, he stated that it was
possible the Commission might be
here a week longer, as tho members
had determined to exhaust every ef
fort to secure a harmonious adjust
ment of the Legislature. A proposi
tion of the Nichoils’ Government to
this end, will probably be submitted
to Packard to-morrow. If he rejects
that, another may be made, but by
neither of them can Packard obtain
control of the Legislature. As for
securing any legal settlement
through process of the State Courts.
Gen. Hawley says that is out of the
question, as the status of the Courts,
is just as much at issue as that of the
Legislature.
Gen. Hawley says if the Commis
sion finally concludes that no adjust
ment, can bo effected, they will have
nothing left but to report the fact to
the President. lie says that Gov.
Nichoils is exhibiting a commenda
ble spirit; he alsoßaid that if the mis
sion of hirqself and hi3 associates
should prove a failure, the President
will then determine whether to re
move the troops or to retain them
here with a purpose merely to pre
vent the shedding of blood, but iu no
other manner to interfere between
the contestants.
TERMS OF THE PROPOSER (SETTLE
MENT.
The New Orleans Democrat of
Monday states the terms of the pro
posed adjustment, and the conditions
affecting it, as follows :
1. Gov. Nicholls and the other
State officers of the Nicholls govern
ment shall be the constituted State
authorities.
2. The Senators conceded to have
been elected by the commissioners’
returns, and who are now co-opera
ting with the Packark sham govern
ment, shall be permitted to assume
their seats in the Senate.
3. The organization of the Heuse
shall not be changed in auy respecc:
The three members, Messrs. Tre
moulet, Cressv and Itolle of the
Seventh Ward of Orleans, who were
seated without contest, but whose
seats are questioned, and the seven
members, Messrs. Barbin, of Avoy
elles; Robertson, of St. Martin; Bil
lieu, of Lafourche; Ridgley, of Con
cordia; Keruochau, of Plaquemine;
Sartain, or Carroll, and Ferguson, of
the Fourteenth Representative Dis
trict of Orleans, who were seated on
contests, after a thorough investiga
tion and the reports of committees,
shall withdraw, and the ten seats
they hold, remain temporarily va
cant. The members really elected,
but who have remained in the Pack
ard caucus, shall be allowed to take
their seats in the House. Assuming
that all the members in the Packard
assembly would take their seats, the
House thus constituted under the set
t lenient, would be composed of sixty
Democrats aud Conservatives, and
fifty Radicals, with ten vacancies.
These vacancies, it is proposed, shall
be filled, after formal and legal con
tests, by the House.
As most of the Democratic contest
ants are beyond question entitled to
their seats, this settlement would
undoubtedly concede the State to the
legally elected authorities, executive
aud legislative. Several questions,
however, present themselves which
deserve to be considered.
Beyond doubt any agreement, or
arrangement will be, on the part of
the authorities, a free concession.
For if this proposition, or any other
that may be made, shall be rejected,
aud the Legislature determines to
stand squarely on its constitutional
rights, the Commission, within a
brief period, will retire, the President
will order the withdrawal of the
troops, the Packard sham, like that
of Chamberlain, will cease to encum
ber and befoul the earth, and the
legitimate government will stand, ut
terly disembarrassed, in full control
of the State.
This would be to us the most satis
factory course for the government to
I pursue. But we have very reliable
; information that the proposition first
i mentioned meets the approbation of
a large majority of both houses.
The graver questions which present
themselves in relation to this settle
ment are: 1. Can the Senate of Lou
isiana permit the negro Senator De
mas, who was guilty of the grossest
perjurv, and who was expelled from
that body for that crime, to hold a
i seat among the Senators of the State
I of Louisiana? 2. Can the House per
mit the whito Representative Barret,
of Rapides, and Seveignes, of La
! fourche, who were expelled from its
i halls for the infamous crime of per
j jury, to assume seats among tho rep
j resentatlves of the people of this
| commonwealth ? 3. Seven represen
| tutives, occupying what are termed
contested seats, wero seated by a vote
of the House after their claims had
been thoroughly examined aud re
ported upon by a committee of the
House, Can the House unseat these
members, and virtually declare that
the report of its committee was un
fair and partisan, uud that its own
action is open to the suspicion of
illegality? 4. The Radical Senators
anil ltepresentators who might be
seated under this agreement would
doubtless claim their mileage and
I per diem.
5. Will tho Legislature, constitu
ted on tho prooosed basis—embrac
ing in its membership a large ele
ment of conspirators against the
peace and interest of the State —rep-
resent the wishes of the people in the
election of a United States Senator?
Will not a powerful movement no
made, in a body thus evenly bal
anced, and with a large corrupt ele
ment in it, to.bring übout a combina
tion to elect, a jobbing politician of
questionable principles and objec
tionable reoord to the Senate?
These are serious questions to be
considered in discussing this settle
ment. Thegovernmentshould stand
squarely upon the Constitution. In
this settlement no provisions of the
Constitution, no principle of local
self-government, should be violated.
Our position is impregnable; the es
tablishment of our government is in
evitable. At the same time we
should make no factious opposition
to any proposition of settlement sub
mitted by the President’s commis
sioners. We have won ; the victory
is ours. To overthrow the legal
governmrnt of this State now would
require the mustering of armies and
tho inauguration of wur. It is proper,
therefore, that while standing by our
rights, wo should exhibit a disposi
tion to meet, as far lis lies in our
power, the wishes of the President,
and accept a settlement of our af
fairs with his comruissiou on any
terms which will not involve a con
cession of principle or a sacrifice of
honor.
Grace Greenwood says, some of tne
most incompetent and unfaithful young
etnployecsof the government are the privil
eged sons, brothers and nephews of Sena
tors and members of Congress —black
sheep of the first families —idle, worth
less, dissipated fellows, hunters of bill
iard saloons and variety theatres, loung
ers in front of hotels and restaurants.
11l lIMMi OF THE STEAMER LEO.
From tlie Savannah News, Kith.]
The steamship Leo left Savannah
on Thursday, tho 12th, at three
o’clock, i’. M. for Nassau. On Friday
morning, about three o’clock, whilst,
a terrific sea was roiling, it was dis
covered that some of the freight be
tween decks had got loose and was
pitching about. The hatches were
opened tor the purpose of securing
the freight, when to the horror of
the crew angry forked tongues of fire
shot out, encircled witli volumes of
smoke. The hose was at once
brought iuto requisition, but the
fierceness of the gale, fanning the
flames which had already obtained
considerable headway, rendered una
vailing their most strenuous efforts,
and Captain James Daniels, who,
with his officers, was active, ordered
that the life boats be lowered. It was
apparent that the fire was not only
in tho hold but had forced itself
amidship and between decks, and
the ship was doomed.
The captain, with Several of the of
ficers, hurried to the forward deck
for the purpose of securing the life
raft, which was on the captain's cab
in, and dispatched aft another gang
under the command of the chief en
gineer,to assist in lowering the Boats.
The lire increased fearfully, and
breaking out fiercely amidships, en
tirely cut off communication between
the two gangs. It was now apparent
to all that only the interposition of
Providence could save them from the
terrible fate or being burned to death
or being drowned.
In the cabin were two middle-aged
ladies, the Misses Farrington, natives
of Nassau, aud members of a wealthy
and promiuent family in that prov
ince, who wore on tholr way home
alter a visit to the North and Savan
nah. They were both in feeble
health, aud efforts wero made to get
them out, but owing to the fearful
roiling of the ship and the rapidity
with which the flumes spread, the ef
forts were unavailing, aud it is ad
most certain that they perished in
Che flames.
The only other passenger was a Mr.
Papendiok, of New York, who, it is
supposed, aroused by the commotion
on deck, came up, aud thus got into
one of the life boats; but whether he
was saved or not, is a matter of
doubt. , .
Captain Daniels, with his party,
who were forward, managed to lower
the life raft, where thirteen succeed
ed in getting on board of it. The
stewardess who was on deck was
cullel to jump to the raft, aud in at
tempting to do this fell into the sea,
and despite every effort to secure her
was drowned.
She disappeared beneath the waves,
and was seen no more. The parties
on the raft were huddled together in
a cramped position, nearly naked,
cold aud shivering, and their situ
ation was extremely perilous, the
unpleasant conviction being forced
upon them that their tenure of life
was very uncertain. For a time they
were buffeted about in a terrible
manner. One heavy sea completely
capsized the fragile raft, throwing
the hapless occupants into the sea;
they frantically scrambled up on it
again, hut one unfortunate man, Mar
tin McQuade, belonging to the crew,
was washed overboard and lost it
being utterly impossible for the
crouching, trembling, shivering men
on the raft to do anything to save
him. After a most horrible time,
drifting hither and thither at the
mercy of the waves, the despairing
j. men were cheered by tbe sight of a
vessel bearing down on them, which
in aßhorttime reached their craft,
arid rescued them.
This vessel proved to be the Rus
sian hark Hoppett, Capt. Fredricks
sen, bound rrom Londou to Bull river,
South Carolina. The Captain dts
! covered the smoke from the burniog
| steamship Leo, bore towards her to
ascertain tho causd, and thus ran for
tunately upon the hapless party.
They wero taken on bourd in an ex
hausted condition, but tho lively
sympathies of Cupt. Frederickssen
and his men wore elicited, and in a
short time tho rescued men wore
made as comfortable as possible.
Owing to tho darkness and the ter
rible surroundings tho rescued party
saw nothing of those who got into
the life boats, but the supposition is
that they must have been driven off
in another direction and it is feared
were all lost, os they were not seen
the next day. Thero is a possibility,
however, that they may all have
been rescued, or at least a portion of
them, as the disaster occurred direct
ly in the courso of vessels coming to
Savanuah er Doboy from foreign
ports, being about eighty miles south
of Tybee.
RL’MNEM* EMIIAKRAMNMIM'M.
failures for first quarter of 1877.
Contrary to general expectation,
the number of failures in the United
States, for the first three months of
the present year, show a slight in
crease over those of the correspond
ing quarter of 1876. although the
amount of liabilities is somewhat less.
The quarterly circular of the Mer
cantile Agenoy of Messrs. R. G. Dun
& Cos. furnishes the following com
parisons :
FIRST QUARTER.
Yrara. Number of Arnouut of Average
Failures. Liabilities. Liabilities.
1875 1,082 $43,178,063 $21,784
1870 2.806 64,644,166 23,088
1877....... 2,869 64,538,074 10,010
The increase in number for the
quarter appears to be only sixty
three, and is only significant because
any increase at all was unexpected.
The falling off in the average of lia
bilities, however, is a good sign, and
ought to atone for the small addition
to numbers.
Iu seeking to account for the con
tinued large number of these casual
ties, the Agency states:
"Considering the political uncer
tainty in January and February, and
the restricted business which has
prevailed throughout the quarter, it
is rather surprising that the in
crease in failures is so small. It
must recollected that the decline in
the volume of trade, within the past
four years, has been much greater
than the decline in the number of
traders whom it sustains. If the
same ratio had prevailed in the num
ber of failutes and withdrawals from
business, in proportion as business
became restricted in extent duriog
the past three years, it is certain the
number of failures would have been
much greater, and, so long as busi
ness continues without material
improvement, so long may failures
be numerous. Some interesting
figures on this view of
tho situation may be glean
ed by comparing the disasters
in business with the decline in its ex
tent. For the three years, from the
end of 1873 to beginning of 1877, the
total number of failures in the Unlted
States has been 22,662. This amounts
to less than four per cmt. of those
engaged in business a/ the end of
1873. Tliis is iu small proportion to
the decline in the volume of trade.
It is difficult to arrive at any defi
nite conclusion as to the exteat of
this decrease, but if measured by the
falling off in imports, and the well
known decrease in the production of
manufactures, the internal business
of the country to-day, is less by thir
ty to thirty-five per cent. thaD it was
iu 1873. So that the number of with
drawals from business, by failure or
otherwise, is far less than seems eith
er justified or demanded by the de
cline iu the extent of business to be
transacted.”
After charging upon the bankrupt
law an aggravation of existing com
mercial disabilities, tbe Messrs. Dun
& Cos. conclude their review as fol
lows :
"The early prospect of a practical
settlement of the Southern question
is regarded as a marked contribu
tion toward a return of more pros
perous times. The great staples of
this section are of prime importance
in the markets of the world, and its
power of absorption of goods, es
pecially in view of the small stocks
held, is too well-known tc need com
ment. If recent events remove the
clog from its material progress, and
inspire its people with energy to ex
teud their productions and increase
their wealth, a better hope may be
entertained for the whole- country.
This, with other indications, are of
an encouraging character, and lead
to the belief that the worst is past,
and if we are favored with another
good crop of agricultural produce,
the remainder of the year will ena
ble us to mark a substantial prog
ress.”
A DESERTED HUSBAND.
A MOST EXTRAORDINARY STORY.
Prom the Buffalo Sunday News, April I.J
A few weeks ago Poormaster Level re
ceived a letter trutn a man named Charles
Hall, a widower, living at Salamanca. The
letter was upon the subject of matrimony.
The writer said he was a f armer, In good
circumstances, and a respectable,. sober,
kind-hearted man, withal. He said fur
ther that, a short time previous, Ins wife
had died, leaving himself and five chil
dren to mourn her departure. He was
desolate, and would like to have a wo
man who could take the place of his late
companion and he a mother to his off
spring Had the Poormaster such a wo
man in the Alms-house, and would he
send her down? Mr. Level paid no atten
tion to the letter; and on last Thursday
week, the 22d of March, Mr. Hall appear
ed in person at the Poormaster’s office to
sec why his letter had not been answered.
Mr. Level told him that lie bad supposed
the fellow who wrote the letter had been
fooling a little. Hall said no, he was in
earnest, and wanted a wife. The Alms
House wagon was at the door. Hall at
once started out to that institution to see
what Wischerath could do for linn in Ins
dilemma. . . .
That officer was not at home, but Ins
lady listened to the appeal of the wife
seeker and when he was through with his
story, said she thought she could accom
modate bitn. She went to tbe womans
ward, and brought down for inspection a
pauper, named Frederica Jerge. She was
a German, a widow, and had a handsome
little baby about three months old. Hall
inspected her thoroughly, asked her some
questions, popped the question, and was
accepted by the blushing widow, who was
willing to be a second time a Lnae.
WhaC little luggage she had was garnered
together, the baby was bundled up, a
the happy pair were driven down 10 Jus-
tice O’Brien’s office, where, about 6
o’clock in the afternoon, that obliging es
quire tied the knot which made them man
and wife. It was too late to take the
cars for Salamanca, it being aftor train
time, and so Hull took his bride to pass
the first night of their honeymoon at a
hotel below the terrace.
At 6 o’clock in the morning tho new
Mrs. Hall rose from the nuptial couch,
dressed herself, took her baby and went
down stairs. She met the hostess and
told her that she was tired of Hall, and
would not bo his wife any longer. She
tied.. Hall awoke from his dreams to find
himself and some bugs the sole occupants
of the bed. lie rose, put on his clothes
and went down stairs, uud there learned
the story of his wile’s desertion, and that
he was once more a lone widower. He
went up to the Justice's office where he
hail been married, and, telling the clerk
that his alms-house wife had flown he
knew not whither,requested him to scratch
the records of the wedding from his books.
He said he would try again, and keep on
trying till he found a wife who would
stav with him.
This story, though stranger than fiction,
is all true, as both Poormaster Level and
Justice O’Brien can substantiate. What
became of Fredorica, and why she prefer
cd the life of a pauper or vagrant, per
haps, to the idea of remaining with
Charles Hall, is not known, but would
be interesting to follow up. Perhaps it
was incompatibility of disposition, or
the lady thought she was marrying a
male angel, and was so disappointed to
find that be was only a man, that she
went and committed suicide or something
worse. No doubt the curious will won
der if Hall has yet found a woman to
take the places of his two departed ones
and to be a mother to his sorrowing
children. Ilis rebutalion, at least as a
husband, must be below par in Sulamaii
ca, or the widows and maidens of that
village would never permit him to go to
the County Alms Houss in search if a
wife.
From the Augusta Chronicle, 17th.]
Hon. H. 11. Hill.
Senator Benjamin H. Hill spent
Sunday in Augusta. He was on his
way to Oglethorpe Court, and buy
ing great uffection for this city and
its people, determined to pass a quiet
day in our midst. His appearance
on the streets, in the morning, was
the signal for many hearty congrat
ulations from passers-by. He seems
to be in high health and robust spir
its and had no hesitation in giving
ilis views on thesituation to all who
sought them. His mind is like
the Nile, enriching all that it
dwells upon. He claims that
the Southern members of Con
gress, in defeating filibusterism
and expediting the electoral oouut,
saved the country from disastrous
strife, and entitled the Democratic
party, as represented largely by this
section, to the eternal gratitude of
patriots and lovers of the Federal
Union everywhere. He repudiates
scornfully the idea that Mr. Hayes
was counted in as the result of dicker
and bargain by certain Democratic
gentlemen on tne one side, and Stan
ley Matthews and Charles Foster on
the other. Tho assertion of such a
theory, he declares, belittles and be
fouls the grandest act of tho political
history of the day.
Mr. Hill has faith in the Presi
dent’s policy and steadfastness. He
believes Mr. Hayes to be an honest
man and a determined one. He pre
dicts that Louisiana will very soon
be as free as South Carolina, and that
ner deliverance will come by the
logic of events, and hot as the result
of past or present intrigue by busy
body statesmen or men wbo are cred
ited with being such. He asserts
that the Democratic party has the
noblest chance in its career for ob
taining power, and nothing but the
most stupid blundering can prevent
its securing the domination of Feder
al affairs within a brief period. The
hostility of extremists like Phillips,
Garrison, Blaine and Ben Wade wili
compel the President to rely upon
the Democracy to aid him in the
true battle for peace, union and the
common weal.
Mr. Hill scouts the idea that the
House of Representatives will be or
ganized on any other than a Demo
cratic basis, and with a Democratic
Speaker. Ho thinks Mr. Randall
will be le-elected to his old position.*
Mr. Hill drew a grand and dram&tic
picture of the future of the South.
His words were inspired by tho pro
phetic character of bis vision and
kindled his hearers with an enthusi
asm correspondeutial with his own.
He evidently awaits with some impa
tience the meeting of Congress, when
the war of intellectual giants wili be
gin. Among the prominent men who
will appear in that stupendous de
bate, in the forum of reason, there
will be no grander figure than’ B. H.
Hill’s.
Lincoln's Joke on “Little Alec.”—Pres
ident Grant has been telling Senator Gordon
this story, which is not the worse for having
been told before:
“When the three Commissioners met us
at Fortress Monroe, Mr. Stephens came
swaddled up from top to toe in an enormous
overcoat. Lincoln called me aside as Ste
phens was disrobing and observed, “Grant,
what does that performance of Stephens’ re
mind you of?” I answered, ‘Mr. President,
Ido not know. But what does it remind you
of?’ With one of bis queer winks Lincoln
said, ‘lt reminds me of the biggest shuck off
the smallest ear I ever saw in my life.’ ”
A sad stofy is related of a lady at a
party in London whose dress and form
were faultless. Just before dinner an ad
mirer offered her a flower from his but
tonhole, which she fastened to her dress
with a pin. As they went down to din
ner, the gentleman thought he heard a
noise as though wind were escaping from
a bellows. The lady had soon lost her
fair proportions, and thb tightly-fitting
dress was most baggy. It appears that
the latest fashion for thin ladies’ dresses
is an air-tight lining blown out to the
proper size. The pin put to keep the
fiower in had penetrated the air-tight lin
ing; and caused a great collapse.
The Rev. Abraham Jaeger, for
merly Rabbi of the Jewish Syna
gogue in Mobile, who some months
since was received into the Baptist
Church, and appointed to the chair
of Hebrew in the Baptist Theological
Seminary in Greenville, S. C., was oa
Thursday last confirmed by Bishop
Wilmer, and has gone to Sewanee
preparatory to taking orders m the
Episcopal Church.
“A stitch in time saves nine.” A
bottle of Dr. Bull’s Cough Syrup will
often save large doctor bills. Keep
it handy, for it only costs 25 cents.
NO. 92