Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1874 — EPITOME OF THE WEEK. [ARTICLE]

EPITOME OF THE WEEK.

Condensed from Telegrams of Accompanying Dates. Friday, December 19.— Minister Sickles announces to the Secretary of State at Washington the conciliation of the conflicting interests in the Spanish Cortes, and the establishment of the Castelar Government... .Twothirds of the business portion of Hudsonville, 111., was destroyed by fire on the night of the 18th. Loss about $50,000, with little or no insurance.... Both houses of the California Legislature vote for Senator for the long term. Op the 17th the ballot resulted: Farley (Dera.), 41; Booth (Ind.), 57; Shafter (Rep.), 21. On the 18th another Joint ballot was had, with exactly the same result' except that one of tho members who voted for Booth was absent... .The Illinois Farmers’ Association adjourned on the 18th after adopting a Constitution and resolutions declaring that every American voter should do all in his power to secure the election of honest and competent men to office; that farmers are absolved from all allegianoe to tho old political parties; that therepeal of the salary-grab law should be retroactive; that large salaries arc antagonistic to republican principles; that the civil service should be reformed;- they favor improving the navigation of lakes and rivers; oppose a protective tariff; depreeftte the system of subsidies; favor a legal-tender currency issued directly by the Government, and interchangeable for bonds bearing the lowest possible rate of interest; demand the revision of the patent laws; insist upon biennial sessions of the Legislature; assert the right of the State Legislature to legislate for the control of railroads and oppose any attempt of Congress to exercise such control; condemn the practice of public officials in receiving free passes from raibvay managers; demand a reduction of taxation; declare that “since a large number of plow manufacturers of tho West have thrown down the gauntlet we take it up, and recommend the farmers of this State to patronise none of the said manufacturers until they will sell to us direct at wholesale rates.” The election for officers resulted in the choice of W. C. Flagg, President; 8. M. Smith, Secretary; and J. H. Pickrell, Treasurer.... The State Grauge of Wisconsin will meet at Janesville, January 20. Saturday, December 20.—Dispatches from the Gold Coast announce that the King of Dahomey has Joined tho Ashantees. The fever continues among the British troops, and 100 invalids have been sent to St. Helena The French Assembly has passed a bill increasing the salary of President MacMahon. ....It is reported in Havana that a Btearner named the Santiago de Cuba has succeeded In landing a filibustering, expedition on the southern coast of Cuba, between Guantanamo and Santiago.... Our Consul. General at Havana telegraphs to Secretary Fish that the Captain General has informed him that the Ylrginius prisoners were on the 18th delivered to the commander of the Juniata....Pcrteet (colored) a Chicago wife murderer, was hanged at Joliet on the 19th. Monday, December 22.—8 y the recent capsizing of a ferry-boat on the Thames, at London, thirteen persons were drowned.... The Post-office Department estimates that 120,800,000 postal cards will be used during tho next year, at a cost to the Government of $1.39% per. thousand Au elaborate petition has been presented to Congress, usking that Abraham Lincoln's birthday, February 12, be set apart as a national holiday.... By the deed of endowment of the school at Peuikese Island, given by Mr. Anderson, Professor Agassiz had the right to select his successor as President, and he chose his son, Alexander Agassiz.... The time for holding the next annual State Fair of Michigan has been changed from September 21 to September 14, 1874.... The annual report of the State Superintended of Schools in Nebraska, shows 63,108 scholars in the State.... The recent State Grange of adopted a resolution that all members purchasing agents of the order are instructed not to purchase any machinery of the plow manufacturing firms entering into the agreement of October last, or of their ageuts, or of the manufacturers and dealers in any Other farming implements who may open a like warfare upon the farming interests of the State. .... The California Legislature, in Joint convention on the 20th, elected Governor Booth to the United States Senate for the long term. The vote stood: Farley (Dem.), 38; Booth (Irid.), 61; Shatter (Rep.), 20.... An immense mass meeting of the workingmen wag held in Chicago on the evening of the 21st, at which resolutions were adopted demanding that theclly should furnish them with work or aid through the winter. Tuesday, December 23.—A dispatch from Pouang announces that the Dutch troops have occupied both banks of the river running through Acheen, and the Sultan, seeing defeat, inevitable, has given in his submission to the Dutch commander.,.. It is reported from Bau Domingo General Ignnces Bousnli s has been elected President of the Dominican Republic, and It is announced that the new administration will probably endeavor to annul the Samana Bay lease,... Harry Genet, a convicted member of the Tweed “ring” In New York, was to have been sentenced on the 22d, but ths Deputy Sheriff who had him in charge had the day before permitted him to visit his family, and he has not been seen since. A reward of $5,000 is offered for his recapture. An order was given by the court on the 20th for the confinement of Genet in the Tombs until sentence had been pronounced, which order was entirely Ignored by the Sheriff....Ths California Legislature on the 23d Toted for Senator for the Bhort term, as follows: Hager, 44; Shatter, 22; Cole, 8; Haight, 15; Phelps, 7. Seven members were absent. No election. Wednesday, December 24th.— A Berlin special says rumors are in circulation there that the Emperor William is dead, which rumors are undoubtedly false, though it is certain that His Majesty is'Mfery ill Thv London Times alluding to the report that Spain has made a denftnd upon the United States for the restoration of the steamship Virgtaius and the survivors who were surrendered at Santiago de Cuba, says: “Such action on the part of Spain would b« premature, despite the opinion of the Attorney-General of the United States that the Virginiua had no right to carry the American flag. Spain must wait until a United States Court has settled the case of the yeseel before proceeding farther In the mat-

ter.”....A Washington Associated Press dispatch says: “It is now quite certain that if the estimates are reduced, as proposed, and other contemplated reductions in Federal expenses are made, increased taxation will not be necessary. Secretary Richardson favors the abolition of the sinking fund for on* year, or until the revenues increase. This would give about $30,000,000 to the Treasury, Which, together with the reduction in the estimates, will be money enough without resorting to increased taxation.”.... The California ’Legislature has elected Judge Hager, of San Francisco, United Btatcs Senator for the short term.