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OLD SERIES VOL. LXXXI.
NEW SERIES VOL. XXXVIII.
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Addre## WAI.HII A WRIGHT,
Chroviclt k Sfmivkl, Augusta. Ca.
<£f)rontcle and Sentinel.
WEDNESDAY JULY 16, 1*74.
MINOR TOPICS.
The Springfield Itrjnihliran thinks Butler ha*
a right to run for Congress in Hoar’s district if
ho want* to and if ho can’t eee hi* way clear
in his own. We had a suspicion when we saw
Hoar's announcement of withdrawal from the
field, the other day. that he had retired to
give hie friend Ben. a chance. The «acrifice»
that these two bottom friends Will not make for
each other are not worth malting.
Jiißtice in Hometimcß «wist in Oregon, even
when adminixtered according to law. A brawl
ing fellow named Gibbon* fired a pistol at a
woman in Portland. An officer interfered, and
Gibbons killed the officer. The next day. Mon
day, an inquost was held, and on Tuesday Gib
bons watt committed for trial. On Wednesday
be wan indicted, on '1 hursday lie watt arraigned
on Friday he watt found guilty, and on Satur
day he watt sentenced to be hanged. It is al
most rfoedless to add that he hadn’t any money.
Cable dispatch from Uncle Sam to the Em
peror of China : Gorgeous Brother of the Hun.
Celestial Uncle of the Moon and Stupendous
Grandfather of the Ktani: Your fire-crackers
playdell hTO yesterday -the Glorious Fourth.
Permit no more to ho shipped to me, or I’ll
come around there and whip enough dog out
of you to make a full pack of hounds Ever of
thou. U. 8.
The first victim of the new law of Congress
by which leading statesmen propose to protact
themselves from newspaper criticism is Mr.
Buell, of the Detroit Free Fress, who, it will bo
remembered, charged Senator Chandler in a
letter to the Free Press with being intoxicated
in the Senate Chamber. A grand jury of the
District has found a true bill against Mr.
Buell, and though that gentleman is not now
within the Jurisdiction of the Court, it is un
derstood that he will appear and answer to the
charge.
South Carolina is not dead yet. The evi
doncee lio in the fact that anew cotton factory
has Just boon completed in Greouville, with a
capital of one hundred thousand dollars, the
proprietors of wh eh intend to run fifty cards
and three thousand spindles, and to manufac
ture cotton yarn; anil that the Piedmont cotton
factory, just below Greenville, on the Saluda,
is partially in operation, and promises gratify
ing results ; and to close tho latest evidences
that "there is life in the old laud yet," the
K.iiglish manufacturing company of South
Carolina, with a capital of three hundred thou,
sand dollars, will soon liavo a largo factory at
work in Spartanburg county,
Avery curious picture, disagreoab’o and
rather enigmatical, but which many stop, to
look at in the Paris Salon, is Cormon’a “Une
Jalousie an Keveil." A negro displays the life
loss corpse of a fair young woman stabbed to
death. Lying upon a high couch, on which
she seems to work herself forward by snake
like writhing*, another inmate of the seraglio
brings her face near to that of her murdered
rival, and smiles fiendishly in gratified hate.
This unrestrained‘outburst of a savage nature
and of unbridled passion contrasts effectively
hut net pleasantly with tlitf wan, iluad face and
sunken eyes of the victim, and with the stolid
impas-abilily of tho negro, impervious alike to
compassion and to remorse.
The latest notable wedding in England has
been that of the Marquis of Boumont and
Lady Anne Spencer Churchill, daughter of tho
Duke of Marlborough. The marriage was a
very grand affair ; indeed, everything about it
was grand tho bride, bridegroom, the drosses,
the marriage guests and the spectators. Tho
brido was dressed in white satin, trimmed with
Brussels lace. Sho wore a wreath of orange
iloweis, a Brussels laca veil, a tiara of dia
monds, a diamond necklace, pendant and ear
rings, a diamond bracelet, and a diamond pen
dant in front of her dresH, the jewelry being
presents from tho parents of tho bridegroom,
her own parents, the tenantry on her husband's
estates, the town of Kelso, and the Earl of
Dudley.
Considerable interest is manifested in a con
troversy botwoon (tenoral Sherman and the
Secretary of War, Geueral Belknap, in regard
to their respective duties, which seems liUely
to result in the withdrawal of tho former from
Washington and the establishment of his head
quarters at St. Louis. The old theory that in
times of peace tho civil authority should be
supreme even in matters relating to tho dilu
tion of military and naval affairs is practically
enforced in a manner that gives General Sher
man ample leisure, but little real work or
direct control; and as his efforts to exten 1 the
boundary of his power have not proved sue
cessful, it is supposed that he is about to re
move liis headquarters to St. Louis for the
purpose of avoiding tho initations inseparable
from a continued residence at tho Natioual
Capital.
There will ho no general recognition of the
sentimental sympathy that there is an attempt
to get up in some quarters over tho disohargo
of a few hundred Goverum iit employees in
Washington. The thing was a necessity that
had been too long postponed, and which now
done is not to be undone by fainting spells or
piteous whluings. Tho panic last Fall throw
out of employment many score of thousands of
hard working people whose claims were far
more deserving, and whose cases were more
hard than that of those people who. after en
joying fair sal rics for some time, are sent
sway from Washington with two months'ad
vance pay i-i their pockets. Os course, it is
not pleasant that anybody should be thrown out
of employment, even if only temporarily in
convenienced, and the necessity for the reduc
tion of the force may be regretted, but we
must still insist that the case is not one pro
perly calling for any great expenditure of pub
lic sympathy.
The financial exhibit at tho ending of the
fiscal year. June 80th. is regarded at Washing
ton as much more auspicious than could have
been &nticii>ated by tbe most sanguine six
months ago. Then it was predicted that with
out the imposition of new taxes, the receipts of
the year would fail to meet the expenditures
by at least $12,000.0 0. On tho contrary, the
balance sheet shows an excess of receipts
over expenditures of $4,870,000 during the
year, and the debt has beeu reduced to that
amount. Tho drafts on the Treasury have
been increased in June by the deficiency bill
and various expenditures attending the set
tlements for the fiscal year, and. under the
circumstances, ti e reduction is all that could
bo hoped for. The refunding of six per cent,
bond* during tbe year has amounted to $!,-
168,1X0. There are still $185,000,000 of six
per cent. Isuids outstanding, which it is be
lieved may be refunded into fives during the
next year. Measures looking to tins end are
now under consideration.
Tbe young woman who died in Faria, Ken
tucky. the other day. from an overdose of arse
nic taken for the purpose of improving her
complexion, is not the first of her sex with j
whom vanity has proven a weakness stronger I
than her fear of death. In BeUefomtaine eeme- :
tery. near Bt. Louie, the most magnificent of i
its manv splendid monmmeuts stands above
the remains of one who, during her brief so- :
cial career, was the fairest woman in that great ;
city. The exquisite beauty of her skin was a I
matter of wonder amoug the fashionable and
tho unfashionable. Os all the mysteries of her
toilet, the secret of that marvelous complexion I
was the most impenetrable, and she had re
solved to carry it with her to the grave. One
fatal night, her luxurious mansion was throng
ed with the i iite. As she moved among her
guests a friend remarked that she did not look
as well as usual. In a moment or so the hostess
glided quickly from the room and went up
stairs. They found her, an hoar afterward,
lying dead before a mirror in her dressing
room. On the bureau was a small jar of arseuic.
The poison told Us own story. In the excite
ment of tbe moment she had swallowed more
than her accustomed portion, and had paid the
peualty-of the blunder with her life.— Fnton
4 nierican.
THE COLORED REPUBLICAN IS
SUE.
i Fred Douglass is determined to make
the question of Civil Rights an issue in
the approaching campaign if he can in
duce the colored people of the South to
listen to his teachings. He declares
that by the “treachery of Republican
i members of Congress, elected in large
part by colored votes, the negro is con
tinued an outlaw. Every ballot that
j shall be cast by colored men for the so- (
i called Republicans who on Saturday
night last voted against the Civil Rights :
bill will be regarded as so many endorse
. merits of their treason. Our people are ;
i not the cowards to kiss the hand that j
j smites them. They must not be led into
i the support of pretended friends by j
sophistry or intimidation. Defeat every
pretended Republican who voted against
the Civil Rights bill.”
MADE ITS WILL AND BOUGHT ITS
CEMETERY LOT.
The Washington correspondent of the
New York Graphic writes that the “Re- !
publican party appears to have made its \
will and secured its cemetery lot. Most \
of the able Republicau leaders, I see, .
freely say that the next Congress will be ;
close or anti-Administration, and if the
latter, will have in its hands the succes- I
sion to the White House. Mark this, i
Carpet-bagging has lost, with all its j
cunning, every State in the South but |
two, and they are reproaches. Colfax j
and Morton between them, the types of :
our disease and of the quack doctors j
who would cure it, are aware that Indi- J
ana lias slipped back definitely to the j
reaction and will hardly return one Re-1
publican to Congress. Pennsylvania is
also in a precarious state. Illinois is i
one vast Grange. Wisconsin, is lost al
ready. California is gone. These facts
excite no apprehension any more, nor
have we any apprehensions of rebellion
or repudiation or invasion.”
COUNT I)E CHAMBORD.
Again has the Count de Chambord
spoken. His language is very different
from what it was a few months ago The
leader of the Monarchists evidently
feels that the time has come when he
must make up his mind to accept or re
ject the crown which the Right would
place upon his head. Once before it
seemed as if he might have had a
throne by speaking one word. He de
clined to say it. Ho declined—Bour
bon like—to remember anything, to re
cognize anything which has happened
since his family was expelled from
power. He appeared to know nothing
of the Republic of Forty-eight. He
hud lost sight of the Empire. He had
even forgotten tho Commune. If he
was to be King be would be King by
right divine. The crown was his heri
tage. lie would take nothing from the
people. He would give no guarantees
against an abuse of power. He refused
to make any concessions. He would ac
cept sovereignty only upon his own
terms. Asa consequence the move
ment to make him King of France—a
movement which at one time gave
abundant prospect of success—was
stopped. The most slavish only of the
Monarchists, the blindest believer in
tho divine right of Kings, only were
willing to accept him upon such condi
tions. A majority of tho faction which
favored a restoration of royalty fell away
from his support. Better, they thought,
* llsniiki;- xu. - --
freedom than a Monarchy which de
clined oven to disguise its despotism.
So the figure of the Count de Chambord
seemed to fade from French poli
ties and the eyes of the Right were
turned in another direction, seeking for
a man who dwelt in the present—for
one whose life was not bound up in the
past. It is evident, however, that dur
ing the past few days a erisis has been
approaching. Imperialism or monarchy
seems inevitable. De Chambord has
been made to feel that he did a foolish
thing. He has realized that he has
committed a mistake. He has, there
fore, issued a manifesto which breathes
a very different spirit from that con
tained iu his letter of last Spring. He
says nothing of divine right. He de
clares that “ French Christian mon
archy is a limited monarchy in its very
essence.” He is in favor of two cham
bers—one elected by the people, the
other chosen by the crown. His other
expressions indicate a decided prefer
ence of limited power, such as France
has never possessed—for a government
which will rostraiu alike the encroach
ments of the crown, of the nobility, of
the mob. His manifesto constitutes a
platfrom upon which all Frenchmen of
moderate views and conservative senti
ments may rally. Let ns see what it
will accomplish.
100MB8 VS. STEPHENS.
It appears that Georgia is to be agi
tated by another encounter of “intellec
tual giants.” The echoes of the Hill-
Stkpiiens conflict have scarcely died
away—in fact there is some doubt as to
whether the battle has really closed—
and yet a new* “discussion” has com
menced, involving like the other a ques
tion of veracity. This time the com
batants are two men who have been firm
friends for more than a quarter of a
century—Messrs. Toombs and Stephens.
The casus belli is the State Road lease
—a fruitful source of strife and conten
tion. Our readers will remember that
among the origiual lessees was Hon.
Alexander H. Stephens who was
awarded, we believe, one-half or one
fourth of a share. Subsequently Mr.
Stephens stated he had discovered
that the Skago - Dobbins Company
had made a higher bid than the
Brown-Delano combination, and he
withdrew from the lessees, deeding his
interest to the State of Georgia. Gov
ernor Bullock afterwards sanctioned
the transfer of this share to Colonel
George H. llazlehurst, President of
the Macon and Brunswick Railroad
Company. The Seago Company con
tested the fairness of the lease, and em
ployed General Toombs as their counsel.
Some time since the latter filed a bill in
Fulton Superior Court to Lave the lease
set aside upon the ground of fraud in
its procurement. Several months ago
General Toombs tiled a second bill—as
collateral to the first suit—against
the lessees in the name of Mr. Stephens.
for the purpose of recovering the inter
est surrendered by the latter and one
million dollars as the profits to which he
was entitled since the lease went into
operation. This latter suit was a sur
prise to the people, and occasioned a
great deal of comment. A few days
after the publication of the commence
ment of this suit the Washington cor- j
respondent of the Atlanta Herald tele- i
graphed that be was authorized by Mr.
Stephens to state that the bill had been
filed without his knowledge or consent. |
In March following Mr. John A. Ste
phens, as attorney for his uncle, exiled
the attention of Judge Hopkins to the
suit brought by “ one Robert Toombs,’
made the same statement as the corres
! pondent, and had it dismissed. Since
that time nothing has been published of
the matter, save the rumor of correspon
dents as to the facts of the case and the
j course contemplated by General Toombs.
; A publication which appeared in the last
issue of the Atlanta Herald settles all
j donbt as to General Toombs’ position.
The following is the article to which we
allude :
Washington, Ga., July Ist, 1874.
Messrs. Alston & Cos., Atlanta, Ga.:
Iu the last Maich term of Fulton Su
perior Court, in order to recover for the
of the State of Georgia the one
fourth part of one share in the lease of
the Western and Atlantic Railroad Com
pany, which interest had been conveyed
| to the State by deed, by Alexander H.
I Stf.PjE.ns, oue of the original lessees of
| said road, I filed a bill in equity in the
; name of Alexander H. Stephens, com
j plainant, against the Western and At
| lantic Railroad and George Hazelhnrst,
j and made the State a party defendant to
I the bill, that she might assert and re
| cover her rights.
I On the 4th day of March, after the
1 filing of the bill, you published a tele
gram, signed Specks, from your special
i correspondent at Washington City, alleg
ing in substance that he was authorized
j by Mr. Stephens to say that I had used
| lbs name iu that judicial proceeding
without his authority or consent. And
when the Superior Court of Fulton
| county met in March, Mr. John A.
Stephens, acting as the attorney of Mr.
j Alexander H. Stephens, made a similar
statement iu open Court, and dismissed
the bill. Mr. A. H. Stephens has fully
recognized the uction of his agents.
I brought that bill by the express au
thority and consent of Alexander H.
| Stephens.
I am, very respectfully, &c.,
R. Toombs.
Commenting upon this card, the edi
tor of the Atlanta Herald furnishes
some additional facts in connection with
the matter, which have not hitherto been
given to the public. He says:
When the Herald containing “Specks’ ”
dispatch reached Gen. Toombs, he at
once sent a telegram to the Herald,
stating that “Specks” had told a false
hood; because, if his dispach was true,
it convicted Mr. Stephens of falsehood,
and he knew Alex. Stephens was inca
pable of falsehood. This dispatch was
received by Mr. J. Henly Smith, the
business manager of the Herald, and
he suppressed it without the knowledge
of the proprietors; and they were never
informed of the fact until they heard it
from Gem. Toombs. Mr. Smith wrote a
letter to Gen. Toombs, giving as a reason
for not publishing his telegram that he
had that day seen a private letter from
Mr. Stephens, in which he stated that
he had fully authorized the dispatch of
“Specks,” and he felt confident that he
(Gen. Toombs) would not desire to have
his telegram published under this state
of facts. Gen. Toombs replied to Mr.
Smith’s letter approving of what he had
done, stating that he, of course, should
have regretted branding “Specks” with
falsehood when he had not told one.
Here began a long correspondence be
tween Sen. Toombs and Mr. Stephens,
which has just closed. The publication
of Gen. Toombs’ letter may cause it to
be made public; but, at present, the only
facts which have appeared in the news
papers are, that “Specks” telegraphed
that he had been authorized by Mr.
Stephens to state that the suit brought
by Gen. Toombs against the lessees of
the W. & A. R. R. had been entered
without his authority or consent,. Mr.
Stephens subsequently stated that he
had authorized the very words of this
dispatch.’
TOOM BS-STEPH ENS.
Iu another column we publish Mr.
Stephens’ reply to General Toombs. It
will be seen that the whole issue turns
upon the character of the bill filed in
Fulton Superior Court against the les
sees of the Western and Atlantic Rail
road. If it was brought for tho use of
Mr. Stephens lie says it was filed with
out authority; if for the benefit of the
State he has no objection to make. This
seems to be his position. Inasmuch as
he had the bill dismissed ho must have
been informed of its naturo. It now re
mains to be seen what the bill really
was.
TIIE SAVANNAH RIVER IMPROVE
MENT.
It is a great mistake to suppose that
the people of Augusta, of Eastern Geor
gia alone, are interested in the success
of the scheme which has been inaugu
rated for the improvement of the Savan
nah river. South Carolina is fully as
much interested as we are. The western
portion of that State will be fully as
much benefitted by success atnl equally
injured by failure. We would like to see
the attention of the people of that sec
tion diiccted to this matter. There
should be concert of action and mu
tual assistance. What say our friends
in Barnwell, Edgefield, Abbeville, An
derson and Pickens ? On this side of
the river effective work will be done and
we have little doubt of tho result. Our
next Representative in Congress from
this District—whoever he may be—will
be a warm advocate of the measure and
with the assistance of the Georgia dele
gation will, we think, be able to obtain
an ample appropriation. We may be
able to get enough at the next session to
pay the a preliminary survey
by competent engineers. We believe
that of the number of prominent gentle
men in this District who are spoken of
as candidates for the Congressional
nomination there is not one who will not
I gladly aid the good work to the extent
| of his power, and if the proper assistance
Ibe given we see no reason why the
movement should not be successful. At
all events there is no harm iu trying.
THE EIGHTH DISTRICT.
Hon. Alexander H. Stephens lias
sent us for publication a correspond
ence, which appears in another column
of the Chronicle and Sentinel this
morning. In reply to a letter from the
Democratic Executive Committee of
Greene county, asking his intentions,
Mr. Stephens writes that he will not
again be a candidate for Congress, and
he deems it due to tbe people of tbe
Eighth District that they should be in
formed of his determination. Mr. Ste
phens gives as the reason for his retire
ment from public aflV.irs his physical
infirmities and failing health. Since he
left Washington last Spring he has
grown no better, and he feels unable to
venture upon a second term of office.
In frank and dignified language, he in
forms his constituents of his condition
and of the resolution which he has taken.
He can serve them no longer, and
they must look elsewhere for a represen
tative in the councils of the nation. !
About fourteen years ago the same j
causes which now compel him to aban- j
! don the public service foreed him into
a retirement from which he only came ;
when the people asked his assistance in
their struggle for independence. After 1
that struggle was over he remained at
home engaged in literatv pursuits until
about eighteen months ago he was elect
ed to Congress from this District, and
took his seat, hoping to do his State !
and country some good. After serving
a few months he was prostrated by sick
ness, and, as will be seen from his let
ter, there is but little hope of lus ever
being well enough to re-enter public
life. Should he be able to return to
Washington, be will serve out the re
mainder of bis term. If not, he will re
sign in time for his successor to be
chosen in November. This intelli- j
gence will be received with genuine
feelings of regret by the people .of the :
whole State, as well as of the Eighth
District—even by those whose opinions
differ from those entertained by Mr.
Stephens— and all will unite in wishes
that his illness may be less serious
than he imagines it to be. He has de
; voted a long life to the cause of his
j people. He has held the most impor
tant positions, and rendered the most
distinguished services. He has made
an illustrious name for himself and ac
quired a fame which will remain the
prond heritage of a whole people. The
I country can ill afford to lose tbe ser-
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, JULY 15, 1574.
vices of such a man at such a time. The
best wishes of his people will accompany
him into his retirement, and the re
mainder of his earthly pilgrimage will
be made smoother and happier by the
consciousness of a life well spent in the
service of his fellow-men.
A THIRD TERM.
The extreme wing of the Republican
party, is most bitterly opposed to a third
term of President Grant. In this con
nection we publish a most pronounced
article from the number of Harper's
Weekly for July 11th, in which the posi
tion is taken that, if Gen. Grant is
nominated by the Republicans for a
third term, the parly will be rent asun
der and its success ivill be made utterly
hopeless. The article is remarkable for
the force with which it advocates tho oue
term principle as being more in accord
ance with the genius of our Government
and more conducive to its purity and
the permanency of the Republic. As
indicative of the views of extreme Repub
licans, this article from Harper's Weekly
is suggestive of a deep and growing op
position against a third term. It says
plainly that the only way General Grant
can obtain the nomination from the Re
publican party is to pack the Convention
with his organized army of office hold
ers, and that if he secures the nomina
tion in this way it will lead to the dis
ruption of the party.
LEGAL HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OP
GRACE.
Atlanta, Ga., June 26, 1874.
Editor of the Journal of Commerce :
By the laws of Georgia, paper falling
due on Sunday is payable on Saturday,
but when falling due on a holiday, it is
payable on the following day. This
year the 4th of July falling on Saturday,
what day will paper due on Saturday,
4tli, and Sunday. stli, be due? Your
answer will much oblige
A Subscriber.
Reply. —Our subscriber, we think, is
mistaken about the “laws of Georgia.”
By the usage of the common law,Sunday’s
paper is payable Saturday, but we can
find uo'provisions in the Georgia statutes
ou the subject. The fact, however, is
the same. Neither cau we find a statute
giving a general rule as to holidays, save
that by section 2,783 of the Revised
Code, 1873, holidays are to be consider
ed an 4 treated as Suuday, paper due
thereon being payable the day preced
ing. When Monday becomes a holiday,
by substitution for Sunday, however,
the paper “which but for this section
would become duo ou such Sunday or
Monday” is payable on Tuesday. We
can find no statutory provision for paper
falling duo on Sunday, the previous day
being a holiday, but in accordance with
law and usage, paper maturing on the
4th and sth of July this year is payable
on the 3d. — Journal of Commerce.
Ellis, formerly President of
the National B.mkof the Commonwealth,
New York, which failed in the*panic of
last Fall, was arrested Tuesday evening
at his residence in Tarrytown, on an in
dictment in the United States Circuit
Court, for having misapplied $53,000 of
its money, in December, 1872, to buy
stock of the bank, which stock he after
ward (as alleged) deposited with the Se
curity National Bank to obtain credit
on, drawing against the value of the
stock so depreciated. It is also charged
that false entries were made to cover
these transactions.
a. lhTNYention is now being belli at
Brussels to remodel, modernize and
codify international law. Though the
condition of Europe at present seems
inopportune for such a movement we
hope for the most beneficial results from
its deliberations. One of the great ob
jects of civilization should be, as it in
evitably will be, unification. A uniform
and equitable code of laws for the. regu
lation of national intercourse is one step
towards the end. Unification of lan
guage may come next.
A malignant wretch in Atlanta has
caused quite a sensation in that city by
mailing numbers of postal cards to lead
ing citizens charging them annoymonsly
with every species of licentious conduct.
One was addessed to the Judge of the
Superior Court, making specific charges
against several well known ladies and
gentlemen. Detectives have been em
ployed to hunt down the miscreant and
when discovered there should be a
prompt and vigorous application of cow
hide to Ills back.
Two of the representatives of Massa
chusetts in the preseut Congress have de
clined a renomination —Messrs. 11. L.
Dawes and E. R. Hoar. Mr. Dawes
has served for eighteen consecutive
years, and during most of that time has
been upon the most important com
mittees and has been recognized as one
of the leaders of the House. He was a
candidate for the Senate a few months
ago, and has doubtless retired from the
House in order to go into training for
the higher position. «
The Congressional Convention for the
Sixth District will be held in Milledge
ville, on the 12th of August. The two
most prominent candidates for the
nomination in this District seem to be
Mr. Blount, the present incumbent, anil
Mr. Nutting. The contest promises to
be a warm one and the issue appears
doubtful. Mr. Nutting came near be
ing successful in 1872, and his chances
are considered much better now than
they were then.
The Rome Commercial advocates the
nomination of Hon. D. S. Printup as
the Democratic candidate for Congress
from the Seventh District. The other
candidates are Gen. Young, W. D. An
derson, George N. Lester, Dunlap
Scott, W. T. Wofford, L. N. Tram
mell, J. A. W. Johnson, J. D- Wad
dell. Truly a formidable lay out.
Gen. Beauregard has accepted the
position of chief engineer of the Argen
tine Republic, with the rank of major
general, at a salary of $-5,000 in gold.
He had refused an offer of $20,000. He
will have charge of all the engineering
enterprises of that government; will
superintend the coast defenses; plan the
construction of railways, etc. The Gen
eral will sail for his new post of duty in
a few Mays.
The Washington correspondent of the
New York Tribune says that when the
result of the Senate’s deliberations on
the nomination of “ Boss ” Shepherd
was announced to the President ‘■ he
was in a towering rage, and his expres
sions in regard to the Senate are said to
have been anything but complimentary.”
Donn Piatt, of the Washington Capi
tal, in entering upon the third year ofits
publication, says: “In was said when our
senior editor visited Europe last Summer
for the sole purpose of giving rest to his
gigantic intellect, that he had sold out
his interest in this journal for tbe pitiful
sum of twenty-five thousand dollars. He
would as soon qnit-claim his title to
mansions in the skies for a few North
Pacific or SeDelecaSaudstone bonds. And
now we see running like the epizootic
the storv that the same gentleman has
sunk sixteen thousand dollars in the Capi
tal. ‘How this world is given to lying!'
To the wide circle of our readers—which
includes not only our own land, bat six
subscribers in Canada,two in New Jersey,
and thousands over the ocean, which in
; eludes Spain, Portugal and Turkey—we
tender assurances of good health and
| renewed strength for the new year.”
THE EIGHTH DISTRICT.
Mr. Stephens Declines to be a Candi
date for Congress— Correspondence
ou the Subject.
Greenesboro, Ga., July 1, 1874.
Hon. A. H. Stephens, Crawfordvillc,
Go,:
Dear Sre—The undersigned, members
of the Executive Committee of the
Democratic party of Greene county,
have heard, with deep regret, that ow
ing to the precarious condition of your
health you contemplate not becoming a
candidate for Congress at the ensuing
election. We deem it a great misfortune
to the whole country, and especially to the
South, that your constituents should be
deprived of the services in t]#e future of
one possessing your long-tried patriot
ism, great experience, national reputa
tion and extensive influence. But if
your determination is fixed, we deem it
due to yourself, as well as those you
represent, that you make it known.
Will you be kind enough to favor us
with an early reply, with the privilege
of publishing the correspondence.
With our ardeut wish for your speedy
restoration to health long life, and fu
ture happiness, we have the honor to be,
very truly, yours,
J. D. Moore, A. A. Jernigan, T. S.
Miller, J. M. Griffin, Wm. H. Branch,
O. P. Daniel, J. R. Park, O. S. Thorn
ton, L. D. Carlton, M. W. Lewis, mem
bers Executive Committee Democratic
party, Greene county.
Liberty Hall, Crawfordyille, Ga., \
July 3, 1874. y
Messrs. J. D. Moore, A. A. Jernigan
and others :
Gentlemen —Your esteemed and high
ly appreciated letter of the Ist instant
was received this morning; and in reply
I have only briefly to say, that what I
stated to two distinguished citizens of
your county last week, upon the subject
of my becoming a candidate for Con
gress at the ensuing election, and from
whom you doubtless received your in
formation as to my purpose in this par
ticular, is the same that I have stated in
answer to several similar inquiries re
cently made of me from different quar
ters of the District.
My determination, therefore, not to
become a candidate for Congress again
may be considered as fixed, and I agree
with you that this determination on my
part should be made public. Moreover,
I know of no better way of accomplish
ing that object than by the publication
of this correspondence.
The precarious condition of my
health, and general decline of physi
cal energies preclude the propriety of
my again undertaking the discharge of
the duties pertaining to the high trust
of my office. When I left Washington
iu April last, I was induced, mainly by
the opinion of attending physicians, to
indulge the hope that I would be able
to resume my seat iu the House by the
first or middle of June. But 1 am now
in very little better condition than I
was then. In some respects, it is true, I
am decidedly better; but in others quite
as decidedly worse—especially in a re
newed attack of rheumatism. In conse
quence of this I have not been able to
go out of doors but twice in six weeks.
It is still, however, my wish to return to
Washington at the next session, as there
are several important matters still pend
ing in the House of Representatives in
which I feel a deep interest, and I will
do so if able; but I take this occasion to
say to you and to the people of the Dis
trict, that if in the progress of the Sum
mer, I shall see no better prospect of a
mitigation of the late severe attack of
the old disease, by which I am so
disabled in getting about, and at
tending to business of any sort,
(even in the matter of writing
without resorting to the hand of
another) than I now do, I shall resign
my present seat in ample time for the
unexpired term to be filled at the same
time that the election shall be held for
a member to represent the District in the
next Congress.
With profound thanks, gentlemen, for
the kind sentiments you have expressed
your individual welfare, as well for the
general welfare and best interest of the
people of the entire District, and of our
beloved State, as also for the peace,
harmony and prosperity of the people of
all the States of the Federal Union, I
remain, yours truly,
Alexander H. Stephens.
TOOMBS-STEPHENS.
Reply of Mr. Stephens to General
Toombs About the Damage Suit—Mr.
Stephens Denies that He Gave Gen
eral Toombs Authority to Bring
Suit in His Name.
. Liberty Hall. \
Crawfordville, Ga., July 6, 1874. j
To the Editors of the Herrld:
I see in your issue of yesterday—just
received—a letter from General Toombs
in relation to a suit therein mentioned
by him, and my connection witli it,
which I think should not be permitted
to pass unnoticed by me.
In this letter General Toombs says lie
brought to the last March term of Pul
ton Superior Court, a bill in equity
against the Western and Atlantic Kail
road Company and George Hazelhurst,
“in order to recover for the benefit of
the State of Georgia,” that portion of a
share in the lease of the Western and
Atlantic Railroad which had been
awarded to me on the original letting
and which I had subsequently assigned
to the State.
Now, without any disposition to enter
into any personal controversy with Gen.
Toombs, on this or any other subject, I
think it due to both of us, especially in
view of our past relations, to say, that I
did not so understand his bill. As it
was reported in tlie Constitution news
paper, and as its features reached me
in Washington, it was a bill filed in my
name, for my own benefit and to recover
back for my own use the interest I
originally had in the lease, and which I
had transferred to the State; and also
for the recovery of a million dollars
damage, etc.
How this matter really is I do not
know. I have not seen the bill or a
copy of it up to this time. But it was
in view of my understanding of the
newspaper report of its character and
objects that I stated in substance to
your correspondent, “Specks,” in Wash
ington, when this newspaper account of
it reached me there, that J knew noth
ing about the suit, and had never given
my authority or consent to the filing of
any bill for any such purpose.
I now repeat, if I ever intimated to
General Toombs, by word, verbal or
written, my willingness for a bill to be
brought in my name, as the newspapers
represented his to be (and in reference
to which I replied to “Specks,” inquir
ing as I did), and I am not aware of it;
or if he ever communicated to me, either
by word or writing, au intention on his
part so to bring a suit in my name, and
for the objects stated in the newspaper
reports, I am equally unaware of it.
Alexander H. Stephens.
CROPS IN WILKES.
The following we are permitted to ex
tract from a private letter written by
an intelligent and observant planter, re
siding in Wilkes county ;
“Crop prospects, with a certain class
of farmers, are good, better than for
some years, though later by two weeks.
There are a number of erops, and much
the largest number, which are poor from
want of proper preparation and plant
ing, which caused- bad stands; and,
further, the class of poor farmers sat
down during the dry spell of weather
and waited for rain to soften the ground,
and the result is many of them are in
the grass.
There is much less cotton planted, by
most planters; but little guano used by
any. The crop of cotton in this and ad
joining counties will be much less than
last year. Com is good where worked
well.* Wheat not very good. Oats,
Fall sowing splendid; Spring sowing
nearly ruined by rust. So far, this year
has been as good as the average of
years for crops. Now is the critical
time for both com and cotton. Both
may be badly damaged, or may result
splendidly. All depends on the seasons.
We need rain some now, and judging
from past shoaers, the rains from this
out will be spotted this year. Ido not
look for much cloudy, damp weather—
thejseather we would like now.”
Robbed His Employers.
New York, July B. —Thos. J. Mason,
cashier for the brokers and banking firm
of Merill, Filney & Cos., was arrested
to-day on a charge okhaving robbed his
employers of a large snm of money, pro
bably reachu. ▼ $25,000. He acknow
ledges having taken SB,OOO, which be
lost in gold speculations.
OCR ATLANTA LETTER.
The Case of Cook, Harris and Com
pany.
[special correspondence op the chronicle
AND SENTINEL.]
Atlanta, July 3, 1874.
Rev. Pliatty Harris & Cos.
It is with undisguised pleasure that I
call the attention of your readers to the
following card, published iu the Herald .
of this city, signed by those pious ami
saintly brethren of the Reformed Bul
lock Church which was established in
this city several years ago. I refer
(most respectfully) to Rev. Phatty Har
ris and Deacon W. D. Cook, to whose
zeal and fidelity must be attributed in a
degree tlie wonderful success of Bul
lock’s humane measures of reform in the
State several years ago:
The Rolling Mill Case.
To the Editors of the Herald :
Under the above caption you publish
a correspondence of an Atlanta contribu
tor to the Augusta Chronicle and Sen
tinel, in your issue of July Ist, which
correspondence is grossly untrue, and
does great injustice to the undersigned.
The correspondent says : “It appears
from the testimony, that Harris, Super
visor of the Western and Atlantic Rail
road, during Foster Blodgett’s adminis
tration, entered into conspiracy with
some of the officials of the Scofield Roll
ing Mill Company, to defraud the State,
by obtaining money under false pre
tenses. This is false. No such thing
appeared by the testimony before the
Court, or any investigating committee,
or anywhere else. Neither was there
any proof of fraud made or offered
against the undersigned. Other state
ments in the correspondence are equally
inaccurate, and shows this author to be
an unreliable, reckless slanderer.
A. L. Harris,
W. D. Cook.
I regret exceedingly that I have
wounded the tender sensibilities of these
saintly brothers of the Bullock congre
gation. I assure them that it was not
my intention to reflect on their immacu
late characters. The statements in my
letter, I admit, must have been shocking
to a man of so delicate a constitution
(500 pounds avoirdupois) as Rev. Pliatty
Harris, and must have been very exas
perating to a man of so keen a sense of
honor as Deacon W. D. Cook (brother-
in-law of H. I. Kimball). Both these
brethren have been in the fairest stand
ing in the Bullock church for many
years. True they have been accused of
fraud, corruption and theft by the honest
public; people have upon oath before
courts and before committees declared
them guilty of forgery and stealing; but
notwithstanding all this tirade of
abuse from the outside world, their
brethren of the Bullock-Blodgett
congregation have always recog
nized them as their brothers,* and have
cordially received them into full fellow
ship in their great reform church, whose
motto was “Plunder the people, with
out discovery if you can; but plunder
the people.” This motto may strike the
reader as rather novel, but he must rest
assured it is right. This church believes
in the infallibility of its head. The
Romish Church was established by God,
and is therefore infallible; but this
modern Bullock Reform Church has
greater claims to infallibility. It was
established by niggers, carpet-baggers
and adventurers. It is therefore infalli
ble, and its great tenets, faith -and doc
trines true; and its members, such as
Blodgett, Kimball, Bullock, Harris and
Cook, are all saints, expecting the crown
of glory that awaits the truly faithful.
I will not enter into a controvery with
these worthy brethren of the Bullock
school. Ido not wish to undignify my
self by such a cause. All the statements
I have made in reference to the recent
trial are fully confirmed by all those who
heard the testimony. My information
was obtained from a member of the jury
itself that found a verdict in the case.
There was not a great deal of testimony
heard except such as was already on
record as having been delivered before
the old State ltoad Investigating Com
mittee, upon which
rested their ve vj 1 i.e „ " v > i- learn
from the jury, it was so conflicting they
rejected it as unworthy of belief. Be
low I give somo of the testimony on
which the jury found its verdict, and I
leave it to the public whether or not
Rev. Phatty Harris and Deacon Cook
have been slandered. During the year
1872 a joint committee of both Houses
of the Legislature, which had been ap-.
pointed to “ investigate the administra
tion and management of the Western
and Atlantic Railroad,” consisting of
Milton A. Candler and W. L. Goldsinith,
of DeKalb ; W. L. Clark, of Thomas ;
R. W. Phillips, of Echols, and Claiborne
Sneed, of Richmond, held along session
in this city, taking a great mass of testi
mony, which was published in a volume
of 261 pages, and is now an exposure of
the greatest systematized fraud that ever
was perpetrated Georgia, and not ex
celled in its enormity, its deep-laid and
recklessly executed schemes of public
robbery by anything that ever disgraced
the pages of American history. That
volume is now before me. On
page 80 the Rolling Mill Frauds, as
they were termed, are set forth in detail.
They are too lengthy for publication in
your columns. I present a few points
in the testimony, and ask those who
wish to know all about it to procure the
book and read it fully. It is proper to
observe that the said Deacon W. D.
Cook (brother-in-law of H. I. Kimball)
was, during the year 1870. Secretary and
Treasurer of the Rolling Mill Company.
The testimony forces conviction upon
the mind that Cook and Harris entered
into a conspiracy at that time to swindle
the State extensively. (They are in part
nership now, keeping a livery stable in
this city.) Mr. J. R. Merchant was
book-keeper for the Rolling Mill Com
pany. He is recognized as a very supe
rior book-keeper, and a man of integrity.
He testified before the committee that
an account against the State Road,
dated February 17th, 1670, contained
one item of 224,124 pounds of. rails,
amounting tq 88,504 70 ; that this item
was changed (after being correctly made
out by him) to 358,427 pounds of rails,
amounting to $13,601 02. Another item
(in this account) for a lot of spikes was
made out by him at five and a half
cents per pound, but afterwards changed
to six cents per pound, making this
item S9OO, instead of $825. He testifies
that it was receipted by W. D. Cook,
and the account as paid, in his opinion,
was in the hand-writing of Cook. An
other account, dated 28th February,
1870, for 225,112 pounds of rails and
8,400 pounds fish bars, in the hand
writing of Cook, and receipted for by
him, making the amount collected
$4,551 more than the correct amount as
charged and made out by him (Mer
chant). These are only two items out
of a number particularly set forth in
Mr. Merchant’s testimony. I will name
one more case.
The State Road and some of its em
ployees at that time purchased a consider
able amount of goods from Lawson B.
Langford, the great store and house fur
nishing merchant of this city. Andrew
P. Stewart, his book-keeper, testified be
fore the committee as follows : I have
examined un account for SBO, dated
November 1, 1870, ifi favor of L. B.
Langford. The printed bill-head is like
the one used in his house, but the items,
and the handwriting in the account is
not mine or Langford’s, or any one’s
connected with the house, nor do I know
whose handwriting it is. There is no
such account on his books, nor was the
money collected for his house. This
account is approved by A. L. Harris,
Master of Transportation and Super
vigor, and certified to as correct by Wra.
Pettis, Assistant Supervisor, and re
ceipted on the passed-bill by Wm. Pet
tis.’’
The foregoing are only a few cases out
of many. I could cite from this volume
hundreds of others whioh contribute to
make up this record of corruption; yet
Rev. Phatty Harris (bless his dear,
honest heart) declares with indignation
(characteristic of his saintly church
brothers, Kimball, Bullock and Blod
gett), that no such testimony ever ap
peared before a Court or investigating
committee. Doubtless he and Brother
Cook forgot these circumstances, They
could not have intentionally made a
misstatement. It would be so inconsis
tent with the doctrines and practices of
their religion—that of the Great Bul
lock-Blodgett-Kimball Reform Church,
of which they are members in such
high standing and good repute. True,
this church is not so prosperous now as
in the past; but “truth crushed to earth
will rise again,” and with such exemplary
members and leaders as Rev. Phatty
Harris and Deacon Cook, in co-opera
tion with a few unscrupulous carpet
baggers, negroes and Radioal bayonets,
it may again rise (God forbid) a monu
ment of glory, honesty, patriotism and
integrity, sending its inspired emissa
ries throughout the.length and breadth
of the land to pick the pockets of the
people. Blessed church, noble .cause,
indulgeut public, honest peacher, lovely
deacon!
Rev. Phatty Harris and Deacon Cook
(brother-in-law of that saint, H. I, Kim
ball) complain that I have done them
injustice. I reproduce this testimony in
order to restore them justice. If they
desire any more justice I will take plea
sure iu giving it. to them. This volume
of testimony contains a great deal of
justice just like the foregoing, and if
they desire I will dispense justice until
they are fully vindicated, if such justice
can vindicate them. If they want any
more “ justice,” upon the publication of
another card I will take pleasure iu re
producing extracts from this great re
pository of State Road justice.
I will just here state that I entertain
no unkind feelings against Rev. Pliatty
Harris and Deacon Cook. True, Ido
not belong to the Bullock church; yet I
am superior to all petty jealousy. Ido
not envy them their exalted station iu
that church. I will try to struggle along
through life in my humble way without
this great honor.
But to be more serious, I will state
that I never do any one unintentional
wroug; and if by inadvertency I should
injure any one no one would be more
ready to repair that injury than myself.
What I have stated I stated as facts of
history without malice, fo.v I have none
against any man; aud if I have been a
little caustic in this letter it is because
I was provoked to it by- the gratuitous
compliments contained in tho elegant
card of the pious brethren of the Bul
lock Reform Church. *
The Democratic Executive Committee
Had a brief session ou the first instant,
and passed some judicious measures.
Lhe meeting was "entirely harmonious
and portends a harmonious, determined,
contest against Radicalism in the coming
election.
The Allesjpd Blackmailer.
Jas. F. Porter, an account of whose
brilliant exploits 1 gave your readers in
my last, lias been arrested. After es
caping he discovered to his great dis
comfort that his purse was empty. He
took refuge in the house of a mulatto
demimonde and sent a note to a mis
tress of liis for assistance. The messen
ger entrusted with his note by mistake
carried the note to the house of a lady
of the same name aud of great respecta
bility. t She forthwith summoned the
police, who prevailed upon the messen
ger to betray Porter. They accordingly,
after being conducted to his place of
refuge, surrounded the house. He at
first showed fight, swearing ho would
kill the first man that laid hands on him;
but by gentle persuasion in the shape of
seven or eight policemen, he was finally
prevailed upon to surrender peacefully.
He basis fair prospects of being adopted
into the penitentiary. Halifax.
TIIE COTTON ACREAGE OF 1874.
A SHOUT CROP.
“The Cat in the Meal Tub.”
To the Editors of the Chronicle and
Sentinel :
Whilst others speculate on the grow
ing crop, I hope you will indulge me
also through your columns to do the
same. I will say, then, that the grow
ing crop of American cotton will not
exceed 2,600,000 bales. I will tell you
how I arrive at it : There have been re
ceived at all the ports up to the last
day in May, 1874, 3,628,000 bales—
say 3,628,000
If we receive up to tho last
day of August as many bales
as received last year (which
is not likely) we shall have
according to the “New York
Cotton Circular,” 272,000
5ay....! ’. 272,000
3,900,000
Three million nine hundred thousand
bales will be the maximum of the crop
of 1873-74,
According to the_samo
there is over eight per cent. (8) less
acreage this, than lust year. Stick a
pin there.
According to the Memphis Cotton
Exchange Report to tho “New York
Weekly jCotton Circular” one-half “the
crop was up —of this one half the stand
is bad, one-quarter fair, and one-quar
ter good. They report excessive dry
weather preventing seed from germinat
ing, making it difficult to cultivate the
uplands without injuring'the'stand. I
assume on account of bad stands (the
worst I have known, 1866 only excepted)
and excessive dry weather, twelve per
cent. more. If the authority I have
quoted be correct no one will doubt my
figures. This gives me over tweuty (20)
per cent, deficit. The same parties
(Memphis Cotton Exchange) report the
planting sixteen days later than the
average for the last two years. That of
itself is startling.
Sixteen days often make a wonderful
difference in November. Add to this
the destruction by floods, the almost en
tire disuse of fertilizers, and the very
poor condition of the crops of the ten
ants everywhere, as all well informed
and fair minded persons will readily
testify, and I will assume for these causes
thirteen (13) per cent., which, by the
best calculations, our enemies being
judges, will make a deficit in this crop,
as compared with the last, of one-third,
or 1,300,000 bales, leaving the crop of
1874-75 at 2,600,000 bales, and this, too,
provided we have no hail storms, army
worm, caterpillar, etc., etc. I know,
that in this county, we have all of one
fourth less in cotton this year than last,
aud I presume like us are most of the cot
ton region. lam aware that men are apt to
have their judgments warped by interest,
and iu very many instances pervert the
truth. Planters often do this, and spec
ulators and manufacturers are no ex
ceptions to the charge; but this is all
wrong, and men who thus write or speak
commit a great sin, both against society
and God himself.
I have penned these thoughts and
made this crop calculation from the
lights before me, and the knowledge I
have of the crops, and believe honestly
they will prove near to correct. Like
the correspondent of the Constitutional
ist, who speaks of himself as “we,”
(Cotton Nos. 1, 2 and 3,) I have no cotton
for sale (wish I had). I too have han
dled cotton for over thirty years. I too
have made it, and am compelled to make
it still, but unlike some, / do not write
for money, and would not mislead any
single individual on earth if I knew it.
Os course I do not know who
this writer is, though I have heard,
but from the flattering introduction of
the gentleman, I really anticipated a
treat—something that would benefit
every one—but I had not waided through
No. 2 beforejthe fable of Hisop of the cat
and rats come to my mind and I thought
I saw at the bottom of the meal tub
something rolled up there like a cat.
I was greatly edified, however, at that
beautiful and expressive figure of “Cot
ton No. 2,” about the ocean and the
tides, and the waters, and knocking the
bottom out of the cotton market.
I was almost ready to exclaim as did
Mr. Leo Hunter at the poetical effusion
of Mrs. Leo Hunter upon the expiring
frog, “fine” said Mr. Leo Hunter, “so
simple.” Had it not been for this flight
of poetical fancy of Cotton No. 2, I
should have been tempted to have
quoted another of 43sop’s fables, that
of the mountain that had been in labor
for many days, and from the groans of
travail and in great expectations as to
what would be the progeny—behold out
crept a mouse. 8. Wyatt.
AimiNGTON', Burre County.
An Optical Illusion. -Sanford Brown,
a resident of the town of Huntington,
was the latest aspirant for the four
thousand dollars reward offered for the
unfortunate Charles G. Kelsey. Sanford
is a man of herclean proportions,
standing about six feet two in his stock
ings, and has evinoed considerable in
terest in the Kelsey case. While visiting
New York one day last week, and passing
through Catharine street, he beheld a
person that immediately caused four
thousand dollar visions. He rushed up
to the individual, laid a “weighty hand”
on his shoulder, and articulated in no
dove-like tones: “You are Charles G.
Kelsey, and my prisoner.” The in
dividual thus rudely aocosted let out
| from the shoulder, and Bandford went
; to grass. Sandford “oame to time,” and
renewed the attack, but again measured
six feet two, on his back. The valiant
Sanford is now laid up for repairs, with
two black eyes as mementoes of his en
counter. Asa sequal, one of the Catha
rine Market “b’hoys” says the next time
he is taken for Kelsey he will have a
' tar bucket in readiness.
A Hoboken editor, being challenged,
sent word in reply: “When I want to
die I can saoot myself.”
••UPRISING OF THE PEOPLE.”
A THIRD TERM.
[From Harper’s Weekly for July 11.]
The argument against a third term is
really an argument against the re-eligi
bility of the President. Aud Mr. Free
man, the historian of Federal Govern
ment, and one of the most accomplished
authorities upon the subject, says, in
his paper upon Presidential government:
“It is undoubtedly true that the possi
bility of re-election does lava President
under temptation to act ‘in all things
with a view to re-election; that it de
grades him, in short, from a ruler into a
canvasser. With a weak or mediocre
President these temptations are greatly
increased. They are, agaii* so aggra
vated in America by the present mode
of election that, while that mode of elec
tion prevails, we may safely say that the
arguments against re-eligibility over
balance the arguments for it.”
Yet, while a fixed constitutional re
striction might be unwise, an unwritten
lawjmay be of tho utmost service. In
an emergency like that of 1864 it would
have been a very grave misfortune if Mr.
Lincoln could not have been re-elected.
But such emergencies are few. In 1872,
although the argument against renomi
nation was very strongly urged, and al
though the interest and the power of
patronage were undeniable, and while
many voted for the President under
protest, there was an equally undeniable
aud palpable preference 'of General
Grant by the vast majority of his party.
It may be a question whether it be bet
ter to trust to the unwritten law which
limits the service of a President to eight
years, or to give him that term constitu
tionally and make him ineligible for re
election, but there can be no doubt that
a third term should never be thought of
except under extraordinary circum
stances.
It is said, indeed, that there is really
no question involved; that tho people
are sovereign, and that if they wish to
elect a President continuously for his
life, they may properly do so.' Once in
four years, it is snid, wo renew the Ad
ministration, and if tho servants of the
State have served it wisely and well,
why should they not be called to then
places again? In the Swiss cantons of
Uri and Unterwalden, where, on a bright
May morning all the voting population
assembles in some green field and de
cides whether the Amtmann shall bo
continued, the process is simple and
practicable and wise. But. the United
States are not a canton of Uri or Un
terwalden. We proceed by delegates
and conventions and nominations; and
when the question of a third term is
proposed, it must be considered in the
light of familiar facts. Checks and
balances in free political systems are
adopted because men know their own
weakness, and because it is necessary to
make the indulgence of personal ambi
tion difficult. The reason that limited
the Presidential term to four years really
w'ns the perception that it was desirable
that at stated times the Chief Executive
should be renewed or re elected by the
free popular will But the moment it is
seen that conditions have nrisen which
restrain the freedom of that will, noth
ing is more perilous or more absurd
than to assume that it continues free.
The President, belonging to a domi
nant party, and at the head of an im
mense and organized army of office
holders, when he sets his heart upon a
renomination, goes into the convention
to play against the country with loaded
dice. If tho convention actually repre
sented the popular will, there would be
no doubt that its action could be safely
sustained, unless we abandon the whole
theory of the government. But we all
know that it does not represent that
will. It represents the purpose of a
certain intoiosted class in the party, more
interested than tho mass of the party
can be; for the office holder knows
that his actual livelihood is at stake,
while the mass of the voters consider
but tho vague general interest of the
country and the more palpable interest
flf tlie party, ami he w’lio can secure tho
party nomination wins tho day. The
work begins in tlie primary meeting,
and as between the drilled agents of
those who have this vital personal in
terest and those who have only patriotic
motives, what chance in the primary
have tht*latter ? It may be true that in
a popular government there is constant
danger that tho interest of some or
ganized class will become paramount,
but that is only a conclusive reason for
guarding in every way against the con
sequences of such a teudency.
If, indeed, there bo some great over
shadowing issue before the country, tlie
organization of the interested class may
not jirevail, but even then there will be
a hard struggle, while in ordinary times
that class will inevitably succeed. The
country is practically divided into two
parties, and, with the existing methods,
to call the nomination of a party con
vention, secured as it usually is by
familiar means, the unbiased action of
the people is to misuse words. A Presi
dent in office, tho head of ah organized
and dominant party, does not submit
himself to the impartial judgment of his
fellow-citizens in the convention. On
the contrary, ho has every opportunity
of making that convention represent his
own wishes. To quote the examples of
Johnson and Fillmore aud Tyler as illus
trations of his practical powerlessness is
vain, because all three of them had des
troyed the parties by which they were
elected, and had no party organization
upon which to depend. The unwritten
law that a President shall serve for two
terms only, and the growing doubt
whether one long term be not better, are
founded upon the conviction of the
country that with the enormous power
vested in the Chief Executive he can, in
a great degree, command his own re
nomination, and that it is by such quiet
aud unobtrustive beginnings that popu
lar systems are subverted.
The practical question is one of good
sensq and wholly impersonal. It does
not follow that, because under the cir
cumstances of 1872 it was wise to re
nominate the President, it would be
equally wise to do so in 1870. The
question is not whether Gen. Grant can
be trusted for a third term, but whether
it is, upon the whole, wise to establish
the precedent. Is there anything in’the
President—highly as we honor him for
liis services, and patriotic as wo believe
him to be—or in his administration,
which makes it desirable or in any sense
necessary to continue him for a third
term that is not equally applicable to a
fourth and fifth term ? Can any advant
age be proposed from such a precedent
which is not entirely overbalanced by
the obvious disadvantages ? There can
be no greater mistake than the sugges
tion that he is the only Republican can
didate who could be elected, for the dis
tinct understanding that he meant to
stand for a third term would most
properly render the party asunder, and
make its success utterly hopeless. In
the total want of a great party issue,
which might be relied upon lo rally the
voters, and with a party feud upon some
of the most vital questions of public
policy, no more victorious cry against
the party in power could be raised than
that it sought insidiously to change the
character of the Government. The
weakness of the Republican party to-day
is not the auperiority of any policy pro
posed by the Democrats—for a Demo
cratic policy, in any just senso in whioh
words are used, is an unmeaniug phrase
—but it is discontent within the party,
arising from impatience with many of
the men and practices which the party
tolerates. Thousands of persons voted
for General Grant in 1872 under protest.
How many of them would vote for him
in 1876 as a third-term candidate, and
with General Butler’s civil service tri
umphant ?
We have no fear that General Grant
proposes to make himself an Emperor or
a Pope; but it should be well understood
before any plans are laid that there
would be a general and decisive “up
rising of the people” against any serious
suggestion of a third term.
The Milwaukee Sentinel thus epito
mizes the daily life of an editor-in-chief.
From the plaintive tone of the last sen
tence the writer intimates that he knows
how it is himself: “The young man who (
is fitting himself for a journalistic career
asks us if the chief editor’s position is
difficult. On the contrary it is the most
comfortable place on the paper. He has
only to dash offa few columns of editorial
a day and then enjoy himself. All the
good looking women with poems are
shown into his rooms, and he smokos all
the cigars sent in for the reporters. He re
ceives invitations to deliver addresses at
country fairs, and carries home the best
of books sent in for review. When he
hasn’t anything else to do ho looks over
oopy and carefully runs his pencil
through the joke the writer struggled
four hours with and considered his
masterpieoe.”
NUMBER 28.
TlllS PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
TIIK FARMERS IN COUNCIL.
Meeting of tlie Patrons of Husbandry
—The Business Yesterday.
Iu accordunoe with a call from a South
Carolina Orange fora Convention of the
Patrons of Husbandry, to be held in
this city on the Bth of .July, the l’atrons
of Husbandry met in Convention at the
City Hall in this city yesterday. The
meeting embraced representatives from
the Granges in the comities of South
Carolina and Georgia that trade with
Augusta, some seventy odd delegates
being in attendance. We understand
that the object of the meeting was to
form a co-operative firm or firms in this
city, or to select one or two of the firms
already established that will agree to do
their business on the most reasonable
and satisfactory terms. We hear that a
committee was appointed to look into
this matter, and to report the result of
their investigations and conferences at
the next meeting, which will take place
in August in this city.
We understand further that all of the
Granges in this section will be organized
into the Savannah River Valley Associa
tion, and that a permanent organization
is now in process of formation.
The meeting yesterday was very har
monious. Several addresses were made,
the necessity for co-operation being
prominently dwelt upon.
The following report of the proceed
ings of the Convention lias been placed
at our disposal :
Convention of the Patrons of Hus
bandry.
Pursuant to notice given, forty dele
gates, representing the Patrons of Hus
bandry in the-vicinity of Augusta, as
sembled in the Superior Court room at
the City Hall.
On motion of Colonel Joseph R. Jones,
of Burke county, Paul F. Hammond,
Esq., was appointed temporary Chair
man, for the purpose of organizing the
Convention.
On motion of W. C. Musgrove, Esq.,
General Goode Bryan, of Richmond
county, was appointed Secretary.
On motion of W. C. Musgrove, Esq.,
a committee of five was appointed to
examine credentials.
The committee repbrted that all dele
gates report to the Secretary and all
Patrons present or who may come in be
entitled to seats and to engage in the
discussion, but not to vote.
On motion of Judge Gibson, the re
port was amended so as bo allow all the
Patrons present to vote.
The following counties and Grangers
in Georgia and South Carolina were
represented :
Richmond, Columbia, Burke, Ogle
thorpe, Hancock, and McDuflle in Geor
gia; Edgefield, Bench Island, Aiken,
Williston, Shelverton, Pleasant X; Lit
tle Saluda, and Ellerton, in South Caro
lina.
On motion of Mr. Jonathan Miller,
the Convention then proceeded to a per
manent organization.
Jos. B. Jones, Esq., of Burke county,
was elected President by acclamation.
On motion of Judge Gibson, the fol
lowing committee was appointed to es
cort him to the Chair: Messrs. Gibson,
and M. C. Fulton.
On taking the Chair Judge .Tones
made a few eloquent and appropriate
remarks pertinent to the occasion.
Paul F. Hammond, Esq., of South
Carolina, was elected Vice-President,
Gen. Goode Bryan, of Richmond, and
E. A. Carter, Fsq., of Burke county,
were elected Secretaries.
The Convention was then declared
ready for business. _
Col. P. F. Hammond introduced the
following resolutions:
licKolved, That wo form an Associa
tion under the name and title of “the
Havanunh River Association of the Pa
trons of Husbandry.” The officers of
the Association shall consist of a Prosi
ecutive Committee of three, and an Ad
visory Council of two from each county
represented in this Association, to hold
their offices for one year, or until their
successors have been elected and in
stalled.
The semi-annual meeting of this As
sociation to be composed of the above
named officers, and three delegates from
each Grange to bo held in the city of
Augusta on the 4th Wednesdays of Au
gust and January. Adopted.
Mr. Hammond also offered the follow
ing :
Resolved, That a committee of three
bo adopted to draft a constitution for
this Association. Adopted.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Butler,
Johnson and Hammond that committee.
On motion of Col. M. C. Fulton, the
delegates from South Carolina were re
quested to nominate a Second Vice-
President.
Mr. J. M. Miller was nominated, and
unanimously elected.
Mr. Hammond moved that, when the
Convention adjourned it adjourn to the
4tli Wednesday in August, under its
present organization,and that the Becre
tary publish an invitation to all Grangers
trading in Augusta to attend. Carried.
On motion of Judge Gibson a com
mittee was appointed to make inquiries
as to what the present crop of cotton
can be stored and sold for and report at
the next meeting.
The Convention then took a recess
from 2 to 4 o’clock, p. m.
Afternoon Session.
Four o’clock, p. m.—The Convention
met, Judge Jones in the chair.
The following resolution was offered
by Judge Gibson :
Resolved, That the Secretary furnish
to each member a certificate showing
him to be a delegate, and that the Presi
dent with such person as he shall ap
point, shall call on the superintendents
or agents of the Afferent railroads and
request them to furnish the delegates
return tickets to their homes. Adopted.
Resolutions of thanks to Hon. Chas.
Estes and M. J. Dewean, Esq., Keeper
of the City Hall for tho use of the City
Hall and courtesies extended to the
Convention, were adopted.
There were about forty delegates pres
sent.
The preceedings of the Convention
wero harmonious and satisfactory to the
delegates.
The Convention adjourned to the 4th
Wednesday in August.
FROM PHILADELPHIA.
The Abduction of Charley Itoss.
Philadelphia, July B. —No clue has
been obtained yet as to tho whereabouts
of Charley Brewster Ross, who was ab
ducted from Germantown on the Ist
instant. He is the son of Christian K.
Ross, a merchant of this city, and his
family are in a dreadful state of distress.
Tho abductors are evidently holding
possession of the child to obtain a large
reward. Three hundred dollars have
been offered. The father has received
an anonymous communication offering
to return the child for SIO,OOO. The
father has given notice in a personal in
the Ledger that he is ready to negotiate
to the extent of his ability.
Charming is that faculty of the human
mind which enables one to drop into
poetry like Mr. Wegg upon any occasion,
no matter how prosaic, which throws a
soft light of romance around bread and
cheese, and irradiates tho commonplace
soul with beauty. Buch is the faculty
possessed by a noble poet of Chicago,
who was recently informed that Mmlnrno
Nilsson had thoughtfully built a shelter
for her cows on her land at Peoria.
Mindful of the catastrophe which led to
the destruction of his native city, lie
immediately burst into this wild and
beautiful frenzy of verse: “Christine,
Christine, thy milking do the morn and
eve between, and not by the dim, relig
ious light of the fitful kerosine. For
the cow may plunge, and the lamp ex
plode, and the fire fiend ride the gale,
and shriek the knell of the burning
town in the glow of the molten pail!”
Bill Whaley, who recently died in
1 Fayette county, Pa., poorhouse, former
ly drove a stage coach between Union
town and Morgantown, in that State. 110
wouldn’t own a horse that hud more than
enough skin to cover his bones, and
through which the moral law could not
be read. His animals were queer
geometrical puzzles--combinations of
angles, right, obtuse, and acute. One day
lie came driving into Uuiontowu at full
speed, and just as he drew up in front of
the hotel, one of his horses dropped dead.
“That was a very sudden death,” re
marked a bystander. "Sudden ?” replied
Capt. Bill. “That horse died in Bmithland,
nine "miles from here; but 1 never let him
down until I got in town."