Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1879 — Page 1

£tnfinel A DEMOCRATIC NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY, BY FAMES W. McEWEN. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. T)ne copy one J«ar sl.tW Ono copy six months 1.00 One copy throe months M tyAdvertising rates on application

HEWS OF THE WEEK.

FOREIGN NEWS. It is announced from Berlin that Bismarck han decided to withdraw his Parliamentary Discipline bill. Gen. Grant left Paris Jun. 21, on his tour of the East. The German army estimates show an ncrease of 80,000 men. American coal is selling in Switzerland slightly cheaper than French and German coal, and is much superior. Violent snow-storms are reported in England. In Russia, also, there have been noiiHuaiiy Heavy snowr&Hs, uiuunuuiug me railways. Capt. Gen. Campos is to be recalled from Cuba, and made Spanish Minister of War. There is much suffering in England »ind Continental Europe on account of the extretue severity of the winter. The Grand Duchess Anastasia, daughter of the Grand Duke Michael of Russia, was married the other day at St. Petersburg to Prince Frederick of Mecktenberg-Sehwerin. The dreaded plague, or “ black death,” which has been for some time raging in Astrakhan, is slowly creeping westward, and there is much alarm in Russia in consequence. It is feared that the scourge will spread over Western Europe the corning summer, in which event it would probably invade this country. DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. ICiist The woolen mill of John Brown & Sons, in Philadelphia, has been burned. Loss, $250,000. New York papers positively assert that the remains of the late A. T. Stewart have I>eetr delivered up to the family of the deceased, in consideration of the payment of $50,000. A fire in Elizabeth, N. J., destroyed < lie Opera House, Postoffice, Masonic Hall, First National Bank, and four stores. Lobs, $250,000. Died, at Boston, Mass., Hon. George H. Hilliard, an eminent author, and at one time a prominent political leader in the Bay State, aged 70. At Hyde Park, near Scranton, Pa., Mrs. Davis and a year-old child burned to death by the explosion of a kerosene lamp. An alleged wife and two children have been discovered to contest the will of the late R. W. Mackey, ox-State Treasurer of Pennsylvania. A whole batch of ex-officials of a New Jersey county have been convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary for plundering the county treasury. West. All tl:o officers of the recently-col-lapsed National Bank of Missouri, at St. Louis, have been indicted, and will be tried for embezzlement.

Reliable advices from the Northwest are to the effect that Sitting Bull'd band of 5,000 lodges had crossed the line and were camped on American soil, with their faces turned southward. Sitt'ng Bull, however, does not accompany them. lie sends word to the Great Father that the expedition is eminently pacific. No hostility is intended. Sitting Bull represents that his people were starving and freezing in British America; that there wore no buffalo, and that it was reduced to a question of life and death—hence he advised his followers to return to the United States and take their chances. (South. A. Seligman, the well-known New York banker, was recently robbed of $5,400 in money and diamonds, on a train between New Orleans and Louisville. Information has been received in Washington of the arrest by a warrant of the State or municipal authorities of Alabama of United States District Attorney Mayer and United States Marshal Turner, the latter being now in jail, and the former havimz 1»»" Imu.i - "in ci naoeas corpus issued by United States District Judge Bruce. These officers were commanded by a State court to deliver before it certain ballot-boxes and ballots need at the November election, they being at the time in question used by the Grand Jury of the United States Court, sitting at Montgomery, as evidence in certain cases therein ponding on Indictments for violation of the Election laws of the United States. Mayer and Turner refused to obey the mandate hence their arrest Three of the Brevard county (Florida) Canvassing Board have been convicted in the United Stales Court at Jacksonville, Fla., of making false returns, and sentenced, one to hree years, and the other two to one year each n the penitentiary. Wright and Johns, the two convicted members of the Brevard County Canvassing Board, have escaped from the jail in Jacksonville, Fla. In Wayne county, Miss., a dispute about the possession of a piece of land resulted in an affray between three white men and an equal number of negroes, in which two blacks were killed and one white man killed and another wounded.

POLITICAL POINTS. Tuesday, Jan. 21, might appropriately be termed “ Senatorial day,” on account of the number of United States Senators chosen by State Legislatures. In Illinois, John A. Logan was elected to succeed Richard J. Oglesby. The vote stood : Logan, Republican, 106; J. C. Black, Democrat, 84; Alexander Campbell, National, 10; John McAuliffe, Socialist, 3.—ln New York, Roscoe Conkling, Republican, was elected as his own successor, he receiving 115 votes, to 35 for William Dorsheimer, the Democratic oaucus nominee, and 2 for Peter Cooper, National. The Indiana Legislature chose Daniel W. Voorhees, Democrat, to succeed himself, the vote standing: Voorhees, 83; Ben Harrison, the Republican caucus nominee, 60; James Buchanan, National, 3. Mr. Voorhees was also elected for the short term, expiring March 4, the Republicans voting for G. S. Orth. In Pennsylvania, J. Donald Cameron, Republican, was chosen as lus own successor, by a vote of 135, to 76 for Heister Clymer, the Democratic nominee, 16 for Daniel Agnew National, and 5 scattering. The Missouri Legislature elected George G. Vest, Democrat, as the successor of David 11. Armstrong, Democrat, for the long term, and James Shields, Democrat, for the short term intervening between now and March 4. In North Carolina, Zebulon B. Vance, Democrat, was successful in securing the seat now occupied by A. S. Merrimon, Democrat The Connecticut Legislature elected Orville H. Platt, Republican, as the successor of Mr. Barnum, Democrat. The Florida Legislature chose Wilkinson Call, Democrat, to succeed Mr. Conover, Republican. The Legislatures of Wisconsin, Louisiana and Arkansas balloted for Senator, but failed to reach a choice. The Wisconsin Legislature has ejected Matt H. Carpenter to the United (States

The Democratic sentinel.

JAS. W. McEWEN Editor.

VOLUME IL

Senate for six years from the 4th of March next, at which time Timothy O. Howe retires. Gen. Butler has turned the somewhat famous cipher dispatches over to the Potter Committee, and also explained his connection with them. He says they were placed on his private desk some time iast spring, by some person then, as now, unknown to him. He had nothing to do, however, with the publication, as copies of them had been furnished to the New York Tribune long before they fell into liis hands. It was decided by the Potter Committee, at a meeting on Jan. 23, to enter at once upon an investigation of the dispatches. The voters of the First Virginia district have chosen R. L. T. Beal. Democrat to fill the vacancy in Congress caused by the death of Mr. Douglass. J. D. Walker, Democrat, has been elected to the United States Senate from Arkansas. He will succeed Mr. Dorsey, Republican, whose term expires March 4. WASHINGTON NOTES. A statement prepared for Secretary Sherman shows that the total receipts of gold at the various sub-treasuries since resumption day, is largely in excess of the amount paid out in exchange for greenbacks. In future the interest coupons of Government bonds will be paid either in gold or greenbacks, at the option of the holders, at any sub-treasury. A contract has been completed between the Secretary of the Treasury and N. M. Rothschild A Sons, J. 8. Morgan & Co.. Seligman Bros., and Morton, Rose & Co., of London, and A. Belmont & Co., Drexel, Morgan & Co., J. & W. Seligman & Co., and Morton, Bliss A Co., New York, for the sale and delivery in Europe of not less than $5,000,000 per month of the 4 per cent, bonds upon the same terms and conditions as the popular loan is now being offered in the United States. The contract is to continue until the Ist of July, the proceeds to be applied to refunding the 6 per cent. Ixmds. The contract -was made to promote the exchange of 4 per cent, bonds for 6 per cent. 5-20 bonds held in Europe. Mr. Springer, of Illinois, has introduced in Congress “a bill to secure to the people of every State equal and just representation.” It provides that after the next census the Legislature of each State shall apportion the State under the census of 1880, so as to provide that when more than two members of Congress are elected in a State the Stata shall bo divided into districts of three members each as far as possible, and when there are two old Representatives—that is, over three, or six, or nine, eta, there shall be one district consisting of live members. In districts consisting of three members every elector shall vote for only two members of Congress, and in districts entitled to five members every elector shall vote for three members.

The Burnside Army Reorganization bill is regarded as killed. A Washington dispatch says: “Mr. Conkling has again triumphed in his committee, and, by the solid vote of the Republican members, secured au adverse report upon the nominations of Gen. Merritt and Mr. Burt. Gen. Graham, having been nominated to fill a vacancy, will be confirmed, a unanimous report in his favor having been agreed upon in the committee.’’ The President has signed the Arrears of Pension bill. A sub-committee of the House Judiciary Committee, consisting of Knott and Culberson, Democrats, and Lapham, Republican, has gone to Chicago to investigate the charges against Judge Blodgett. The joint Congressional committee appointed to consider the advisability of transferring the Indian Bureau from the Interior Department to tht War Department have agreed to disagree, four being in favor of, and four opposed to, the transfer. Mr. Finley, Chairman of the Committee on Printing "of the House, has prepared a report embodying the result of the committee’s work in investigating the Government Printing Oflice. The report states that the business nf the office nas been carried on in violation of law, and that a large amount of money and material are unaccounted for. St. Martins, the Louisiana witness, whoso affidavit, charging Representative Stenger, Maddox, Gibson and others with having bribed him to perform certain dirty work in the interest of Tilden, the Potter Committee some time ago refused to place upon its records, has undergone a three days’ examination before that committee. He proves as versatile a witness as Jim Anderson and Agnes Jenks, and is probably about as reliable. In his testimony he recanted that portion of his affidavit implicating Mr. Stenger, and also retracted that portion which charged that Gibson paid him S4OO. During the examination there was an interesting tilt' between th® witness and Ben Butler. The latter asked St. Martins if he had corrected the lie which appeared in the affidavit before he had seen it in the newspapers. St. Martins replied that he did not consider it a lie; that it was a mistake. Butler then said: “But wasn’t it a lie to the public?” St. Martins stubbafcply returned that ho would not answer any moreqftbstions put to him by Gen. Butler, who simply replied, “ Well, wo will see.” The witness repeated, “ Well, I’ll be if I answer any more. You can call me up for contempt, but that is all you can do.” He, however, reconsidered and the examination proceeded.

MISCELLANEOUS GLEANINGS. At Kingston, Ont., the bakery and dwelling of Thomas Johnson were destroyed by fire, and his two little daughters perished in the flames. On the same night, William O’Brien and two sons were burned to death in their camp at Milbury Brook, N. B.

THE BLAINE INVESTIGATION. AT CHARLESTON, S. C. The Teller Committee, consisting of Senators Teller, Kirkwood, Cameron, Randolph and McDonald, began their in-estiga-tion of the late general election in Sou'-h Carolina, at Charleston, on the 21st of January. All the witnesses examined were from Charleston county, and it was admitted by both Democrats and Republicans that all the election officers, excepting clerks, were appointed upon the recommendation of the Democratic committee ; that one of the three Commissioners of Election for the county was a Republican; that the managers of election at the different precincts were exclusively Democrats, and the United States Supervisors at the different polls were not allowed to have a clerk, there being no provision of law for such person. It was also testified that. the Democratic Supervisors had no clerks, and that the clerks of Republican Supervisors were excluded from the polling places by order of the Democratic committee. The Republican witnesses, of whom three or four were examined, testified that there were numerous tissue ballots found in the boxes at various precincts in Charleston county, Tn some instances these tissue ballots exceeding the number of actual voters. The Democratic witnesses admitted the printing of tissue ballots by the Democratic committee, and the object in issuing them

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, FRIDAY, JANUARY 31,1879.

was to enable the colored people to vote secretly for the Democratic candidates without risk of molestation. Five witnesses were examined by the Teller Committee, at Charleston, on Jan. 22 three of them colored Republicans, and two white Democrats. It is scarcely necessary to state that their statements did not agree. The colored witnesses maintained that bulldozing, intimidation, fraud and general deviltry characterized the late election in that city; the whites, on the other hand, maintaining that the election was fair and peaceable, and that every colored man was allowed to vote for whom he pleased. The Teller Committee examined four wt Ohftilwtvu, vm alxo QQrl January —three colored men and one white man, all Republicans. They all testified to acts of bulldozing and intimidation, and also to the finding of tissue ballots in some of the boxes. About a dozen witnesses testified before the Teller Committee, Jan. 24. Butler Spears, of Sumter county, colored Republican, testified he was pursued and fired at by the Democrats, and W. H. Singleton testified to finding packages of tissue tickets in the ballotbox at Swimming Pen Precinct C. H. Morse and Marion Morse, white Democrats of Sumter, testified to general good feeling towaid colored people in the county, and S. J. Hanna, colored Supervisor, testified to being assaulted and driven from the polls at King’s Tree, in Williamsburg county. Pendergass, colored Deputy United States Marshal at the same place, was assaulted by a party of Democrats, _ who then, without being sworn, voted the tissue tickets by handfuls. Other Supervisors testified to being refused admission to other polling-places in the county. H. E. Blair and J. H. Johnson, Republican Supervisors at Camden, Kershaw county, testified that the polls were crowded by whites so that the colored people could not vote, and to finding large numbers of tissue tickets in the ballot boxes. J. M. Cantoy and W. M. Shannon, Democratic Supervisors at the same place, and W. D. Grantham, County Chairman, testified that after 9 in the morning the crowding was over, and that everybody who chose to do so could vote, and that many colored people abstained from voting.at the instigation of their leaders.

Several Republican witnesses testified before the Teller Committee, on Jan. 25, to the fact of tissue tickets being found in boxes in various precincts in Richland county. White and colored Democrats from Sumter county testified there were from 1,500 to 2,000 colored Democrats in the county, and hundreds of ♦hem were seen to vote the Democratic ticket. Two testified to being cursed, jeered at and threatened by colored Republicans, one being obliged to leave his church. W. J. Whipper (colored), Republican, described the turbulent conduct of the Democrats, and the demand for a division of time in Hampton county.- Three Republicans from Colleton county testified to intimidation, and the use of tissue ballots in that county. This testimony was flatly contradicted by the Democratic County Chairman, who swore to the thoronghnesixand peacefulness of the Democratic can vans. AT NEW ORLEANS, LA. When the Teller Committee left New Orleans for Charleston, they appointed representatives to take additional testimony before United States Commissioner Lane, and a large number of witnesses have been examined. W. J. Cumming, a member of the Legislature from Natchitoches, testified that the general tenor of the testimony of witnesses on the Republican side is to the effect that a conspiracy existed on the part of the Democrats to break up negro meetings for political effect. Such testimony is unqualifiedly false. There was no organized band such as Blount described. Our action against Blount and others was taken for protection, they having threatened to got the negroes together and burn the town. The testimony of the witness throughout was contradictory to the Republican witnesses. A number of other witnesses from Natchitoches were called by the Democrats, and corroborated Cumming’s statements. They all contradicted the matiinnnv nf the Rennhlican witnesses as to intimidtltion, showing they apprehended violence threatened by the negroes, and their action was for the purpose of preserving the peace; also that many negroes voted the Democratic ticket.

FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. Monday, Jan. 20.—Senate.—Mr. Cockrell introduced a bill to provide a uniform national currency. .. .Mr. Morgan submitted a substitute agreed upon in the Democratic caucus for Mr. Edmunds’ resolution concerning suffrage and the later constitutional amendments. Laid on the table. The following are the resolutions: “1. It is the judgment of the renate that the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments to the constitution of the United States are as valid and binding as any other part of the constitution. That the people of the United States have a common interest in the enforcement of the whole constitution in every State and Territory of the United States, and that it is alike the right and duty of the United States, so far as power has been delegated to them, o enforce said amendments and to protect every citizen in the exercise of all rights thereby secured. 2. That the Government of the United States and the Governments of the several States are distinct, and each has citizens of its own who owe it allegiance, and whose rights within its jurisdiction it must protect. That the Government of the United States is one of delegated powers alone; its authority is defined and.limited by the constitution; all powers not granted it by that instrument, not prohibited to it by the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people, and that no right can be acquired under the constitution, or secured through the laws of the United States, except such as the Government of the United States has authority to grant or secure, 3. That the constitution of the United States has not conferred the right of suffrage upon any one, and the United States have no voters of their own creation in the States, but the Fifteenth amendment of the constitution has invested citizens of the United States with a new constitutional right, which is an exemption from discrimination in the exercise of the elective franchise on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude, and it is within the jurisdiction of the United States, which Congress may exert by appropriate legislation, to prevent the denial or abridgment by a State of the right of a citizen to vote, when such denial or abridgment is on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude of the voter. 4. That, when such right to vote is denied or abridged by the conduct of a person who is not acting by authority and obedience to the laws of a State, the jurisdiction to punish such conduct is in the State Government, and is net in the Government of the United States.”

House.- The day was » dull one in the House, the time being consumed in the introduction of bills, and those offered were of little importance. Tuesday, Jan. 21.—Senate.—Mr. Morrill, from the Committee on Finance, reported, without amendment, the House bill passed by the House on the llith inst, to facilitate Hie refunding of national debt. J laced on the calendar. Mr. Matthews presented a bill to prevent the introduction of contagious or infectious diseases in the United States, and to establish a Bureau of Public Health. Referred.... Mr. Chaffee introduced a joint resolution directing the cancellation of $1 and $2 United States notes. Laid on the table to be called up by Mr. Chaffee hereafter... .The Senate bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to deposit certain funds held by him as trustee for the Indian tribes in the Treasury of the United States in lieu of investment, led to a long discussion without action. House.— Mr. Potter offered e resolution authorizing an investigation into the cipher dispatches, which led. to a protracted debate. Mr. Potter alluded to the history connected with the formation of the Potter committee, and his refusal at that time to allow an amendment to the resolution so that the Oregon dispatches should be inquired into. He denied that he had ever been controlled by Tilden in any way. Mr. Butler opposed the resolution. He thought the House had no jurisdiction <Wer the subject, and said it would be better to give the sto.<X!o asked for to the families of poor men. Instead of wasting it in investigating private dispatches. Mr. Hale followed in a brief speech, earnestly adoveating the investigation. He thought it was duo to the simple old man In New York who .was dragged out as a Democratic candidate, and whose good

“A Finn Adherence to Correct Principles.”

name wm Imperiled by bin trusted friends. Mr. Conger said that the Republicans came here in December, expecting the Democracy to rush forward with a resolution for investigating, but he had been amazed at the long silence. The Republicans kept quiet, but it <as hard work, and he was glad now, at this late hour, that Mr. Potter had been moved. Mr. Hewitt favored the resolution, saying that, .as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, he had never sent a dispatch which would . not bear the light. He never heard of these cipher dispatches until they were in print. The investigation was demanded by justice to an outraged leader of the Democratic party, and by the party itself. An investigation would vindicate Tilden from calumny heaped upon him by the Republicans. The resolution was then adopted by a vote of 123 yeas to 120 nays. Wednesday, Jan. 22.— Senate.— Mr. Garland, from the Committee on Public Lands, submitted a minority report on the claim of Mr. McGarrahan. together with a bill placing all claimaulß Lm Uie natlcno FauucUe Oiaud, In California, in the Court of Claims, with the right of appeal to the Supreme Court. Laid on the table, the bill and report to be printed... The House bill to facilitate the refunding of the national debt was passed unanimously. The bill now goes to the President.... Mr. Davis (Ill.) introduced a bill to prevent and punish counterfeiting, within the United States, of notes, bonds, and other securities of foreign Governments. Referred. House. The bill was passed appropriating sfio,o<)o for the transportation of coin and bullion, and $4(),0C0 for the miscellaneous expenses of the House.... The Senate amendments to the Indian Appropriation bill were non-concurred in.... Mr. Stephens introduced a bill defining and describing the duties of the Secretary of the Treasury in certain cases. Referred Quite a stormy debate arose in regard to the Southern Claim bill, in the course of which Mr. Bragg, of Wisconsin, stated that, if the South was solid for the Democratic party simply for the purpose of getting money out of the treasury, it would be well for the Northern Democracy if the Southern Democrats went over to the Republican party, and he hoped they would do so.' Mr. Ellis, of Louisiana, replied to Mr. Bragg. He said the Southern people were as true to the Democratic party as the gentleman from Wisconsin (Bragg), and it was in obedience to Democratic teachings, as the Southern people had understood them, that they had gone into the war. Thursday, Jan. 23.—Senate.—Mr. Morrill, from the special committee in regard to taking the census, reported a bill, which was placed on the calendar... .Mr. Burnside reported favorably the House bill to promote the education of the blind. ... .The report of the conference committee on the Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation bill was agreed to. and the bill passed. The total amount appropriated is $1,078,035... .The bill to amend'the Patent laws was discussed. House.— The conference report on the Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation bill was agreed to. ... .The Postoffice Appropriation bill was then reported... .The House, in committee of the whole, debated at length the bill to apply the proceeds of the sale of public lands to the education of the people Mr. Cox (N. Y.), Chairman of the Committee on Census, reported a bill for taking the Federal census. Ordered printed and recommitted. Mr. Ryan from the same committee, submitted the views of the minority. Ordered printed and recommitted .... An evening session was held for the consideration of the bill for the classification of mail matter, and to regulate the rates of postage thereon. It divides the mail matter into tour classes: First, written matter; second, periodical publications under registration: third, miscellaneous printed matter: and fourth, merchandise; and makes the rates of postage uniform on all periodicals, whether daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly. The bill was satisfactory to the publishers of the country. A number of amendments were ottered, and. after debate, rejected, when Mr. Waddell. Chairman of the committee, remarked that the bill had the approval of all the legitimate publishers ot the country’, and that it was being “ talked to death by chin-music,” and he therefore moved to adjourn. Agreed to. Friday, Jan. 25.—Senate.—There was little or nothing done. Mr. Edmunds made another unsuccessful attempt to take up the resolutions recently submitted by him, declaring the validity of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments to the constitution. House. —Mr. Fuller presented a resolution directing the Committee on Ways and Means to con wider the feasibility of enacting a law to equalize the internal-revenue tax among all the States. Adopted... .The House went into committee of the whole, Mr. Bell in the chair, on the private calendar. Almost all the war-claim bills were objected to by Mr. Bragg. The committee rose, and twelve private bills reported were passed by the House... .Mr. Banning presented a substitute for the Army Organization bill, aud asked leave to have it printed. So ordered. Saturday, Jan) 25.—Senate.—Not in session. House. —The House devoted the entire day, in committee of the whole, to the consideration of the Postoffice Appropriation bill, no other business being transacted.

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

Tuesday, Jan. 21.—The day was given up entirely to Senatorial matters, all other business being ignored by both houses. In the Senate, previous to the election, the Republicans offered a resolution against the repeal of the iteanmnGpr. <u>t jx-limh was passed, under pressure of the previous queuu.,?,, a-i to 23, three Democratic Senators—Reeve, Sarninghausen and Winterbotham—voting with'the Republicans. Then a resolution was offered by the Republicans that no one should be voted for for United States Senator who had voted 1 for the Congressional back-pay. Ulis was ' tabled—2s to 21. The Democrats then struck i back by offering a resolution that no man should be voted for who had speculated in Venezuela bonds. This was passed—36 to 10. After a recess of ten minutes the business of the day was begun. Mr. Reeve nominated Daniel W. Voorhees for the short term, and Mr. Langdon named Godlove 8. Orth. The vote resulted: i Voorhees, 26; Orth. 22; Buchanan, 1; Poindex- : ter and Floyd, the other two National Senators, voted with the Democrats. The vote on the long term was the same, Ben Harrison receivi ing twenty-one Republican votes... .In the House, Mr. Van Valzah nominated Voorhees for the short term; Owen, of Warren, named Orth. The vote resulted: Voorhees, 57; Orth. 37; James Buchanan, 2; Shakelford, of Evansville, 1. This fast was the vote of Mr. Gordon, of Marion county, who bolted Orth. Five Nationals explained "that they voted for Voorhees because they had no chance to elect the man of their own party. For the long term Voorhees? Harrison and feuchanan were placed in nomination, and the roll-call showed 57 votes for Voorhees, 38 for Harrison, and 2 for Buchanan. Wednesday, Jan. 22.—Senate.—The entire morning session was occupied in discussing a minority report, recommending the passage of the bill making void agreements to pay attorneys’ fe?s in notes, etc. The majority report on the above bill was finally adopted. It recommends its reference to the Committee on Rights and Privileges ... .Communications from the Governor, recommending the passage of laws allowing courts to appoint prosecuting attorneys to certain cases, and for the protection of United States coast surveys, were received and referred.... The Mexican war veterans having been invited to seats on the floor of the Senate, they appeared in a body, and the Senate took a recesS. During the recess an address of welcome was delivered by the Lieutenant Governor, and responded to by Gen. Manson and Maj. Gordon. The House concurrent resolution asking Congress to pass a law granting pensions to the survivors of the Mexican war was taken up and passed unanimously. House. —A resolution was adopted directing State officers to report all salaries and fees they have received during the past year, and from what source....A concurrent resolution was unanimously passed instructing Senators and Representatives to vote for a bill granting pensions to survivors of the Mexican war. The Mexican war veterans were received on the floor of the House and extended a cordial welcome. Joint Convention.—Upon the reading of the journals of both houses, it appearing that Daniel W. Voorhees had received a majority of all the votes cast in both houses, Lieut. Gov. Gray declared him elected to the Senate of the United States to both the long and short terms. Thursday, Jan. 23.—Senate.—The Senate adopted ,a resolution asking for statements from all county officers of the fees received during the year 1878... .The Lieutenant Governor announced as the Standing Committee on Reapportionment of the State for Senatorial and Represeiitative purposes, Messrs. Viche, Moore, Sarninghausen, Grubbs, Reeve, Langdon, Davis, Urmston, Heilman, Winterbotharq, Garrigus, Tarlton and Coffee; also as the Standing Committee on the Reapportionment of the State for Congressional purposes, Messrs. Burrell, Tavlor, Menzes, Olds, Fowler, Harris, Kent, Comstock, Hebron, Mercer, Wood, Smith and Reiley.... A concurrent resolution was adopted requesting our representatives in Congress to procure the passage of a law requiring the plaintiff in casen where judgment is rendered in Federal

cotirte against residents in this State to cause a brief memorandum of judgment to be sent to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in which defendant resides, to be entered on the judgment docket...-. Bills were introduced: To provide for the determination and allowance of claims against the State; declaring agreements in notes, etc., to waive valuation and appraisement laws void; granting the privilege of remonstrance against sale of liquors, and several apportionment bi115....A1l apportionment biffs were ordered pi in ted on first reading. House.—The House again postponed consideration until next week Wednesday of the constitutional amendments... .Bills were introduced: To form a Metropolitan Police system in all cities of more than 30,000 inhabitants; to regulate the charges of sleeping coaches, fixing the price at 50 cents between any two points within the State for a time not to exceed twenty-fonr h»»wr>, to provide lor a gcuUi&iual survey; fixing the salary of Superintendent of Public Instruction of $1,500; for a local option liquor law; reducing fees of State officers, and a number of others, which cover the same subjects as bills already introduced... .Mr. Gordon introduced a bill repealing that portion of the State House act which requires the Governor to select Commissioners equally from the two leading parties... .Mr. Overmeyer introduced a resolution looking to the consolidation of all the State Universities and the repeal of all laws making the standing appropriations. Adopted. Friday, Jan. 24.—Senate.—Senator Olds introduced a resolution, which passed, for the appointment of a committee of five to investigate the Soldiers’ Home and all benevolent institutions, with a view to determining whether any trustee or officer has received or charged a greater amount for his services than he is entitled to receive under the law. House —Mr. Gordon introduced the following bill into the Legislature: It provides that, in trials where the unsoundness of mind of defendant is set up as a defense, and testimony is. introduced to show that he was insane at tl e time of committing the crime, and the defendant is acquitted, that the jury shall specifically find in the verdict whether the defendant was so insane at the time, and whether he is insane at the time of trial, and whether they acquit defendant because of such insanity. The court shall have power to order the defendant into strict custody in the place provided by law until the person shall nave recovered from such insanity. Provided, that in case it is shown that insanity is constitutional or hereditary, or that the crime was committed through insane impulse, then the defendant shall be confined during his natural life.... The Legislature is blocked just now by a great number of bills that have accumulated on the files. Several days will be spent in recording bills a second time and referring them, in order to get the committees to work. Saturday, Jan. 25.—Senate.—A message from the Governor announced the appointment of J. T. Sc >tt, of Vigo, and Howard Briggs, of Sullivan, as Trustees of the Normal School, and asked that they be confirmed... .The State House Commissioners invited the Senate to inspect the plans and samples of stone for the new State House... .Senators Olds, Woolen, Treat, Foster and Kramer were appointed, a committee to investigate the benevolent and reformatory institutions.... The resolution asking for modification of the patent laws was adopted... .About a dozen unimportant bills were introduced, when the Senate adjourned. House. Mr. Humphreys’ Apportionment bill was ordered printed, and he intimated that it was the one the committee would recommend,. .. .The remainder of the session was takon’np with tho nsnnnH i-Aarting of bills, and at noon the House adjourned until Monday afternoon

Polygamy.

Senator Christiancy, of Michigan, has introduced in Congress a bill providing that every person who has a husband or w’ife living, who, in a Territory or other place over which the United States has exclusive jurisdiction, marries another, whether married or single, and any man who hereafter simultaneously or on the same day marries more than one woman, in a Territory or other place over which the United States has exclusive jurisdiction, shall be deemed guilty of bigamy, and be punished by a fine of not more than SSOO and by imprisonment of not more than five years, but this section shall not extend to any person by reason of any former marriage whose husband or wife by such marriage is absent for five successive years, and is not known to such person to be living, nor to any person by reason of any former marriage which 1>»“ been dissolved by decree of a competent uovwt, 4<> any person by reason of any former marriage which has been pronounced void by the decree of a competent court on the ground of nullity of the marriage contract. The foregoing provisions are not to effect the prosecution or punishment of any offense already committed against the present law. The President is authorized to grant amnesty to such classes of offenders against the antipolygamy law, and on such conditions and under such limitations, as he shall think proper,’but no such amnesty shall have effect unless, the conditions thereof shall have been complied with. The issue of plural marriages, known as Mormon marriages, in cases in which such marriages have been solemnized according to the rites of the Mormon sect in any Territory of the United States, and if such issue shall have been bom before the Ist of November, 1879, are legitimate, and shall be entitled to all the rights of heirs and next of kin of their parents. Polygamists are disqualified from performing jury duty. Placed on the calendar.

Indian Statistics.

The following items, relative to the Indians in 1868 and 1878, are taken from the annual report of the Board of Indian Commissioners, in which the progress of the Indians during the last decade is traced: 1868. 1878. Number of Indians in the United States (except Alaska) 20.864 Number of Indians who wear citi-zens-dress 127,450 Number of houses occupied by Indians 8,646 23.060 Number of houses builtlast year 145 Number of Indian schools 148 366 Number of Indian pupils 5,810 12,222 Amount expended foreducation $353,125 Number of Indians who can read 41.809 Number of Indians who learned to read last year (five civilized tribes excepted) 1.532 Number of church buildings on reservations 229 Number of church members (abo’t) 30.000 Number of acres of land cultivated by Indians.'. 79,071 372,018 Number of bushels of wheat raised by 1ndian5169.365 770.615 Number of bushels of corn raised. 520.079 3.633.743 Number of bushels of oats and barley raised 81,151 386.132 Number of bushels of vegetables raised3so.69o 694.001 Number of tons of bay made 18,016 158.011 Number of horses and mules owned 78,018 256,754 Number of cattle 47,701 291,378 Number of swine 31,281 200.952 Number of sheep 7,953 594.574

The Crops.

Corn crop 30,000,000 bushels larger than that of 1877; oat crop greater than that of 1877; barley unchanged; rye, one-sixth larger; potatoes, 124,000,000 bushels, against 170,000,000 in 1877; hay, 20 per cent, larger ; tobacco, 75 per cent, of lost year’s crop in twelve States; grapes, reduced production on the Atlantic slope, greatly increased yield in California; apples, increased yield in New England, New York, Texas and the Pacific States, a falling off elsewhere; pears, half to two-thirds of last year’s crop.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE SOUTH.

A Convention of Northern Settlers Without Reference to Politics in North Carolina. [Charlotte (N. C.) Cor. New York World.] There met in this city to-day a convention which, from the singularity of its character and from the results expected to flow from it, has attracted a great deal of attention throughout the Southern States, more especially in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The convention is composed of Northern gentlemen who have settled in the South since the war. There are living in this county, engaged in farming, mining and mercantile pursuits, about fifty citizens of this description, among whom is Mr. Dumont, a native of Massachusetts, an exFederal soldier, and an officer of the United States signal service. He has prospered in business, established himself in the confidence of the people, ana learned to like them. In view of the frequent and gross misrepresentations of the South on the part of Republican politicians and newspapers, it occurred to him and the other Northern settlers in this section that a convention, composed of the clasp of citizens indicated, called together without distinction of party, religion, or local lines, might put forth an utterance which would go far toward convincing the Northern people of the true situation of affairs in this section of the country. Accordingly, about a month ago, Mr. Dumont, as the prime mover in the matter, put forth a circular letter, of which the following is a copy, directing copies of it to every Northern man in the South of whom he could learn: My Dear Sir; I have consulted with a number of gentlemen who have removed from New York, New Hampshire aud other Northern States and settled iu this State, South Carolina and Georgia since the war, many of them ex-Union soldiers. I myself am from Springfield, Mass. The conclusion we have arrived at is that Northern men who have settled in the South have in their hands the solution of the question as to whether any considerable number of Northern men and active Northern capital can be diverted to the South. Many of the Northern Sapers are giving wrong notions as to how brthern people are received. You know many of our friends will not put much faith in what Southern men or papers say on this head. We who have consulted upon this matter deem it wise to hold a convention of Northern men only who have settled South since the war—good, fair, representative men. Your name has been given as such an one. It is desired in the convention to prepare a statement for publication in Northern papers, setting forth the soil, climate, prices, ease of making a Jiving and social treatment of the individual Northern man. It is not desired to cover any question of politics or extreme views of any kind. In your letter, whether of acceptance or declination, please state if you were in the Federal army, company and regiment.; where you moved from to your present residence, and how long you have resided at your present wherealxmts. As a matter of course, comparatively, few people could be reached directly by this circular; therefore, 800 copies of it were sent out; but the press took hold of it and has been pursuing it with a great deal of energy. This has been especially true of this State, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia, and by this means the movement has been not only thoroughly advertised in the States named, but there has been built up in its behalf a strong sentiment among the people. It is not to be denied that in the beginning failure stared the project in the face, It is no small matter for a lot of men to quit their business and gather from long distances in convention, the results of which, however fruitful it might be of results, could not redound to any advantage to them in any direct manner, and which offered but little indirectly. But somehow or other the movement struck a popular chord. It was less than a week from the time the call was issued that responses began to pour in. Some of these letters were from Democrats and some from Republicans ; some from those wlio were Federal soldiers and some from those who were not; but the letters came from the Northern settlers until every pigeonhole in Mr. Dumont’s office was full of them.

With four exceptions (and I have examined all the letters) they are of the same general tenor. In more than a hundred of these letters the writers pledge attendance at this convention, and all of them, with the four exceptions noted, declare the entire satisfaction of the writers with their Southern homes; declare that they find the soil more fertile than they had expected, the climate delightful, and their social relations altogether agreeable. They cordially indorse the convention; hope the attendance may be large, and that, through its instrumentality, others may be induced to follow their example and settle in the South. Of the four writers who dissent from the majority, one is Joseph C. Abbott, of New Hanover county, N. C.,a leading Republican politician of the State after the war, and for one term United States Senator; another is A. W. Shaffer, of Raleigh, United States Register in Bankruptcy, a ward politician, and a well-known stirrer-up of strife. It may be here noted that 4he leading Republican newspaper of the State has attacked the convention and its promoters, and this is the full extent of the opposition which the movement has encountered. Between 75 and 100 delegates were present from Virginia, Northand South Georgia and Florida. Mr. Dumont was chosen President, and a Vice President was chosen from each of the other four States. Messrs. Cushing, of North Carolina, and Hoyt, of South Carolina, spoke particularly of the kindness with which they had been treated in their respective homes, and when their speeches were concluded the Committee on Resolutions, appointed in the early stages of the proceedings, submitted its report. It is long, and consists of thirty-one resolutions, mainly upon the prejudice existing in the North against the South. The report says “ that in the portions of the South in which We reside the right of any man, from no matter where, to express! publicly as well as privately his opinion upon any subject and of every nature is nowhere and in no manner restrained; that all laws are well administered and as truly enforced against the ■wrong-doer as in- any part of any State of the Union.” Much is also said about the kindly, social character of the Southern people, and then the committee touched upon the virtues of the soil, the climate, the forests and the mines, and the facilities for manufacturing. The natives are criticized for their thriftless methods of agriculture, their bad roads and their inattention to fruit, grass-growing and sheep husbandry. The twenty-ninth resolution declares

$1.50 uer Annum.

NUMBER 51.

that “We find that no man is ostracized for his opinion or on account of the land of his birth; but, as elsewhere, for his bad acts and dishonest failures to meet his trusts and obligations,” and the thirty-first and last of the findings is as follows: “We find that to the people of the other sections of the United States the South is an unknown land so far as relates to knowledge of its soil, its climate, its healthfulness, and its people. That it is labeled for partisan ends, and we present this"'document, in all conscience and honor, to give honest knowledge ahd to correct wrong reports.’’ These resolutions were passed seriatim and then as a whole. There was not a dissenting voice, and the announcement of the result was hailed with applause. .At the night session, which was held principally for speaking, ex-Federals and Confederates mingled together like their respective flags on the walls of the Opera House, and the best of feeling prevailed. Speeches were made by a number of delegates and prominent citizens, and the convention adjourned at a late hour of the night.

IN THE LAST DITCH.

Tlie Second Slaughter of Cheyennes— Brave Resistance and Heroic Heath of the Desperate Savages. A correspondent at Camp Robinson, Neb., gives the following graphic account of the second slaughter of Cheyenne Indians, enacted forty miles northwest of that post. It reads more like a fiction born of the imagination than an actual occurrence of the nineteenth century : It will bo remembered that on the morning of the 20th Capt. Wessells, with his command, finding the body of Barber in the bluffs, where he had been killed by savages the previous evening, discovered the renegades had fled from their stronghold during the night. Capt. Wessells returned to his command with the view of starting in pursuit of the Cheyennes. On his arrival in camp he found that Col. Evans had arrived a few minutes previous. In as few w’ords as possible he informed that officer of the Cheyennes’ escape during the night. Col. Evans, having assumed command, immediately began search for the Indian trail, which was found an hour later by Lieut. Chase, leading in a westerly direction, and followed by the whole command, consisting of Companies A, B, D, E, I and H. On approaching a large range of hills, Col. Evans a halt. Taking Companies B and D, he slowly advanced toward. the bluffs. The Indians, who were strongly intrenched on the highest point, allowed the troops to advance within pistol-range without being themselves discovered, and then poured a volley into the troops, without further injury than that of killing the horse ridden by Col. Evans. The troops at once sought shelter from the enemy’s fire. Col. Evans, taring in the situation, dispatched a courier to Capt. Wessells with instructions to proceed immediately to the other side of the bluffs and endeavor to prevent the Indians’ escape during the night, when a charge would be made the following morning. The supposition is that the Indians, from their high position, discovered Wessells’ movements, and, deeming flight the better part of valor, took to their heels, which maneuver, owing to the coming darkness, was not discovered by Wessells until the following morning, when the trail was discovered, still leading west. Wessells, with four companies, immediately gave chase. His advance guard was surprised at noon by the Indians intrenched in a deep ravine. The savages opened fire on the military, seriously wounding Private Deboise. Company H, Third cavalry. Capt. Wessells, riding at the head of the main column, hearing the firing, galloped forward to ascertain the cause. He saw at a glance the situation, and ordered half a dozen sharpshooters to dismount and cover Deboise, who w r as lying apparently dead, fearing that the savages might dash from their pits and gain possession of his arms. Capt. Wessells then ordered the command to dismount and the companies to deploy as skirmishers, Lieut. Chase commanding. A company advanced from the center up the ravine; Capt. Lawson, commanding Company E, marched to the mouth of the ravine, and Companies H and E moved forward on either side, thus completely surrounding and shutting the Indians off from any possible escape. As the troops advanced, and when within 100 yards of the savages’ intrenchment, the latter poured a deadly volley into the midst of the skirmishers commanded by Lieut. Chase, killing Sergt. Taggart and Privates Brown and Nelson. Capt. Wessells, seeing his men fall, gave the command “Double quick;” which was promptly obeyed, his men as they advanced keeping up a continuous fire with fearful effect as they neared the savages’ rifle-pits. When within thirty yards of the pits the Cheyennes again rose from their dug-outs, and, despite the galling fire from the troops, poured a volley into them, slightly wounding Capt. Wessells and a sergeant of his company named Reed. Lieut. Chase, seeing Capt. Wessells fall, sprung forward, and, carrying his superior officer to a small spur of rocks, nearly out of range of the savages’ fire, ran back to his company, who w’ere near the edge of the Indians’ intrenchments, and lustily cheered his men forward. Obeying the orders of their company commander without a moment’s hesitation, the men dashed forward, and as they neared the pits two Cheyennes sprung therefrom, having in their hands huge huntingknives, determined to die game, but before they advanced a step they were riddled with bullets. At this moment Capt. Wessells, having regained consciousness, came to the front, and, seeing the pits strewn with the dead bodies of the Indians, ordered his men to cease firing with a view 7 of getting the remainder of the savages to surrender, but they heeded him not until one buck only remained alive. It must be said in justice to the troops that during the engagement not one was known deliberately to fire at a squaw or papoose. On an examination of the ground after the engagement 17 bucks, 4 squaws and 2 children were found dead, 3 squaws, 2 children and 1 buck wounded, and 3 squaws remained unhurt, making a total of 32 in all. “Pants for $5?” said a seedy-looking man, reading the sign in the window of a clothing store he was passing—“so do 1. I never panted so for $5 in all my ilfe.” ‘ ‘

gemorratq JOB PRINTING OFFICE Hu better taciHtiea than any office In Northwettex* Indiana for the executte* of all branch* of JOB FRINTINTG. PROMPTNESS A SPECIALTY. Anything, from a Dodger to a Price-List, or from t Pamphlet to a Poster, black or colored, plain or fancy. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED.

THE INDIANS.

Report of the National Board. The Board of Indian Commissioners has just held its regular yearly meeting in Washington, and ha,? prepared its tenth annual report, to be submitted to the President. This report contains a comparative statement showing the "condition of the Indians in 1868 and 1878. From this statement it appears that one-half of the Indians have discarded the blanket and donned civilized garb; that about one-half have moved out of their lodges and wigwams into houses, the number of which has increased nearly three-told in ten years; that the number of pupils in Indian schools has more than doubled, and that nearly onesixth of. our Indian population can read; that about one-eighth are members of Christian churches; that the number of acres of land cultivated by the Indians is about five times as great as ten years ago; that the production of wheat has increased nearly fivefold, of corn seven-fold, of oats and barley nearly four-fold, and of hay nearly nine-fold ; and that the Indians own about three times as many horses and mules, six times as many cattle, seven times as many swine, and about seventy-five times as many sheep as they did ten years ago. They now own more than two head of sheep for every Indian man, woman and child in the United States. The Board remarks: “ This exhibit of results is certainly encouraging, and it presents a strong argument against any radical change of policy. However that maybe, it is certain that at such a rate of progress, if continued, the feathered and blanketed savage who now 7 fills the public mind whenever the Indian is mentioned must soon disappear, and the fat contracts for beef and flour cease to exist, except in the sad memories of lucky contractors.” The board renews its approval of the plan to concentrate the smaller tribes on large reservations, thus continuing to sanction the reservation system and the isolation of the Indians. Considerable space is bestowed on the subject of allotments of land to individual Indians who make improvements thereon, and the plan of issuing patents in fee simple, but withholding the power to alienate the title by sale, mortgage or long leases, is urged. At a conference of the board and the representatives of the religious bodies, a memorial to the President and Congress was adopted, to be presented by a committee consisting of the Rev. Drs. Cutting, Lowrie and Strieby, and Friends Janney and Taturn. It will recommend and urge three measures: 1. That courts of Jaw be established in Indian reservations, with jurisdiction in all cases where both parties are Indians. There is no tribunal to try such cases, except iu some tribes a rude form of administering justice. It may be remembered that all the assassins of Hole-in-the-Day, a famous Sioux chief, who was friendly to the whites, and restrained his people from taking part in the Minnesota massacre of 1863, were well known. They were never brought to justice, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs declining to interfere in a cose where only Indians were concerned. 2. That common schools be provided for Indians the same as for white children under some regular system. 3. That the Homestead law be so modified that an Indian may select his homestead within the limits of the reservation to which he belongs.

Fast Trotters.

The following list includes the names of all American horses that have ever trotted in 2 :22 or better. 2:13| —Rarus. 2:14—Goldsmith Maid. 2:14J —Hopeful. 2 :15—Lula. 2:lsi —Smuggler. 2:l6{—Lucille Golddust. 2 :16|—American Girl. 2 :16t —Occident. 2 :17—Gloster. 2 :17£ —Dexter. 2:18 —Judge Fullerton, Great Eastern, Edwin Forrest, Red Cloud, Nettie. 2:lßi— Midnight, Lady Maud, Lady Thorne, Lucy. 2:18| —Col Lewis, Slow Go. 2:l9—Albemarle, Cozette, Edward, Dick Swiveller. 2:l9i—Comee, Croxie, Hannis, George Palmer, Bodine, Proteine. 2:19| —Thomas L. Young. 2:19 j—Adelaide, Flora Temple, Camors. 2:2o—Fleety Golddust, Frank, Little Fred, Nancy Hackett, Mambrino Gift, Prospero, May Queen, Bonesettcr. 2:2ol—Henry, Martha Washington, Mazo-Man ie. 2:2ol—Sam Purdy, Gov. Sprague. 2:2ol—Huntress, Mountain Boy, Lysander Boy. 2:2l—Banquo, Castle Boy, Clementine, Gazelle, Gen.' Garfield, Gen. Grant, King Philip, May Bird, Scott’s Thomae, White Stockings, Susie, Lucille, Powers, John H. 2:2ll—Kansas Chief, Hamiltonian Mambrino, Voltaire. 2:2ll —Abbotsford, Jay Gould, Music, Richard, Woodford Mambrino. 2:21 J —Moisey, Rosalind. 2:22 —Commonwealth, Bella, Blackbird, George Wilkes, Joe Brown, Mystic, Mollie Morris, Silversides, Little Gypsy, Oakland Maid, Jennie Holton.

That Excited Idiot.

He is always on the street, and if you walk much you will be sure to meet him at least once a week. He bears down at a rapid pace, and appears to be going to pass on your left, but at the distance of two feet he suddenly ducks to the right. You put on your brakes and try to veer to the east; he veers to the east; you try the west; he tries the west; you try the gutter side; he tries the gutter side; you try the inside; he tries the inside; you become excited and jump for an opening on his right; he flushes up and jumps in the same direction. There are but two ways to get by this excited idiot. The one is to right-about face, and go round the block; the other is to grab him around the waist and hold him till a policeman comes up and lets you go by. The expenditures at the Institution for the Education of the Blind, in Wisconsin, the past year, have been $20,000. The average number of pupils in attendance was 77, and the total during the year 90. The Trustees ask an appropriation of $18,500 to enable them to meet the expenses of the present year. At the Wisconsin Institute for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb 180 pupils were enrolled, and the average number in attendance was 140. The expenditures were $29,522.45, and the Trustees ask an appropriation of $30,000 for the current year.