Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1879 — Page 1

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HEWS OF THE WEEK.

FOREIGN NEWS. Paul Gervais, the eminent French naturalist, is dead. Gen. Chanzy has been appointed French Minister to Russia. Anarchy reigns in the ancient African empire of Morocco, according to recent advices received in Spain. The Emperor has been stricken with paralysis, and the Government appears to be in about the same condition. Emperor William opened the German Parliament in person en the 12th inst In his p eech from the throne he said be thanked the members for assisting in the suppression of the opialist agitation. He declared that the relations between Germany and all other powers are satisfactory, and that Germany would continue its influence in behalf of European peace. Gen. Grant has arrived in India. The British Parliament is again in session. Henry Goodyear, the India-rubber manufacturer, has just died in Paris. A dispatch from St. Petersburg says: “A military cordon is ordered along the entire course of the Volga to prevent the spread of the plague. Seventeen more doctors have been sent to the infected districts. Gen. Melikoff. finding the local prisons in a shockingly filthy condition and overcrowded, threatened the officials with death if the condition of things continued.” O’Kelly, the last of the Fenian prisoners, has been discharged from prison in Great Britain, on condition of quitting the country. There seems to be a probability that the difference between the German Government and the Vatican may at length be adjusted. It is reported by cable that Cordial letters have been exchanged between the Emperor and the Pope, anti that “concessions are made on both sides. “ London dispatches state that the British defeat in Houth Africa “ was not altogether a surprise. The British troops were unprepared, but the triumph of the Zulus was owing to their pluck as well as numbers. Fifteen thousand Zulus, armed wi h swords, attacked the British. Under a murderous British fire the Zulus at first fell by hundreds, but the plucky savages in the rear, comingon, filled up the gaps and the vast horde still advanced until within charging distance, when they rushed in with desperate courage for a death struggle. Encumbered with long rifles and being outnumbered ten to one, the British were stricken down by the Zulus with their Roman blades in a hand-to-hand combat. The scene was a wild orgie of death—a massacre, yet a battle.”

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. A horrible tragedy is reported from Troy, N. Y. G. F. Simmons, crazed by the elopement of his wife, poisoned his three children and then cut his throat After a strike of nearly two years, the chimney-glass blowers, of Pittsburgh, have thrown up the sponge, and expressed a willingness to return to work at the wages they were receiving when they went out The New York Legislature proposes to bring William H. Vanderbilt to book for evading the payment of taxes on his vast railway property. It is a singular fact that this man, who is supposed to be worth upward of 4ii00,000,000, does not pay one penny of taxes. An investigation of the accounts of the late County Treasurer, Conklin, of Oswego, N. shows a defalcation of $133,000. A house owned by John Guyer, in Allegheny county, Pa , was destroyed by fire a few mornings ago. Guyer and a man named Wilson, who were sleeping in the building, did not awake in time to escape, and were roasted to a crisp. George Shum, who was also an inmate, was burned so badly that his life is despaired of. Went. Owing to the large houses and popular enthusiasm with which the people of Chicago have greeted Alice Oates aud her troupe, Manager Haverly his retained that company for another week—the present—at which the attraction is the popular comic opera, “The Chimes of Normandy.” The commanding officer at Camp Bheridan telegraphs the particulars of the massacre of Frank Moorehead, James Ashbaugh, and two others on Cunning Water, by Little Wolf’s Cheyennes, who also took a large number of horses from ranches. A shocking accident is reported from Kansas City, Mo. A railway cut ninety feet deep, in which forty laborers with four teains were at work, caved in, burying workmen and teams out of sight Six of the men were killed outright and several wounded. fSoutti. A national conference of colored citizens will be held at Nashville, May 6. The object of the conference is stated to be “ to consider the situation of the colored people in the South relative to the enjoyment of life, liberty and property; also their educational, moral, social and political condition, and the question of emigration.” The Louisville Courier-Journal claims to have reliable information from Mississippi and Tennessee that yellow fever has broken out in those States, and there are a number of cases in each. Advices have also been received in St Louis to the same effect. Physicians in Mississippi and Tennessee contend that the exhuming and the removal of bodies are the cause of the reappearance of the disease, and that, if steps are not taken by the authorities to stop this, the fever will occur again with its old-time malignity. United States Judge Baxter, of Tennessee, has appointed a Receiver to take charge of the effects of the late city of Memphis, including taxes unpaid, amounting to nearly $3,000,--000, with power to sue, and collect in any way, by garnishment or otherwise. The Revenue Agent at Raleigh, N. C., reports capturing a number of distilleries and stills, and a large quantity of low-wines and whisky. In the fight two moonshiners were wounded. At Baltimore, *Henry Bowers, judge of election at the late Congressional election, for refusing permission to the United States Supervisor to inspect the ballot-box before the voting, was sentenced to twelve mot ths’ imprisonment and fined. Six other election officers, for violation of the Election laws, were also sentenced to imprisonment and fines. POLITICAL POINTS. Mr. Ghristiancy, Senator of the United States from Michigan, formally tendered his resignation on the 10th inst Gen. Garfield positively declines to he the Republican candidate for Governor of Ohio. This, it is claimed, enhances the chances rs Judge Taft, of Cincinnati It was resolved, at a caucus of Republican Senators in Washington, on the 12th inst, Mr. Edmunds’ coustitqtiomtl amendment

The Democratic Sentinel.

JAS, W. McEWEN Editor,

VOLUME 111.

prohibiting the payment of disloyal claims, shall be pushed to final action at this session. At the recent special election in the First district of Georgia, to fill the vacancy in Congress caused by the death of Hon. Julian Hartridge W. B. Fleming, Democrat, had no opposition, and was returned as Representative. At a caucus of the Republican members < f the Michigan Legislature, held on the 13th inst, Zachariah Chandler was nominated on the first ballot for United States Senator to succeed Mr. Christiancy, receiving 69 votes to 19 for Gov. Bagley. At a caucus of the Republican Senators, held at Washington on Feb. 13, it was decided that the Appropriation bills should be given the right-of-way in the order of business, and, in the intervals, that the following measures should be considered in the order named: Edmunds’ resolutions proposing an amendment to the constitution prohibiting the payment of claims to disloyal persons; second, the Geneva Award bill; third, a day for the consideration of bills reported from the Committee oa the District of Columbia; fourth, the consideration of a bill to render effective the laws against polygamy, and to disqualify polygamists from performing jury duty; fifth, the Internal Revenue bill, including the reduction of the tax upon tobacco. The Democratic Senators, at a caucus held on the 14th inst., decided that it would not . l>e expedient to do more than to attach to the appropriation bills the clause repealing the jurors' test oath, and as to the other matters that they can ba postponed until the regular session. The Chairman of the caucus, Senator Wallace, was directed to notify the House Dem ocratic caucus of this decision. This removes all danger of an extra session. The President has addressed the following letter to Gen. Edwin 8. Merritt, the new Collector of Customs at New York: My De ah General: I congratulate you bn youi confirmation. It is a great gratification to me, very honorable to you, and will prove, I believe, of signal service to the country. My desire is that the office be conducted on strictly business principles and according to the rules for the civil service which were recommended by the Civil Service Commission in the administration of Gen. Grant. I want you to be perfectly independent of mere Influ ence from any quarter. Neither my recommendation or that of Secretary Sherman, or of any member of Congress or other influential person, must be specially regarded. Let appointments and removals be made on business principles aud according to the rules. There must, I assume, be a few confidential places filled by those you personally know to be trustworthy, but restrict the area of patronage to the narrowest limits. Let no man be put out merely because he is a friend to Mr. Arthur, and no man put in merely because he is our friend. The good of the service should be the sole end in view. The best means presented, it seems to me, are the rules recommended by the Civil Service Commission. I shall issue no new order on the subject at present. lam glad you ap prove of the message, aud I wish you to see that all that is expressed or implied in it is faithfully carried out. Again congratulating you and assuring you of my entire confidence, I remain, sincerely, R. B. Hayes. To Gen. E. A. Merritt. WASHINGTON NOTES. Ex-Chief Justice Casey, of the United States Court of Claims, died at Washington, last week, aged 64. Hon. Horatio C. Burchard, Congressman from the Fifth District of Illinois, has been appointed Director of the United States Mints, vice Dr. Linderman, deceased. The President has appointed George C. Codd Postmaster at Detroit The Senate Chamber ,in the Capitol at Washington is to be lighted by electricity, the necessary apparatus having been already provided.

MISCELLANEOUS GLEANINGS. Fenian Head-Center Stephens has returned to New York after an absence of three years in France. He claims that Fenianism still lives and flourishes, both in Britain and America. The standard silver dollar is increasing in numbers. One million of them were coined the first twelve days in February. Carling’s brewery, at London, Ontario, the largest in America, has been destroyed by fire. less, $150,000. George Williamson, United States Minister to Central America, has resigned, and gone into the mining business in that country.

THE BLAINE INVESTIGATION. Gen. Reuben E. Davis, defeated Greenback candidate for Congress at the late election in Mississippi, testified before the Teller Committee, at Washington, on the 12tl inst. He said he was at first informed he had been elected, but was afterward told Muldrow was successful. Senator Garland, of the committe, called the attention of witness to his testimony before the Boutwell Committee in 1876. The witness said he indorsed every word he then uttered. He had said the Radicals were bulldozers, and they operated on negroes by superstition, threatening to put snakes aud lizards into them. The Democrats now are obnoxious to what he then said of the Radicals. The white man could not vote in the South against the Democracy without being ostracised. William Vasser, a white Republican politician, testified to being bulldozed and intimidated in the late campaign, and thought on a fair vote Mississippi would go Republican. At a meeting of the Teller Committee at Washington, on the 13th inst, J. H Field and W. W. Humphreys, of Mississippi, were examined in reference to the recent election in that State. Both testified that it was conducted fairly and peaceably, though actively and energetically; that nobody was prevented from voting, and that there was no disposition to deprive the colored man of any of bis rights, except, perhaps, on the part of a few extreme men. Messrs. Hoar, McMillan, Kirkwood, Garland and Wallace were constituted a sub-committee to investigate the election-fund assessments. The committee then adjourned subject to the call of the Chairman. FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. Febbuary 10.—In the Senate, the House bill authorizing an issue of certificates of deposit of the denomination of $lO, to aid in refunding the public debt, was amended by increasing tho rate of interest from 3 to 4 per cent., and then passed.... Mr. McCreery addressed the Senate in favor of the transfer of the Indian Bureau to the War Department. and Mr. Paddock made a speech on Agriculture... .Mr. Morrill introduced two financial measures—one authorizing the conversion of national gold bonds, and the other amending the Revised Statutes relative to the deposit of bonds by associations. In the House, motions to suspend the rules and pass the bill repealing the law in regard to the test oath of jurors, aud also the law for tho appointment and payment of Supervisors of Election and their aids, were rejected—yeas, 126; nays, 118—not the necessary two-thirds voting in the affirmative.... A motiofi to suspend the rules and pass the bill to establish postal savings banks was defeated- yeas, 89: nays, 184... .Mr. Acklen introduced a bill to restore the franking privilege... .The General Appropriation bill was discussed. February 11.—In the Senate, a resolution was adopted ordering the Committee on Agriculture to consider what can be done by the General Government to better encourage and foster agricultural Interests,,,, Mr. Cameron .(Pa.) submitted

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1879..

a joint resolution providing for a commission to consider and report what legislation is needed for the better regulation of commerce among the States. In the House, the entire day was devoted to the consideration of the General Appropriation biU. Febkuaby 12 —ln the Senate, the Committee on Indian Affairs reported that they were unable to make a report at this session upon the Indian •laughter at Fort Robinson, and, at their reqneat the matter was referred to a select committee.... Mr. Sannders addressed the benate in support of his bill to authorize the temporary transfer of the control of certain Indians from the Interior to the War Department. The Honse was engaged all day upon the Legislative Appropriation bill. February 13. In the Senate, the bill authorizing the conversion of gold bonds was passed.... There was a long debate on the bill to restrict Chi. nese Immigration—Messrs. Sargent, Grover and Morgan advocating, and Messrs, Matthews and Hamlin opposing the bill. In the House, the day was devoted to the Legislative Appropriation bill, and to memorial exercises of the late Julian Hartridge, of Georgia. February 14.—The Senate consumed the day in discussing the bill to restrict Chinese immigration, without coming to a vote. In the House, there was a wrangle over the bill, reported from the. Committee on Military Affairs by Mr. Bragg, to place Gen. Shields on the retired list, which was ended by the matter being referred to the committee of the whole. Tho balance of the day was devoted to the consideration of private claims. February 15.—After a long and animated debate the Senate passed, by a vote of 89 to 27. the House bill to restrict the immigration of Chinese. ... .Mr. Allison introduced a bill to provide a sinking fund for bonds issued in pursuance of the act of Congress of June 20, 1874, known as 3.65 District of Columbia bonds.... Mr. McPherson presented a petition of the New Jersey Historical Society in favor of erecting a monument to Christopher Columbus by the republics of the Western Hemisphere, and that the United States take the initiative. Ihe House was engaged all day on the Legislative Appropriation bill.

Shutting Out the Mongolians.

The following is the text of the bill to restrict the immigration of Chinese to the United States, as it passed Congreksj He enacted, eh., That no master of any vessel owned in whole or in part by a citizen of the United States, or by a citizen of any foreign country, shall take on board such vessel at any port or place within the Chinese empire or at any other foreign port or place whatever, any number exceeding fifteen Chinese passengers, whether male or female, with intent to bring such passengers to the United States, and leave such port or place and bring such passengers, t> any num tier exceeding fifteen on one voyage, within the jurisdiction of rhe United States. Sec. 2. That whenever a master or other person in charge of any such vessel takes on board the same at any foreign port or place any greater number of Chinese passengers than is prescribed in the first section of this act, with intent to bring such passengers tj rhe United States, and leave such port and bring such passengers to any number exceeding fifteen on one voyage within the jurisdiction of the United States, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, for each passenger so taken on board and brought within the jurisdiction of tho United States, exceeding the number of fifteen, be fined SIOO, and may al o be imprisoned for not exceeding six months. Sec. 3. That the master of any vessel arriving in the United States, or any of the Territories thereof, from any foreign place, whatever, at the same time that he delivers a manifest of the cargo, aud, if there be no c <rgo. then at the timo of making a report or entry of the vessel, pursuant to law, shall, in addition to other matters required to be reported by law, deliver aud report to the Collector of tho district in which such vessel shall arrive, a separate list of all Chinese passengers taken on board the vessel at any foreign port or place, and of all such passengers on board the vessel at that time. Such list shall be sworn to by the master in the same manner as directed by law in relation to the manifest of cargo, and the refusal or neglect of a master to comply with the provisions of this section shall receive the same penalties, disabilities, and perfectures as are provided for the refusal or neglect to report and deliver the manifests of cargo. Sec. 4 That the amount of the several penalties imposed by the foregoing provisions shall be in liens on the vessels violating those provisions, and such vessels shall be libeled therefor in any Circuit or District Court \ the United States where such vessel shall arrive. Sec. 5. That nothing herein contained shall be held to iepeal or modify any law forbidding the importation of coolies, or of females for immoral purposes, into the United States: provided, no Consul or Consular Agent of'the United States, residing at any port from which any vessel taking Chinese passengers may take her departure, shall grant the certificate provided for in section 2,1620 f the Revised Statutes for raore than fifteen Chinese passengers in any one vessel. Sec. 6. That tins act shall not apply to persons officially connected with the Chinese Govern mint or any embassy thereof, or to persons rescued from shipwreck during the voyage of aud by a vessel bringing the same within the jurisdiction of the United States, or to the master of any vessel seeking a harbor in stress of weather, or to persons who may only seek temporary residence for educational purposes and who shall have a certificate from the Chinese Government for that purnose. Sec. 7. That this act shall take effect from and after the Ist of July, 1879, and the President of the United States shall immediately, on the approval of this act, give notice to the Government of China of the abrogation of articles 5 and 6of the additional articles of the treaty of June 18, 1858, between the United States and China, proclaimed Feb. 5, 1870, commonly called the Burlingame treaty.

The Bedouins of America.

The Apaches, who have given us so much trouble—though not near so much, probably, as we have given them—still claim to number, with all their tribes, from 8,000 to 10,000. When the Spaniards, in their search for gold in the high lands of what is now New Mexico, first met these Indians they found them proud and independent, though harmless and even kindly. Wronged and outraged, the Apaches at last retaliated, and the Spaniards were never able to conquer them. To this day they hurl defiance at all government and civilization. They are the Bedouins of this continent, and are all mounted on small ponies capable of great endurance. These savages, fierce and untamed as they are, do not scalp their enemies. They are fond of smoking and of cards, and when idle have a strange, monotonous chant. In battle they keep theii ponies in motion, and are themselves always changing position. They seem to be Monotheists, and Montezeuma, or the spirit of God, is blended in their mind with some sort of religious aspiration. They have a superstitious regard for the eagle and owl, and will not kill or eat the bear or the hog. Rattlesnakes they dread, imagining them to be evil spirits. They never cultivate the soil; live principally by plunder, and are in the main ill-formed, emaciated, and miserable in appearance.

The Flying-Trapeze Act.

Marie Azurine and Frank Monroe, with Fanchon’s Parisian Folly Troupe, were performing a trapeze act at the Theater Comique in Detroit, when the woman met with a terrible accident. She was swinging through the air, preparatory to leaping to the grasp of her partner, who hung head down from the proscenium, and, wnen at the greatest altitude of her flight, she was seized with vertigo, her hands released the grasp of the bar, and she fell head downward thirty feet, striking on an orchestra chair and thence rolling down to the floor unconscious. The result was a broken collar-bone, three ribs fractured,

“A Firm Adherence to Correct Principles.”

and internal injuries. Her recovery is improbable. She was a superbly formed woman, weighing about 150 pounds, and 25 years of age

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

Monday, Feb. 10.—Senate.—The Senate did not meet until 2pm., and then proceeded with the consideration of the special order, the drainage bill. After discussion, the bill was again made a special order and its further consideration set down for next Monday, and the Senate adjourned without transacting any other business. House. —The House was in session this morning, and bills were introduced: Providing that voter s art, the general election in 1880 shall vote yes or no on the proposition to call a Constitutional Convention, and if a majority be in favor then it shall be called, and delegates shall be elected to such convention; regulating fees and salaries of State officers; regulating sale of lands forfeited to the school fund; to secure to colored children the same school privileges as white; providing for organization of agricultural societies; limiting fines for contempt to SSOO, and a number of others of little importance... .-The re ainder of the session was taken up in reading bills a second time... .This body was only in session a few minutes iq, the afternoon, no quorum being present Tuesday, Feb. 11.—Senate. —The Senate settled down to business and disposed of fourteen bills which were up on second reading. Of these four were passed to a third reading.... A resolution was laid on the table authorizing an investigation into the charges made by the Indianapolis Journal, against D. D. Dale, principal Secretary of the Senate... .The remainder of the session was taken up in discussing a motion to indefinitely postpone an act providing for voluntary assignments. House.—The morning session of the House was taken up in receiving committee reports and acting on them. Among the most important ordeied to a third reading are the following: Requiring County Commissioners to appoint inspectors of elections from the party having a majority in the precinct; making it unlawful to insert a provision for attorney’s fees; forfeiting rights of a foreign corporation as a punishment for removing cases to the Federal courts.., .The Committee on Election reported unanimously in favor of Robert W. Meirs, the sitting member from Monroe county, holding that the office of Prosecuting Attorney, which he held at the time of his election, is not a judicial office, and therefore did not disqualify him from being elected to the Legislature... .Mr. Gordon introduced a bill regulating the boarding of prisoners by the Sheriffs in counties of 30,000. They are allowed 30 cents a day for each prisoner, and in smaller counties 40 cents... .During the day thirty bills were passed to a third reading. Wednesday,Feb. 12.—Senate.—Bills passed Legalizing the acknowledgement of certain instruments, where the commission of the notary taking the same has expired; defining the crime of grave-robbing, and prescribing the punishment therefor; providing subjects for anatomical dissection; permitting either party to a civil suit to render instructions before argument, and if the court agrees to give the same then the party may read them to the jury as the law of the case/allowing but one change of venue in preliminary examinations; making Jefferson and Switzerland counties the Fifth judicial circuit; permitting cities and towns to abolish the office of City Assessor; abolishing the office of Town Treasurer, and providing for the election of Town Marshal... .Bills introduced: To admit incurably insane persons into the asylum; amending the Raihoad Aid law: to create a board to audit claims between the State ani counties growing out of the late war; to create a State Board of Charities. House.—The following bills were reported favorably on: Creating a Bureau of Statistics; amending the School law; to enable Boards of Trustees of cities of 3,000 or more inhabitants to establish a school for special paupers; to encourage the growing of forest trees, and to prevent the sale of adulterated fertilizers; to permit the arrest of boys who should be in school, but are staying away.., .The claim of Benton county for prosecuting the murderer of Wm. 8. Morgan, in 1865, was indefinitely postponed.... Mr. Compton’s Mining bill, and the bill repealing the Railroad Aid law, were passed... .Delayed statements of expenditures of benevolent institutions for the past two years were received .... Bills were ordered engrossed: Making householders competent grand jurors, supervisors and witnesses when trespassing animals are taken up; reducing salaries of Circuitjudges to $ 1,500 per year. Thursday, Feb. 13.—Senate.—Bills passed: To fix the time of holding court in the Second judicial circuit; legalizing the acts of the City Council.of Logansport in annexing certain territory... .The resolutions to investigate the charges against D. I). Dale, principal Secretary, made by the citizens of White county, growing out of transactions of his while Clerk of that county, were taken up. After considerable debate; the resolutions were withdrawn.... A number of committee reports and petitions were received and placed on file... .After much discussion the apportionment bills were made the special order for next Tuesday.... The Committee on Fees and Salaries ’were instructed to report a bill on the subject of fees and salaries... .The Finance Committee were instructed to report a bill for the reapr-raisenient of real estate next April.

House.—The bills rogulat’ng the running a large of animals, authorizing farmers’ insurance companies, prescribing what kind of judg ments shall be rendered in suits to recover damages for injury to trees, and for tbe protection of sheep were reported t'avorab y and ordered engr ssed....The claims of the city of Indianapolis for money paid out on account of the railroad strike of 1877, and of parties to whom interest is due on account of the indebtedness of the Southern prison, were presented... .The Attorney General reported that the State’s lien on the State fur-ground for money loaned to the State Board of Agriculture was junior to a lien of $60,000 on the same property.... .The House Legislative 2\.p, ortionment bill' was then taken up, and, under the operations of the pi evious question, was passed by a strict party vote—so to 38.... The bill prohibiting appeals from Justices where the judgment does not exceed S2O was passed. Friday, Feb. 14.—Senate.—But very little business was transacted by the Senate, nearly the whole day being spent in debate on the bill regulating voluntary assignments. The biM met with much oppposition on the part of some Senators, thev arguing that, being nothing more than a voluntary-bankruptcy act. it is unconstitutional, as Congress is the only power that can pass such a law. It was also objected to because it is in many respects unjust to the creditor, and shows too much leniency to the insolvent., and gives dishonest men opportunities to avoid paying their debts. The bill wa? finally engrossed... .The House Apportionment bill was read a first time, and made the special crder for Tuesday. House.—The House followed the example of the Senate, and occupied the entire session in discussing the subject of fees and salaries of county officers. Saturday, Feb. 15.—Senate—The Senate took up bills on second reading, and the following were disposed of: The bills exempting the wages of laborers from garnishment in certain cases; enabling boards of commissioners to dispose of uncalled-for allowances, when the same have remained for a period of five years; providing for the election and appointment of Supervisors of Highways; amending the act to enable the owners of wet lands to drain arid-re-claim them were ordered engrossed... .The bills to reduce the fees and salaries of county officers, and for the protection of executions were indefinitely postponed.... Mr. Winterbotham’s bill for the government and discipline of the State prison was recommitted to a special committee Bills were introduced : Amending the Gravel Hoad iaw; to prevent live stock from running at large: amending the School law and regulating the practice in Circuit Courts in certain matters. House.—Bills were introduced: Authorizing County Treasurers to perform the duties of City Treasurers, providing for examining and licensing engineers; authorizing notaries to solemnize marriages; authorizing extra allowances to prosecuting attorneys in certain counties. and repealing the act creating building and savings associations... .The bills to establish a State militia and regulating the practice of medicine were reported favtrably on and ordered engrossed... .The Snpei - intendant of Public Instruction reported a bill embodying the school laws as codified by him in accordance with a resolution of the last General Assembly.... Mr. Mayers offered a resolution asking Congress to issue sufficient treasury notes to pay the pensions authorized bv the arrearage pension bills. Referred to the Committee on Federal Relations.

CROPS AND PRICES.

Some Statistics of Interest to Farmers and Stock-Growers. The Commissioner of Agriculture at Washington has issued a pamphlet on the condition of the crops. The following are extracts: Corn. —The crop of corn of 1877 was the largest ever raised in this country up to that date, having been 1,342,000,000 bushels, valued at $480,643,000. The crop of 1878 exceeded it in bushels, but the over-production brought the price much lower, and the crop, which was 1,371,000,000 bushels, is only valued at $436,800,000. The lowest State averages are in lowa and Nebraska, both of which States increased their products very largely, too great for home consumption, and too remote from leading markets; the price has fallen to about one-half what it was in 1876. The States showing the highest average price are the Gulf States, from Georgia to Texas, where the consumption fully equals the crop, and where the prices are less than those of last year. The price per bushel, returned December, 1878, was 31.9; in 1877, 35.8 cents. Wheat.— The average price of wheat for the year 1876 was $1.04 per bushel; for the year 1877, stimulated by war in Europe, the increased crop was worth $1.08; but for the year 1878, an increase of upward of 50,000,000 bushels, the price had fallen to 78 cents per bushel, on Dec. 1, 1878. The crop of 1878, which amounts to 422,000,000 bushels, is worth only $329,000,000; while the crop of 1877, which was 365,000,000 bushels, was worth $394,000,000. Prices of Wheat Abroad. — In the case of wheat, the price is greatly influenced by the European demand. For the year ending June 30, 1878, it was found that we exported 92,000,000 bushels of wheat (flour included), about 25 per cent of our whole crop. From estimates published by the Board of Trade and the Mark Lane Express, of England, it is estimated that the supply of England will be short 13,000,000 quarters, equal to 107,000,000 bushels, leaving that amount to import. Last year the amount imported was 15,000,000 quarters, or 123,000,000 bushels. This supply was mainly drawn from the United States and will be so this year. From estimates in France, published in the Bulletin des Halles, the wheatcrop of 1878 is placed at 82,500,000 hectoliters, or 230,000,000 bushels, being 20,000,000 hectoliters, or 56,000,000 bushels, less than that of 1877, which was a poor crop. The amount imported into France in 1877-’7B was 22,000,000; the amount needed this year must approximate 70,000,000 bushels. The same bulletin, estimating the sources of supply abroad, says: “The utmost surplus from Russia for export will be 50,000,000 bushels; from Hungary, 17,000,000; and the only other source of supply of any importance is the United States.” Prices of Wheat for Five Years The following statement of prices in some of the prominent wheat-growing States since 1874 will fairly illustrate the range of prices in those years: States. 1874. 1875. 1876. 1877. 1878. Ohio $1.04 sl.o*l $1.14 $1.21 $0.86 Michigan 1.08 1.15 1.16 1.23 85 Indiana 94 97 1.02 1.13 81 Illinois 86 91 93 1.04 75 Wisconsin 83 91 1.01 93 67 Minnesota 70 86 90 91 51 lowa 65 71 90 87 50 Missouri 83 95 89 1.00 67 Kansas B'4 87 86 82 69 Nebraska 60 64 73 63 49 Potatoes.— Frem returns made in December, 1878, we find the average price of potatoes to be 58.8 cents per bushel. With a crop almost identical with that of 1876, we have a price much lower per bushel, and a total value of $10,000,000 less than that year. "With a crop some 46,000,000 bushels less than last year, the total value does not equal that of the excessive yield of 1877. The following is a table of product, price per bushel, and total value for the last four years: Price Per Year. Product. Bushel. Value. 1875 166.876,900 '88.9 $65,019,900 1876 124.800,000 65.5 83,860,000 1877 170.(19-2.(00 44.8 76,249,<100 1878 124,027,(00 54.8 73,(00,000 How a Big Estate Was Divided by Lot. Mention was. made recently of the lottery scheme for the partition of lands between heirs, and it was supposed that the division of the Bailey estate was made in this way for the first time in this State. It appears, however, that one of the largest estates in Missouri was partitioned in 1863-4, under the direction of Mr. Britton A. Hill, counselor for the estate of Peter Lindell, the real estate whereof was valued at about $6,000,000. There were ten heirs, each one being entitled to onetenth of the whole estate. By virtue of a contract executed for that purpose between the heirs, the city and country lots, comprising the whole estate, were accurately surveyed, numbered and platted by W. H. Cozzens, Esq., and each lot was appraised by Commissioners Charles K. Dickson, James T. Sweringen and Charles H. Peck. They then divided the lots into ten equal shares, and each share was bound with its plats and streets and descriptive calls. On the day of the allotment in 1864, the heirs met in the unfinished room in the second story at the southeast corner of the first Lindell Hotel. The ten numbers of the shares were written on the respective shares from one to ten by the counselor, the ten numbers were written on ten square pieces of paper and placed in a hat; the names of the ten heirs were written on ten other square pieces of paper and placed in another hat. Neither one of the heirs knew the contents of either one of the bound volumes containing the several shares. When all was ready, a crippled boy beggar, passing on Washington avenue, was called in, blindfolded under protest, and directed to draw one paper from each hat, thus designating the name of the heir and the number of the share, and to con* tinue until the drawing of lots was completed. The blindfolded boy was released, and bright tears glistened in his eyes as ten golden half-eagles were dropped into his hand, and he was told that he had completed the division of the great Lindell estate to the satisfaction of all the heirs then present.— St. Louis Globe Democrat.

Roman Catholic Figures.

“ Sadler’s Catholic Directory ” re" ports for the United States, 1 Cardinal, 11 Archbishops, 52 Bishops, 5,750 priests, 5,589 churches, 78 colleges, 577 academies, nearly 2,000 parochial schools, 345 charitable institutions, and a Catholic population of 6,375,000. In 1808 there were only 80 churches; in 1830 there were 230; in 1840, 454; in 1850,1,073; in 1860, 2,385; in 1870, 3,995. The Tablet says more churches were admit-

ted in 1878 than there were in the whole country in 1845, when there were 675. That paper also remarks of the statistics that they “ are not always as clear as might be desired. In some dioceses chapels are counted with churches; in others with stations, which seems a less accurate way; in some cases where a theological seminary and college are combined, as at Emittsburg, the institution will be returned as a college, and not as a seminary also; in some returns scholasticates and houses of study of religous orders are included under seminaries, while others do not reckon them under this head.”

English and American Locomotives.

The Englishman seems never to be able to escape the influence of his surroundings. Though he occupies a part of every continent, his methods are seldom continental. This is aptly illustrated in his railroad building. His island is small and densely populated, his roads short, and the traffic heavy. Naturally the roads are of the best. Every valley is by viaducts or bridges, every hill pinfeed with deep outs or costly tunnels. ’She early railroad men had an impression that a railroad must be as nearly straight as possible, and as level as labor and money could make it. Later English builders followed these ideas closely, and the final result is magnificent in every sense. The roads are the best known, and make fit ways for the splendid engines designed to run upon them. But all this is insular. When the Englishman tried continental railroading, as in Canada and in Australia, he built on insular plans, and the result has not been wholly happy. It is to the American we must turn to learn what aie the requirements of the modern railway, and to get some suggestion of its future. More than this, the moment the English locomotive is taken from its island line it exhibits defects and a certain want of pliability that completely unfit it for a continental railway. But, if the English road and the English engine are the best in the world, why are they not the best for the world ? Simply because they do not pay. There can be no higher reason than this. Anything that does not pay is useless, because it does not meet a human want." The excuse of the railroad and its train is that it moves men and things cheaply. The cost of any operation is the measure of its value to human beings, and, if the road does not pay, of what good is it? Now a railway, to be cheap, must follow the face of the country. That is, the line must go up and down hill, pass around abrupt curves, according to the lay of the land, and without much attempt at a straight line or level bed. It is upon tills idea that American railroads have been built, and all continental lines are likely to be built in the future. If a railroad can thus follow the face of the country, it will not cost so much, there being no high bridges, deep cuts and tunnels. Of course there is a limit in this direction, and even the American engine cannot climb up the side of a house, or turn a right angle in its own length; but within certain broad limits it may bo said that the future locomotive must follow fines that run up hill and down dale, and get round very remarkable corners. This being the case, what of the English locomotive ? Can it travel in safety over crooked lines that wander in astonishing freedom over hill and dale through all the sinuous lines of a winding river valley ? There is no need to say it ought, or it may, for it never did. It has been tried again and again, and the end of all is, the engine is in the ditch, and the unhappy stockholders are clamoring for American engines, or at least engines built on American plans. —Charles Barnard, in Harper’s Magazine'for March.

The Afghans.

The Afghans are tall, of large and well-knit frames, muscular and hardy. Their strong, heavy features and dark skins give them a fierce expression of countenance; their black eyes—“their lids tinged with antimony to add force, beauty and dazzling brilliancy to them ” —are full of fire, so that their swift, bold and flaming glance is very impressive. They wear their hair shaved from the forehead to the top of the head, the rest falli r g in black thick masses to the shoulders. The dress oi the people is of cotton, or of cloth called barek, made of camel’s-hair, and is worn in two long and very full robes, the material used by the wealthy classes being of silk or cashmere; blue or white turbans and slippers complete the costume. The garments of the young chiefs are often quite gay with gold-lace or goldthread embroidery. This ornamentation is done by the women in the harems, who are very skillful with the needle. The beauty of young Afghans is frequently spoken of by Eastern writers, but it would seem from the nature of things as though this glowing description must be overdrawn; just as the handsome, pensive young Uncas of our well-beloved West Indian romancer, James Fenimore Cooper, can hardly be recognized in the modern Modoc. Still, abundant testimony claims a dark and hardy beauty for the Afghan in his prime.— Z. B. Gustafson, in Harper’s Magazine for March.

The Plague-Stricken Territory.

The direction taken by the Russian epidemic makes the blow doubly severe, several of the chief commercial centers in Eastern Russia being among the nowquarantined towns on the Lower Volga. Saratoff, about 400 miles above Astrakhan, is a perfect nest of factories, being, indeed, the Manchester of the Eastern provinces. Samara, on the easternmost bend of the river, a little higher up, is the center of the fastgrowing traue in “kumyss,” or fermented mare’s milk, so largely used for medicinal purposes. The traffic of Astrakhan itself, in furs and stuffs of every kind, is too well known to require demonstration, while the cluster of German colonies in the Sarepta district are equally productive on a smaller scale. That the Government fully appreciates the value of the Volga trade is shown by the immense cost and labor expended qpon the new railways which have lately united Saratoff and Tsaritzin with the network of lines centering in Moscow. The outbreak of such a pestilence only five or six weeks before the opening of the river navigation, and so near the end of the cold weather, which is usually found to be its surest antidote, is undoubtedly a very serious calamity

$1.50 ner Annum.

NUMBER 2.

ZULU LAND.

The British Disaster in South Africa. The disaster to the British expedition against the Zulu Kaffirs in South Africa will have the same effect on the hostile tribes on the northern borders of Cape Colony and Natal as would a disaster to our own troops on the Indian frontier have on the hostile Indians. Since 1811 there have been six wars against the Kaffirs, each one settling some new issue with the natives in and north of Cape Colony. The present war had its origin in the complications growing out of the war in 1877, in which the English espoused the cause of the Fingoes against the Galekas, an independent tribe. This war closed in June, 1878, but in the meantime new difficulties arose with the Zulu Kaffirs on the northern borders of the Transvaal Republic. This territory was annexed to the British colonies in 1877, and the claim of the Zulus to the land on Blood river was disputed in the new settlement of affairs. The new Zulu King protested; and, when the war of 1878 closed, it was discovered that he had endeavored, or was endeavoring, to form an alliance with the independent chief Secocoem in Pretoria, and was making arrangements to hold the lands in dispute. Lord Chelmsford, the officer in command of the native and British forces, massed his army for a campaign against the Zulus. Sir Bartie Frere, Governor of the South African colonies, had meanwhile dispatched an ultimatum to Cettewayo. the Zulu King, recognizing the justice of the Zulus’ claims to the disputed territory, but insisting on compensation for farmers who had to leave it through fear of Cetewayo, the payment of fines and surrender of certain chiefs engaged in outrages, the disbanding of the Zulu army, the establishment of a British Resident in Zululand with much power, a fair trial for all offenders, permission for missionaries to return to the country, and the freedom of Zulus to marry on coming of age. (A Zulu cannot marry under 40.) A month was given the King to make up his mind, and he promptly refused to assent to the conditions. The Zulu King had disbanded his army in December, and had ordered compensation made to settlers, but the conditions as to missionaries and change in marriage customs seems to have provoked his resentment. His reply should have been received before Jan. 11; but, as it was not, war was declared, and the British troops and native auxiliaries advanced. Cetewayo, the Zulu King, is reported the most powerful African monarch south of the equator. He roles over 10,000 square miles of territory and 300,000 people. He has an army of 40,000 men armed with breech-loading rifles, and to some of the regiments are attached batteries of artillery. The frontier corps, directly opposite to the British, was about 10,000 strong, but this could be easily reinforced. Against the Zulu army the British authorities sent an army of 15,000 men, one-third of whom W’ere British regulars. A Battle with a Tarantula in Texas. The tarantula is the desperado of the spider family; it frequently attains the size of the hand; and, with its great, glaring, black eyes and frightful claws, seldom fails to present an appearance so formidable that a sensitive lady, even if used to seeing the tarantula, will scream at the sight. The tarantula is, in fact, only a big spider, and usually makes his home in the open prairie, dwelling with his family in a nest concealed beneath the tall grass. If you tackle him in his retreat you will very soon repent your temerity, for he springs at you like a tiger, jumping to an astonishing height—sometimes three or four feet. He is one of the most poisonous of the family of the arachnae, and his bite is said to be nore fatal than that of the rattlesnake. In a settlement called Grapevine Prairie, near Fort Worth, some time ago, the sen of a farmer named Featherstone was one day occupied gathering rocks on the roadside. Upon overturning a large flat rock he was suddenly confronted by a large tarantula, the size of a man’s hand, snugly ensconced in his nest along with a number of young tarantulas. The big one was yellow and black-striped, and displayed the same inimitable color that nature bestows on the “ beautiful snake.” Seizing a large stick, Master Featherstone attacked the enemy in his stronghold, and was met with an unexpected resistance. He succeeded in breaking off one leg, or rather claw, of the devil-fish of dry land, but the tarantula, enraged, sprung upon the aggressor, and, quick as thought, with ids great black eyes glittering with fiendish ferocity, fastened himself on the boy’s hand and arm. Before he could be dislodged the tarantula had inflicted two probably fatal bites on the hand and arm, both of which subsequently swelled to three times their natural size—so virulent is the poison of this desperado of the prairies. The boy, however, succeeded in killing the tarantula.— St. Louis GlobeDemocrat.

Free-Masons.

The following statistics of the number of lodges of Free-Masons which existed at the end of last year will be read with interest: In Germany there were 342 lodges; in Switzerland, 33; Hungary, 44; Roumania, 11; Servia, 1; England and Wales, 1,187; Scotland, 334; Ireland, 299; Gibraltar, 5; Malta, 4; Holland and Luxemburg, 46; Belgium, 15; Denmark, 7; Sweden and Norway, 18; France, 287; Spain, about 300; Portugal, 22; Italy, 110; Greece, 11; Turkey, 26; Egypt, 28; Tunis, 2; Algeria, 11; Morocco, 2; the West Coast of Africa, 11; African islands, 25; the Cape, 61; Arabia (Aden), 1; India, 118; Indian islands, 16; China, 13; Japan. 5; Australian islands, 4; Australia, 229; New Zealand, 84; United States, 8,894; Canada, 535; Cuba, 30; Hayti, 32; West India islands, 65; Mexico, 13; Brazil, 256; and other States in South America, 179—a total of about 15,000 lodges. The number of Free-Masons is about 5,000,000.

How Chicago Got Its Name.

John Jenkins, of Momence, 111., whose father was the first white man that raised a crop of corn in Cass county, Mich., and who avers that when a boy he was as familiar with the Indian language as with his own, says that the usual definition given to the word “Chicago” is entirely erroneous. Fortyfive years ago the place was called Tuck Chicago, “ tuck” meaning wood or timber, and Chicago signifying gone, absent, without. Tuck Chicago, therefore, literally meant “ timber goqe,”—-iouis-ville Courier-Jowrrwl, “

gemorrafif JOB PRIHTIHG OFFICE Baa bettar tacOttiea than any office in Worthweatei* Indiana for the execution of all branchaa of aFOS PRINT ING. PROMPTNESS A SPECIALTY. Anything, from a Dodger to a Price-List, or from a Pamphlet to a Poster, black or colored, plain or fancy. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED.

AT THE GARDEN-GATE. They lingered at the garden-gate— The moon was full above; He took her dxrling hand in his, The trembling little dove, And pressed it to his fervent lips And softly told his love. About her waist he placed his arm; He caUed her all his own; His heart, he said it ever beat For her, and her alone; And he was happier than a King Upon a golden throne. “ Come weal come woe." in ardent tones This youth continued he. “ As is the needle to the pole, So I will constant be: No power oa earth .hall tear thee, love, Away, I swear, from me 1" From out the chairber-window popped A grizzly, night-capped head; A hoarse voice yelled. "You, Susan Jane, Come in and go to bed! ’’ And that was all-it was enough— The young man wildly fled. —llurper'6 Bazar.

WIT AND HUMOR.

Striking objects —Clocks. News of the weak—Hospital reports. People of settled convictions—Prisoners. The first duty on T—Don’t forget to cross it. Suitable dower for a widow—A widower. The article chiefly sold at most fancy fairs—The visitor. Men whose business drives them to the wall—Billposters. Talmage says smoking leads to drinking. So does the salt codfish. A West India hurricane is the ill wind that blows nobody good. The Hindoo widow is the only one that cremates —the other remates. When ought mariners to have fruit at sea? When they stem the currents. Beer may not make you fat, but an overdose will make you lean —up against something. Never step on a dog’s tail, unless the other end of the dog is a mile away from the tail. If you want to find out about the peculiarities of geese, consult the best natural hiss stories. What order of merit would the Queen remind you of if she were in bad humor? Victoria cross. Sherry is the name of a much-re-spected Lynn shoemaker. Probably the original Sherry, cobbler. When a man presents himself before a public audience, it often happens that his body is inclined to sink while his head swims. A clock is being exhibited at Paris which fires a shot every hour. Somebody says that its great practical utility is “to kill time.” Aunt Florence —“ And can you read yet, Ruth 0 ” Ruth—“l should think so, indeed! and I know geography, and history, and sums, and I’ve got two second teeth.” Many a man has been known to get rich by buying sixteen ounces to the pound, and selling twelve. It is a poor role won’t work both weighs, they think. The inhabitants of Madagascar are dying to get hold of an American shipCaptain who has sold them 10,000 quart cans of tomatoes as a new kind of gunpowder. A boy, at a recent examination in an • English school, was asked who discovered America. “I wish I may die,” says a British editor, “if he didn’t answer—- ‘ Yankee Doodle! ’ ” Sprightly young lady—“l am afraid I have a very large foot.” Polite shopman—“Large, miss! Oh dear no, miss’. We have lots of gents—that is, customers—with much larger, miss.” “Oh, yes,” she said, “ I’m very fond of little boys;” and, as she tripped on a string stretched across the pavement, she added: “ I feel as if I could eat a couple of ’em this minute, raw.” At St. Anne’s Sunday-school in Lowell, Mass.,in answer to the question : “What is the greatest church festival?” a little orphan, of 6 years, promptly responded, “ The strawberry festival.” “ His acts made him immortal, and he lives more than ever,” was the way the minister said it at the funeral; but the compositor got it, “ His acts made him immoral, and he lies worse than ever.” The editor of the Hackensack Republican went to call on his girl, when he saw on the steps a sign which said, “Beware of paint.” He went away sighing, “I never before knew that she painted.” Cynical swell—“ Enjoying yourself, I see, doctor; profiting by the opportunity.” Cynical doctor —“ What! among such a set of people? I’d have a more enjoyable opportunity of profiting myself if I were among my patients.” “Tom,” said a man to his friend, the other day, “I think it is highly dangerous to keep the bills of small banks on hand now-a-days.” “Tim,” answered the other, “I find it more difficult than dangerous.”

what’s HIB NAME? “ What makes your lips so awful sore’ ” Asked Sarah’s cross-eyed pap: And -arah to the old man said: “ It’s caused by a small chap.” Then Sarah's youngest brother. As yet unknown to fame. Looked Sarah in the eyes and asked: “ What is the small chap's name? ” Bio corns grow in little boots. He pays dear for “ the dust ” who licks it off shoes. If your purse contains no money, Fill your mouth with stolen honey. He who hides may find a hider. Smell a pine and pass it by. You’ll want a pine before you die. A horse in the four-in hand isworthtwo in the’bus. The waiter often puts the carte before the ass. A POEM OF PLACES. “Now,’’ in a Chili tone she said, “I will be Frank; 'tis true. Although you Arab brilliant catch, I do not Cass re you! ” “<) lady, Dane to hear my suit. This heart is Scot by thee;” “Nay, sir, I cannot heed your words. For you ATnaut to me! ” “ 'Tis Welsh,” she added freezingly, “-ince Siam pressed so far. To Hindoo you no longer here, And so, good sir, Tartar! ” “WTiat Ottoman like me to do?” Bewailed the stricken man; “I'll Finnish up my mad career And wed the Oanicau! ”

State Debts.

The latest statistics show that the debts of the States of the Union amount in the aggregate to $345,197,000. Massachusetts takes the lead, and is followed in a descending scale by Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Louisiana, each of which owes more than $20,000,000. West Virginia, Missouri, Georgia and Arkansas owe materially less, although the amount is over $10,000,000 each, while all the other States fall behind the latter figures. Many municipal debts exceed the State debts.