Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1874 — Page 1

THE RENSSELAER UNION, Published Every Thursday by HORACE E. JAMES, JOSHUA HEALEY, FBoramoss. Office over Wood’* Hardware Store, Washington Street. Subscription, $3.00 a Tear, In Advance. JOB work; Of every kind executed to order in good ityle and at low rates.

THE LATEST NEWS.

A Desperate Conflict Between Carlists and Republicans. Heavy Battle in Cuba, Near Puerto Principe. Desperate Encounter Between Detectives and Missouri Outlaws. Incidents of the Praying Movement East and West. Terrible Steamboat Explosion on tbe Mississippi River. Dr. Livingstone’s Remains En Route For England. Continuance of the Volcanic Disturbance in Worth Carolina. Exciting Railroad Strike at Susquehanna Depot, Pa. Interesting Personal, Political and Other Intelligence. THE OLD WORLD. Ten thousand people witnessed the landing of the Highlanders from Ashantee at London on the 23d. In the French Assembly, on the 23d, a document was presented, signed by Gambetta, Ledru Rollin and other Communists, demanding the dissolution of that body. The 23d was observed as a national holiday In Italy, It being the twenty-fifth anniversary of the accession of Victor Emmanuel to the throne of Sardinia. A Madrid dispatch of the 23d says the Government contemplated the promotion of Gen. Burriel to the rank of Field Marshal for his emineut services rendered in Cuba. The steamer Calcutta, with the remains of Dr. Livingstone on board, arrived at Aden, Arabia, on the 24th. A Bayomle dispatch of the 24th says the Carlists were throwing incendiary shells into Bllboa with terrible effect. Whole streets were said to be in flames. The besiegers had captured Albia, a suburb on tlio left bank of the Nervione. A Paris special of the 24th says the French Assembly had voted to adjourn from March 28th to May 3. A Madrid dispatch of the 20th says a desperate engagement was fought on the preceding day between the Republicans and Carlists before Bilboa. The battle lasted all day, ceasing only at nightfall, when the Republican army encamped in the positions wrested from alone was 470. Marshal Serrano commanded the National forces. According to a special dispatch on the 20th the remains of Dr. Livingstone had left Aden In the mail steamer Maleva, for England. They were incased in a lead coffin and preserved to salt. A Madrid dispatch of the 27th says the battle oh the 20th between the Republicans and the Carlists lasted thirteen hours.. The latest dispatches from Serrano to the Ministry were very hopeful. Sixteen heavy - guns were in good position for an attack on the 27th. Dispatches from Carlist sources of the same date claim successes for the Carlists i* the two days’ flghtiDg. The Home Minister sold in Parliament on the 27th, in reply to an interrogatory by Mr. Anderson, that the Government had no intention of interfering to release the Fenian prisoners. In the French Assembly, on the 27th, one of the Monarchical members moved that the Assembly take a vote on the Ist day of Juiy next to decide the future form of ‘government for France. The motion caused great excitement, and a heated debate ensued. It was rejected by 380 to 260 votes. The annual race between the boat crews of Oxford and Cambridge Universities came off in London on the 28th. The Cambridge boat came in four lengths ahead. A Rome (Italy) dispatch of the 28th says that Victor Emmanuel had burned theaddresses sent to him by citizens of Trieste, which contained disloyal sentiments toward Austria. He had forwnrded a note to the Austrian Government formally disavowing any sympathy with the address. The steamer Maliva, with the remains of Dr. Livingstone, arrived off Suer., Egypt, on the night of the 28th. The French Assembly adjourned on the. the 29th until Hay 12, > » A Madrid dispatch of the 29th says that Marshal Serrano bad finally • won a victory, and that the Carlists had been driven beyond Stanta Guliana. Tbe losses in the battle on the 28th were enormous. Rivera was mortally wounded. THE NEW WORLD. The Rhode Island Democratic Btate Convention met at Providence on the 23d, and resolved to make no nominations for State officers. It appointed a State Committee and adjourned. The Pennsylvania Democratic State Central Committee have resolved to hold tbe State Convention in Pittsburgh in May. On the morning of the 23d the town of El-’ gin, IIL, was visited by a destructive conflagration, More than two squares In the business portion of the city were burned over, causing a loss of over $300,000; Insured for SIOO,OOO. The balloting In the Massachusetts Legislature for United Btates Senator on the 24th resulted as follows: House—Hoar, 68; Dawes, 61; Curtis, 63; Banks, 4; Adams, 18; Sanford 16. Senate—Dawes, 17; Curtis, 10; Hoar, 8; Adams, 3. / At the recent election for Directors of the Pennsylvania Kailway Company the following were chosen for the ensuing year: J. Edgar Thompson, Joslah Bacon, IV. Morris, John M. Kennedy, Scott, Alexander J. Derbyshire, Samuel M. Felton, Alexander Biddle, N. ParkcrfShortrldge and Henry It Phillips. A proposed “Compulsory Education” law ' bos been defeated in the Illinois Senate, v - The governor of lows has offered s reward

THE RENSSELAER UNION.

YOL. VI.

of $5,000 for the airest and conviction of the murderer of Mrs. Algol; in Clinton County, two years ago. The Northwestern Transportation Convention met at Rock Island, 111., on the 24th. Nearly 900 persous were in attendance. Mr. J. M. Allen, of Geneseo, was chosen Chairman. After several speeches were made resolutions were adopted advocating an equal Bystem of internal improvement by the Government; the construction of the canal from Hennepin to Rock Island which will connect the Mississippi with tbe lakes, and the opening of the mouth of the Mississippi by a ship canal if necessary. A committee- of thirteen, with Mr. Allen at their head, was appointed to memorialize Congress in favor of the canal, and the State of Illinois was advised to .cede the control of tho Illinois River and the Illinois & Michigan Canal as navigable highways to the Federal Government if, in return, it would assume the construction of this new water-way. The tow-boat Crescent City, from New Orleans for St. Louis, blew up at the foot of Montezuma Island, near Helena, Ark., on the morning of the 24th. Every part of the boat was blown into atoms Mid she sunk In three* minutes. The tow, consisting of seven barges, was utterly consumed. The lost were: Capt. James Dawson, Mate Henry Gessler, Pilot John Ostrander and wife, Pilot William Mundy, Watchman Dan Mattie, cabin-boy unknown and three colored firemen. In a recent fight with the Missouri outlaws, John W, Whicber, a detective who had traced the James brothers to their hiding place in Clay County, was led into the public highway and brutally murdered. On the same day three detectives encountered the Younger brothers in St. Clair County, and a shooting match followed, in which John Younger was killed and Jim Younger badly wounded in the breast. The casualties on the part of the detectives were one man killed, one seriously wounded, and one escaped. On the IBS, Gov. Woodson sent a message to the Legislature detailing tbe facts in relation to the outlaws, so far as known, and calling upon that body to appropriate money to enable him to exterminate them. The extradition treaty between the United States and Ecuador has been officially proclaimed at Washington, and is to continue in force for ten years. A Washington dispatch of the 25th says the Committee on Elections had finished the examination of the case of Pinchback against Sheridan for the seat from Louisiana, and, it was understood, would report that the record of evidence npon which both claimants rest their respective cases had not enabled the committee to decide between them. Two buildings in Mott Haven, N. Y., were destroyed by fire a few nights ago, and in one of them a Mis. Burks and her three children were burned to death. Her husband and two children escaped. A Congregational Council assembled in New York on the 24th to consider the relations of Plymouth Chureh, Brooklyn, in which Henry Ward Beecher officiates as pastor, to Congregationalism. Tho difficulty arose primarily out of what is known as .the Bcecher-Tilton scandal, and from the informal dropping of Mr. Tilton’s name from the rolls of Plymouth Church. This action on the part of that church was a cause of offense to Drs. Storrs and Buddlngton, and led to an climated correspondence.—This—council- was jcalled —to determine if ft member of a church can cease to be a member the moment he placed his foot outside tho doors. On the 25th Plymouth Church voted not to participate in the council and presented a 1 protest against any action whatever upon any issue relating to that church. Addresses were made by Drs. Storrs and Buddington advocating the withdrawal of fellowship from Plymouth Church and its pastor. The joint ballot In the Massachusetts Legislature on the 25th, for United States Senator, resulted as follows: Dawes, 87; Hoar, 82; Curtis, 74; Adams, 18; Banks, 5. Sanford, Whittier, Wendell Phillips and Bullock had one or two votes each. Tho total vote was 281. The Indians made an attack on a ranche at Scott’s Bluffs, Neb., on the 24th, killing one man and running off horses. The Sioux at Fort Laramie and tbe various Sioux agencies are reported very sullen and discontented. It was thought that, they meditated Immediate hostilities. Red Cloud and Spotted Tail were among those declared unfriendly. The prluters’ strike at New Orleans ended on the 25th, the union men resuming work on the Picayune, Republican aud Timex at sixty cents per 1,000. The Bee had a full complor ment of non-union men, and would probably retain them. A Havana dispatch of the 26th reports a heavy battle between the Spaniards and the insurgents near Puerto Principe, Cuba. The latter remained in possession of the field at night, and the killed and wounded Spaniards fell into their hands. Gold was quoted at 250 and every hour increased the premium. An unknown and rather good-looking young woman visited a fruit and liquor store -in Brooklyn, N. Y., a few days a go, and inquired of the proprietor If praying bands could use his saloon, explaining that she was a committee of one appointed to make such Inquiries. She was informed that a praying band would be subjected to no indignity, provided the services were properly conducted. Subsequently, however, to the horror of the proprietor, she appeared again at the store, and, as before unattended. It was the busiest part of the day, and many customers were In the place. Not at all abashed, though, she walked calmly through the store, and installed herself behind the bar. The astonished barkeepers pfliywl In their work, and the thirsty customers looked on in amazement. Not noticing the flutter she had occasioned, the young woman composed herself and broke out Into an earnest prajfc-, much to the edification of the crowd and to the evident discomfort of the proprietor. No one interfered with her, however. She finished her prayer, which was a long one, and walked calmly out of the place and disappeared as mysteriously as she had come, leaving the multitude agape with astonishment and the proprietor perfectly bewildered. Platt & Boyd, of New York, whose books were seized by Detective Jayne In July last, have begun a suit to recover $50,000 damages for trespass. Other and similar suits against Jayne are threatened. A number of gentlemen In New York who are really and zealously in earnest in their efforts to restore the practice of burning the dead instead of burying them are contemplating a large meeting or some other form of demonstration before the public. - . ‘ The New Jersey State Senate Has passed the Compulsory Education bill. The balloting for United States Senator by

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, APRIL 2, 1874.

the Massachusetts Legislature on the 2 suited as follows: Dawes, 92; Curtis, 74; Banks, 6; Whittier, 2; Hoar, 81; Sanford, 1; Washburn, 1. The second Indictment for perjury against David A. Gage, ex-Treasurcr of Chicago, has been quashed. The Senatorial Bribery Investigation Committee of the California State Senate has reported that no improper influences were used to secure the election of Messrs. Booth and Hagar to the United States Senate, but that Improper advances had been made to the legislators by certain persons, who acted wholly on their own authority, and with no other responsibility. The report acquits Boruck, who made the charges, of malice in the matter. A dispatch from Marion, N. C., says the shocks on Bald Mountain were more violent on the night of the 25th than at any previous time since the commencement of the volcanic disturbance. As a member of the praying league at Richmond, Ind., was about to engage In prayer on the 25th, at a saloon, the proprietor presented a bill against ber son for forty drinks. She paid the bill—s4.oo—took a receipt, and said: “-Now, friend, I shall indict thee on forty charges of selling to my son, who is - a minor.’’ In tbe Sanborn investigation case before the Ways and Means Committee at Washington, on the 27th, Sanborn’s counsel apologized for the non-attendance of his client, and said his counsel in New York had advised him not to appear before the committee prior to his trial in Brooklyn. After considerable discussion It was decided that Sanborn should be summoned to appear as a witness on the 6th of April, or earlier if his trial in Brooklyn should be previously ended. The Congregational Council in Brooklyn, N. Y., remained In secret session from the morning of the 26th until one o’clock p. m. On the 27th a letter was received from Theodore Tilton asking that he be accorded the courtesy of contributing to the official records a correct statement of the reasons for and the circumstances attending his retirement from Plymouth Church. In this letter he explicitly denies that he had ever slandered Mr. Beecher by thought, word, or deed. Resolutions embodying the sense of the were to be presented on the following day. The vote for United States Senator in the Massachusetts Legislature on the 27th was as follows : Dswes, 95 ; Hoar, 76; Curtis, 74 ; Adams, 15; Banks, 7; ex-Mayor Pierce, 2; Washburn, 1; Whittier, 1. Absent, 8. The Mayor of Cincinnati has been unanimously requested by the Common Council of that city to prohibit the women from continuing their crusade against the saloon-keep-ers. The Illinois Legislature on the 27tli voted to adjourn sine die March 31. The Ohio Senate on the 27th considered the Treasurer contested election case, and voted unanimously that George Weimer was not, and that Isaac Welsh was, elected to the office of State Traasttret. - —— Two colored men were hanged In Sumter, 8. C., on the 27th, and a white man in Abbeysvillc, all for murder. Ths Secretary of the Treasury has directed the Assistant-Treasurer at New York to sell $1,000,000 in gold each Thursday during the month of April—ss,ooo,ooo in all. Tbe fifth ballot for United States Senator was taken in the Massachusetts Legislature on the 28th. It resulted as follows: Dawes, 88; Hoar, 75; Curtis, 68; Adams, 13; Banks, 7; Whittier, Washburn and Pierce, 1 each. The whole number of votes was 254; necessary to a choice, 128. The advance sheets of Gould’s new directory of St. Louis give 114,436 names, and estimate the population of the city at 473,560. The employes in the Erie Railroad machine shops at Susquehanna Depot, Pa., recently struck for their back-pay, two months’ or more wages being due them. Much excitement existed on the 28th, the strikers to the number of 900 having forcibly taken possession of trains on the road and refused to allow them to proceed. Ninety or more engines had been disabled, and freight valued at $2,000,000 was detained on side-tracks. Mall trains were allowed to pass on without interruption. A requisition was made upon Gov. Hartranft for State militia to quell the disturbance. Over five hundred troops reached Susquehanna depot on the 29th, aud took possession Of the railroad shops. Passenger trains were allowed to move, but the strikers still detained the freight trains. A telegram, signed by a majority of the leading citizens of the place, was sent to the Governor of the State protesting against the introduction of armod troops toto the borough to be used in the Interests of a corporation against the citizens of the place, who asked nothing but their hard-earned wages due-to them from said corporation. The signers did not believe there was any such emergency as called for military interference. Gov. Hartranft responded that, however much he might as an individual sympathize with the strikers in their misfortune in not receiving their back dues, he would not, as Chief Executive of the State, neglect his duties to preserve peace and order and see to the enforcement of the laws. Certain propositions were submitted by the railroad company to the strikers, and were taken under advisement until the 30th. . In the Senate, on the 23d, a resolution was presented from the Legislature of Michigan, and referred, praying Congress to amend the Postal law so as to permit the free exchange of newspapers and their free circulation in conntiei where published.... A petition signed by 7(0 business men of New York, asking that the volume of legal tenders be fixed at $400,000,000, and favoring free banking, was presented and referred:...A resolution of the New York Cotton Exchange was presented, signed by every member thereof, proles ting against expansion ti< the currency, and asking legislation for a speedy return to specie payment... Other petitions relating to the currency question were presented....A bill was reported from the Committee on Territories, without amendment,providing for tne formation of Pembina Territory, the new Territory to constat of that portion of Dakota which lies north of the 46th parallel, embracing an area of abont 71.000 square miles. ...Mr. Sherman, from the Committee on Finance, reported a bill to provide for the redemption and reissue of United States notes and for free banking, and gave notice that on the *4lh he would offerlt as a substitute for the pending financial hill to eqnallze tbe distribution of the National Bank currency....A petition was presented aud referred of colored citizens residing In the Indian Territory, setting forth that they are deprived of their civil rights.... The hill to equalize the distribution of the currency wai taken up and further debated.... Adjourned. In the House, on the 23d, among the bills Introduced and referred were (he following: Respecting tbe law which forbids tbe payment for army supplies, etc., to persons not known to be opposed to the rebellion; for the relief of settlers on railway lands: grafting lands to Minnesota to endow an astronomical observatory and school; authorizing the Washington, Cincinnati A Bt. Louis Railway Company to extend and construct Us Hues Into the District of Colombia and through West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois toot. Louis, and a branch road from some point of it In Indiana to Chicago, and giving the guarantee of the United

OUR COUNTRY AND OUR UNION.

States on its first mortgage bonds, as sestlons of the road are completed ...Bills were passed—appropriating SIO,IOO for the expenses of the District Investigating Committee; making appropriations for the removal of the Klckapoo and other Indians from the borders of Texas and New Mexico to the Indian Territory.... The Currency bill was then taken npahd amendments, one fixing the amount of circulating notes at $366,000,000, and another at $388,000,000, were rejected, after which the bill fixing the amount at $400,000,000 was passed—yeas 168, nays 77. The text of the hill is as follows: “Whereas, the existing -uncertainly as to whether tbe amount of legaltender notes now authorized by law to be kept in general circulation is $356,000,000 or $400,000,000 is calculated to derange the business of the country and unsettle values; therefore, be it enacted, etc., that the provisions of the law existing prior to the act approved April 12, 1666, entitled ‘An act to amend an act to provide ways and means to support the Government,’ approved March 8,1865, be and the same are hereby declared to be In force so as to authorize the amount of legal-tender notes of the United States to be $400,000,000 to be kept in general circulation, and the total amount of United States notes issued or to be Issued shall never exceed $400,000,000.”....An amendment was made to the Legislative Appropriation bill, providing that no civil officers of the Government shall receive in addition to regular salary any compensation or perquisite from the Treasury or property of the United States, or shall make any private use of such property or of the labor of any person in the employment of the United States.... Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 24th, among the petitions presented and referred was one from citizens or Indiana and Kentucky, asking that the law of Congress relative to bridges over the Ohio River be so amended as to require that bridges over that river shall have 400 feet spans and pivot draw of 160 feet.... The bill to equalize the distribution of the currency was laid aside informally and the new financial bill reported by Mr. Sherman from the Committee on Finance was taken up and Mr. Sherman explained the provisions of the new bill, saying it was not a satisfactory one, as it was ia the nature of a compromise, and while it had the strength of a compromise it also had the weakness of snch a measure. The committee had reported in favor of fixing the amount of United States notes at $382,000,000, that being the amount now outstanding, but he hoped It would soon be practicable to get back to $356,000,000, and recover the ground lost by the panic. The $382,000,000 had been fixed upon, not because it was the best amount, but because it was the amount now in circulation. The time must come when these notes must be redeemed in coin, and something most be done looking to that end.... After remarks by Messrs. Ferry and Thurman the Senate went into executive session, and soon after adjourned. In the House, on the 24th, the minority resolution in the Georgia contested election case that Rawls, the sitting member, was entitled to the seat, was rejected—yeas 77, nays 133- and the majority resolutions, declaring Sloan, the contestant, entitled to the seat, were adopted—yeas 135, yeas 74, -The vote was purely a party one, except that Messrs. Banning, Fort and Shoemaker, of Pennsylvania, voted with the Democrats. Mr. Sloan then took the modified oath....A memorial was received and ordered to be printed, signed by 20,000 persons, representing the Typographical Union ana various trades and laboring societies t>f New York city, in favor of the Eight-Hour law fftid for the removal of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury... .The bill to regulate interstate railway commerce was debated, and several speeches were made on the subject ...Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 25th, among the memorials presented were the following: From citizens of Michigan, asking that 160 acres of the pnblic lands be given to the soldiers of the late war; of iron, coal and other companies of Ohio, stating that business there is in a state of stagnation on account of the insufficient volume of the currency, and asking that the same be increased and free banking be authorized.... Resolutions for more currency adopted by a large meeting of the business men at Indianapolis, Ind., were presented and referred... .The House bill authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to use certain unexpended balances for the removal of Kickapoo and other Indians to the Indian Territory was passed.... The bill to provide for the redemption and reissne of United States notes and for free banking was debated, and an amendment was offered to the first section of the bill striking out $82,000,000 and inserting $59,000,000, so that the maximum limit of United States notes should bo *865.000,000, instead of $382,000,000, as fixed by the bi 11... .Executive session and adjournment. In the House, on the 25th, the bill to regulate inter-State railway commerce was debated at considerable length, when a motion to iay the bill on the table was defeated—yeas 92, nays 129... .The Senate hill supplemental to the Mining act of the 10th of May, 1872, was taken up, and a couple of amendments were agreed t 0,... Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 26th, several petitions and resolutions were presented and referred. ....A bill was Introduced and referred to enable the people of New Mexico to form a Constitution and State Government, and providing for the admission of the State Into tbe Union.... Bills were passed—appropriating $30,000 to continue the dredging at tbe month of tbe Mississippi River; House kill concerning practice in Territorial courts and appeals therefrom, with an amendment providing that the provisions of the bill should not apply to cases in tbe Supreme Court where record has already been filed..,.The bill to provide for the redemption and reissne of United States notes and for free banking was taken up, and the amendment to strike out $382,000,000 and insert $356,000,000, so that the maximum limit of United States notes should be $356,000,000 instead of $382,000,000, as reported by the committee, was lost—yeas 18, nays 40. An amendment was then adopted—3l to 62—fixing the maximum amount of United States notes for circulation at $400,000,000. A substitute for the whole bill was then offered and amendments were proposed, pending the discussion of which the Senate adjourned. In the House, on the 26th, a bill was Introduced and referred to reduce the army, said bill proposing to leave the cavalry and artillery at their present force, but to reduce the infantry by five regiments.... The bill to regnlate commerce by ra llway among the several States was passed—yeas 121, nays 116. The bill as passed is, with but a slight modification, the same as reported by Mr. McCrary, of lowa, from the Committee on Railway .and Canals on the 19th of January.. It enacts that all railway Hues carrying freight and passengers between different States, whether owned by one or various corporations, shall be regarded as employed in commerce among the several States, and shall be liable for any violation of this act. They are forbidden to charge more than a fair and reasonable rate for the transportation of freight or passengers, such rate to be ascertained and fixed by a Board of Railway Commissioners, to be appointed hy ihe President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and to be residents of each of tho nine judicial districts of the United States. They are to be disinterested persons, and not to have any interest In the stocks, bonds, or property of any railway or any transportation company. This Board of Railway Commissioners is to institute a thorough investigation and inquiry into the rates and toil or compensation charged on the transport of freight and passengers over each line of railway, and into the reasonableness thereof; and as soon ss possible after snch Investigation and inquiry to pre--pare for the owners and operators of each of the lines a separata schedule for rates and charges for thd transportation of passengers and of freight, and cars on or over said lines, respectively. This schedule is to be duly authenticated by the Board of Commissioners, and to be printed and posted up in each of the offices of the depots of such railway company, corporation, in person. They may from time to lime, and so often as circumstances may require, change and revise the schedule, andshall give notice of such change in the same manner.... A new set of credentials Certifying to the election of Pinchbeck as Representative-at-Large for Louisiana was presented and referred. ... .The bill to amend the several acta relating to the currency and to establish free banking was taken up and several speeches were made... .Adjourned. -« In the Senate, on the 27th, a joint reso lutlon of the Wisconsin Legislature, asking legialaUonforthe speedy construction of a ship canal around Niagara Fails, was presented and referred. .... An adverse report was made from tbe Committee on Private Land Claims on the bill to provide for the settling of private land claims in Nevada, Kansas, New Mexfo, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah, and it was indefinitely postponed. ...TheMil to provide for tbe redemption of a reissue of United States notes and for free banking was further considered, and proposed amendments were debated.... Bills were passed to remove the political diaabliltiea of Thomas Hardeman, of Georgia, and WiU--lam L. Cabell, of Texas. . Several bills werereported from committee*... .Adjourned to thsfiOtb. In the House, on the 27th, a bill was passed removing the political disabilities of Wn. L. Cabell, of Texas ...The bill to saasnd tbe several acta providing for a national currency and to establish free banking was taken np and debated.... Adjourned, tbe evening session tad tbe sesaton on tbe 28th to be exciuntvelg for debate on the Currency bill,, 1 " V

The Quaking of a North Carolina Mountain—Terror of the Inhabitants.

A correspondent of the New York Herald writes as follows from Knoxville, Tenn., under date of March 20: For the last twenty days the greatest excitement has prevailed a distance of twenty-five miles around the vicinity of Bald Mountain. This mountain is situated between Crooked Creek, in McDowell County, and Broad River, the mountain also extending into Rutherford County, that portion of the range within Me Dowell being generally called Stone Mountain. Ike first signs of alarm in this locality were witnessed the 10th of February. This consisted in what the people call a terrible “lumbering,” the earth seeming to quiver to a frightful extent. Some parties described it as terrible thunder, gradually dying away in the dis tance. Others describe the noise as the roaring of heavy artillery at a distance. On the 12th of February two gentlemen were on the highest point of Bald Mountain, known as Harris’ View, which is said to be next to Mount Mitchell in height. 'On that day these gentlemen heard this strange noise. One says it first reminded him of the falling of heavy timber, and presented a strange combination of sounds and impressions. Parties living on the mountain sides and foot heard the same. All think that the noise was in the mountain. One man says when he was on one side of the mountain this terrible noise was in the direction of the mountain, and when on the opposite side the same indications were observed. All feel satisfied that the noise proceeds alone from this mountain, but on the 22d of February the noise had reached such a point as to become perfectly terrible. Among the persons living on this mountain are Mr. Camp, Johnston Elliott, Widow Nanny, George Morgan, James Gilbert and others. From a statement of all these parlies and perhaps fifty others the mountain was actually shaking. The moving was like the entire mountain giving way. The table ware and housefurniture all rocked and jostled with frightful force. One man was riding on horseback, and his horse became fearfully frightened. It is said that the cattle have become alarmed and wandered &om their usual range. Such was the alarm that about twelve o’clock at night on the 22d the people for miles around began to assemble at a man’s house by the name of Camp, and Camp, having gone to the wood-pile for wood, became so alarmed that he fell upon his knees and began to pray alond. Very soon the terrible quaking of the mountain was such that the great, crowd now assembled engaged m prayer. At daybreak Monday morning George Logan, a colored Baptist preacher, was sent for in great haste, and so impatient were they of his arrival that a portion of the crowd met him on the road beseeching him to come and pray and preach. The people thus assembled remained in these devotions three days, when they moved a short distance to a vacant house, the property of Harris Elliott. About the third day a white man, a Baptist preacher, was sent for, who came immediately. The 3d of March J. M. Lumly, Methodist minister, in charge of Broad River Mission, was importuned to attend and preach, who promptly complied with the request. From an eye-witness the scenes are described as most strange and extraordinarv. The people came- flocking in crowds of fifteen and twenty, including men, women and children, all presenting the most terrible state of fear, despair ana penitence. On the day Mr. Lumly preached the house was literally packed, the preacher barely having room to stand. So great was the rush to hear that many climbed np the side of the walls ana crowded on the joists above,only a portion of the upper story having a floor, and many not being able to enter the house crowded their heads in the door and ail round the house, manifesting the most intense interest. When the call was made for mourners the people rushed from all parts of tbe house with almost frantic yells and fell upon the floor and npon each other, all praying and supplicating in the most heartfelt and agonizing manner ever witnessed on earth. These exercises continued incessantly for sixteen days and nights with but little intermission. During all this time tbe people all lived In common, no attention was given to labor or property, cattle, horses, and hogs returned to the woods, and the entire people within the range of this awful excitement have concluded that they have but a few more days to live. About one hundred have made profession of religion. The closing scenes of this strange meeting are represented as most peculiar and wonderful. During most of this period of sixteen days the mountain had continued at intervals to present the same alarming impressions, but having prayed, shouted, sung, and agonized for this long period they separated, with the promise that all would remain and die if necessary. It is said that the awe-stricken countenances and the melancholy demeanor of this vast crowd on the break-ing-up of devotions were beyond all description. A letter was received In this city to-day by a gentleman whose mother resides near Bala Mountain, stating that near the snmmit of that peak an area of nearly an acre was agitated by subterranean upheavals, then sinking, from which smoke and vapor issued.

Amendments to the Michigan Constitution.

The Michigan Legislature has adopted a number of amendments to the State Constitution, to be ratified or rejected by the people? Among the more important provisions are the following : No munlclpality shall aid in any way any association or corporation, nor shall it construct or own a railroad. No city or village shall incur a debt amounting to over 10 per cent, of its taxable valuation, unless a majority of the electors authorize the -increase. The Legislature shall have the power to prohibit discrimination by railroads, to regulate the speed of trains, and to establish “reasonable maximum rates” for freight and passengers on railways and canals. No railroad corporation shall consolidate with a competing line, or have any arrangement about freights or lares with such a line. No person interested in a railroad shall be Interested in supplying material to that railroad or in a company for transporting passengers or goods over its line. The consolidation of competing telegraph lines, even by the purchase of one by the other, <• shall be strictly forbidden. A woman’s private property shall remain hers after marriage. Any property she acquires after m arrisge.shall also be entirely hers. Her husband shall not be liable for her debts before marriage not for those contracted by heir ip rcla-

tion to her sole property after marriage.” Women shall be eligible to the offices of Register of Deeds and Notary Public, to those connected with schools and libraries and to any others hereafter designated by law. The interest on public funds, loaned or deposited, shall always be paid over to the State, municipality, or other owner of the funds. Convicts shall be taught no mechanical trade which will make their labor compete with that of Michigan mechanics. Special legislation is prohibited. Sessions of the Legislature shall be biennial. Neither the State nor any municipal corporation shall appropriate money or property for any sectarian purpose. “ The Legislature shall not pass any act authorizing the grant of license for the sale of ardent spirits or other intoxicating liquors.” —Chicago Tribune.

THE MARKETS.

March 80,1W4. Nkw York.— Cotton—Flour— Good to choice, $6.56©8.75; white wheat extra. $6.76© 7.10. Wheat- No. * Chicago, $1.6081.52: lowa Spring, $1.51©1.54; No. 2 Milwaukee Spring, $1.54®1.56. Rye —Western, [email protected]. Barley—[email protected]. tW-89@ftJc. Oate- New Western, 60062 c. Fort— New mess, $16.60016.75. Lard— »4t©9Xc. Wont—Domestic Fleece, 400 65c. Beetle*—slo.soolß.2s. Hoge— Dreued, $7.00 ©7.25. Sheep-Lire, $7.2509.25. . Chicago. Beeves Choice, $5.7596.00; good, $5.3535.70: medium, $5.0035.25; botchers’ stock, $4.103 5.00; stock cattle, $8.5034.76. Hogs—lire, $5.4035.70. BkeepGood to choice, $6.25© 7.25. ButterChoice yellow, 363 88c. Egos Fresh. 12© 18c. Port Mess, new, Lard BH©o!4c. Flour— White winter extra, $7,000 9.25; Spring extra, $5.0006.00. Wheal— Spring No. 2, $1.193121. Com—No. 2, Oate —No. 2,43345 c. Bjl»— No. 2,00392 c. Barley —No. 2, $1.55. Wool—Tab-washed, 48355 c; fleece, washed, 36348 c; fleece, unwashed, 25082 c; palled, 35340 c. CnrcnnraTi.—F7o»r-$6.70©7.00. Wheat— $1.43 ©1.45. Com —66®Bßc. Rye— [email protected]ß. Vale- 6©4 56c. BaWep—sl.6o©l.6s. i > or*-$15.87#«16.00. Lard— 9*®9«c. St. Louis.— Cattle—Fair to choice, $4.5036.50. Hoge —Live, $4.80 a 5.75. Flour—XX Fail, $6,009 6.25. W/ieot-No. 2 Bed Fall, $1.4831.60. Corn— No. 2, 61KOS8MC. Oats—No. 2,48046 c. Rye—--913 92c. Barley—sl.6o*l.66. Port - Mesa, $15.65315.75. Lard-9 u9%c. Milwaukru.— Flour —Spring IX, $5.7036.25. Wheat —Spring, No. 1, $1.2731.28; No. 2, $1.28 31.2311. Cbm—No. 2,62368 c. Cal*-No. 2, 43944 c. Bye-No. 1,87388 c. Barley- No.*, $1.5801.60. Clxtxlahd.— TOeat-No. 1 Bed, $1.6501.66; No. 2 Bed, $1.4531.46. Com-' 7o©72c. Oate- No. 1,49051 c. Dwraoir.—TFfteat—Rxtra,sl.6lH©l.62M. Com—--71372c. G01f—61351 !4C. Tolxdo.—U%ea< Amber Mich.. $1.4881.4814; No. 1 Bed, $1.441401.46.,. Cbm—Mixed, 67068 c. Oat*—s3Bs4c. Burr Ato.— Beevet —55.6006,50. Boot Live, $5.2585.90. Sheep—lire, $7.6008.00. Bast Libirtt.—Cattle—Best. $6.6006.75; medium. [email protected]. Hoge— Yorkers, $5.40© 5.60; Philadelphia, $6.80©6.40. Sheep-Beset, [email protected]; good, $7.0007.50.

Cheap Transportation.

At a recent convention held at Rock Icland, 111., to consider the question of cheap transportation, addresses were delivered by ex-Lieutenant-Govemor Wm. Brass ana Mr. J. C. Dore, of Chicago, and other gentlemen, after which the following resolutions were proposed, debated and adopted: Where ah, The qnestion of cheapening the cost of transportation of the products of the country iRp come to be considered and is now universally I regarded, both by the producers and consumers, as second to no other question before the people; and. Whereas, This convention, composed of representatives from the agricultural, mercantile and manufacturing interests of the Northwestern States, has been convened to consider this Important question; therefore. Resolved, Thai we believe the Urns has come when the Government of the United States, in the discharge of its dntiee to the people, under the Sewer expressly conferred upon it by the Constitnon, should declare Its purpose to asssnme such supervision and control over all branches of interSlate commerce as will secure to the people of the whole country relief from all unnecessary burdens Imposed, either by existing monopolies or by those that may be established, with comparatively little cost. Resolved, That the expression of popular opinion heretofore given, demanding a completed communication by canal between the waters of tbe upper Mississippi River, tbe Illinois River, and tbe lakes, as tbose expressions were severally made at tbe conventions of 1865, held St Gcneseo and at Bock Island, and a* authoritatively placed on record by the respective memorialists to Congress of the Tenth General Assembly of lows, the Legislature of Illinois, the City Connells of Davenport and Rock Island, and other cities in lows and Illinois, ought net to have remained unnoticed and neglected so long by tbe National Government, ana should now be promptly considered, respected and complied with. Beeolved, That in the judgment of this convcn tion the construction of a canal of sufficient Capacity for commercial purposes from the Mississippi River ator above Bock Island to tbs Illinois River at or near Hennepin would tend more effectually to the solution of the question of cheap transportation for those States bordering upon the Mbsissippi Elver above Bock Island than any projected work Involving a similar amount of money, and is Imperatively demanded by the necessities of the producer of the Northwest as well as the consumer in tbe Eastern States erin foreign lands. Resolved, That while this convention especially Indorse and urge upon the attention of the United States Government the construction of the work herein named, we wonld also urge upon it any and ail Inter-State improvements that are feasible, and the completion of which will not involve an expenditure disproportionate to the prospective benefits, among which we recognize as prominent the Improvement of tbe Mississippi and the Illinois Riven, and the control by the General Government of the railroads engaged in inter-State traffic. Resolved, That we urge upon the people of Ullnois that they cede to the General Government the entire control of the Illinois 8 Michigan Canal and the Illinois River, to be improved and forever maintained as navigable highways for the benefit of the nation, provided this should be noeeaaary hr order to secure prompt and efficient action by the General Government in proeecnling the work especially Indicated by this convention. Resolved. That this convention appoint a committee of thirteen whose dnty it snail be to memorialize Congress in accordance with the views expressed in the foregoing resolutions. Resolved. That the bill now pending before Congress. introduced by the Men. T BT Hawley, to provide for the construction of a canal connectinj the waters of Lake Michigan, the Illinois, Mkeii sippl and Bock Rivers, meets with our hearty approval; and we cheerfully unite In recommending onr Senators and Representatives in Congress to use their influence to aid in the passage of this act. Resolved, That for the purpose of securing water competition to the seaboard, aa well aa competition with corporate monopolise, we are In favor of the speedy improvement of the MissiaslMi River, and the construction, if necessary, of a ship canal tt Its month. ~ * ! —- TA committee to memorialize Congress is composed of the following-named gentlemen : Jamea M. Allan, of Geneseo; Waldo M. Potter, of Davenport; Calvin D.Trnesdale, of Rock Island; Charles Atkinson, of Moline; L. D. Whiting, df Tisktlwa; James L. Camp, of Dixon; W. H. Wells, of Peoria; P. D. Brewster, of Peru; William Reddick, of Ottawa; John Mahen, of Muscatine; A. B. Smedley, of Cresco, and D. B. Sears, of Rock Island. —Editor’s sanctum—Enter foreman—u Haif a dozen lines wanted, sir, to block out with. Give us a joke on annexation.” Married editor, adjusting bis spectacle# with an air of surprise—* Ah, but annexation is no Joke.”— Brooklyn Argue. ' e.w —■* - —A New York firm has contracted for a large quantity of bird’s-eye maple timber at Green ftty, to be shipped to New York for tbe manufacture of wall decorations for houses. —Domestic duties, many wires think, should be written after the phonetic fashion —do-teaze.

THE RENSSELAER MM. - I tiX'ii' *■ i v::i WHS OF ADVERTISING. •ss ■* -sswasrsrhaiasa Savtlrlrin line* or lw, one year, 654)9. «tace. tm. Sm. 6m. tyr. MSS::::::::::::::::: fS $8 S 3 BS»Mn u .?“:::::::: K \l:% S 3 On* columa 16/00 30.06 4640 «MW

NO. 28.

We have received a visitation of spring poem and are not weU.—Sochstter Chronicle. Brooklyn has so far improved in morals that she won’t let a drunken man sit on a jury. There is a daily average of fifty-eight and a half tons of mail dispatched from the New York Postofflce. Helena, Ark., has only two Chinese restaurants, while the town has rodents enough to run a dozen. This has been a good winter for sliding down hill in Portland, Me., as thirteen broken arms and legs attest. Boston has so much red tape in its poor-office that it takes five days to send a peck of potatoes to a starving family. Gold-hunters are leaving Oregon in large numbers for the Alaska mines. The mines have not yet been practically explored. Denvsb (Col.) was recently treated to a grand mirage; no less than a double image of the Rocky Mountains, suspended in the air. A Cincinnati car-driver got forty-seven persons into a street car the other day, which shows that the packing season has not yet ended. Two wedding fees of SI,OOO each have just been given in Western New York, and calls to that pastoral paradise are in active demand. Dio Lewis says that “ women need symmetry more than suffrage.” They seek it In corsets; but instead of symmetry they find cemeteries. " Thebe is going to be a total eclipse of the sun April 16, but it won’t be visible except in Africa, just where they don’t care a copper for eclipses. Btewartstown, Me., has forty men whose avoirdupois is 8,000 pounds, the heaviest of whom is 808 pounds, and the tallest six feet seven inches. A man who does not appreciate the “Yankees” says the noblest inheritance which New England leaves to her children is poverty and consumption. At San Francisco the other night, at a grand masquerade ball, the judges sward, ed the first lady’s prize to the “Beggar Woman,” who proved to be a man. John Vines ah keeps a grocery store in Baltimore, and he denies being any relative of old cider vinegar, bat then yon hardly ever see any grocery vinegar that is. Benton County (Mo.) Patrons have resolved to totally abstain from the use of coffee “ until the price of the article shall have been reduced within the reach of every laboring man.” A Kentucky woman poured hot water down her husband’s back to cure the toothache, mid the jury held that she was practicing without a license and sent her to jail for six months. The too rural editor of the Detroit Free Frees seasonably remarks: “We have our opinion of any cow which will stand by and chew her end when butter is telling at forty-five cents a pound.” One of tbe Selectmen of Bennington, Vt., declared at the recent town meeting that he was willing to print the town report in frill, if it took a book as large as Daniel Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary. There are two sisters who have lived within six miles of each other, near Bennington, Vt, for thirty yean and yet have not seen each otheruifStstime, thouglr there is no ill-feeling between them—they are simply “odd.” Capt. C. l>. heady, who saved the ' steamship Pennsylvania, lately, when in a storm the Captain and first and second officers were swept from the deck, has declined to receive the gift of SI,OOO offered him by the steamship company, and entered a libel for salvage. Beaded sunshades are coming into fashion with a delightful rapidity. The handsomest are of Slack silk with raised embroidery, dotted with fine jet beads in reckless profusion. These new affairs are from “ the other side,” and the importer wonld have it understood that the Duchess of Edinburgh has one I A Boston man is telling in a series of lectures “ What women will wear and how they will wear it.” Several other gentlemen have heretofore tried to suggest to ladies intimately connected with themselves what they should wear, but for some reason have signally failed to produce the desired impression. Scientific men say that if pianos stand north and south the tone of the instrument is much improved. This is true especially when the piano is thumped by a learner. About 160 miles north and south of yon is the proper position for the instrument to stand when being manipulated by a young thing taking her first lessons. The Organ as a household instrument has been rapidly growing in favor, and S early sales are now enormous. A Organ remains in tone, is easily in order, and blends naturally with the quality of the voice. The advertisement of tie Smith American Organ Co., in another column, is referred to the consideration of onr readers. This house has an enviable reputation for good work and fair dealing. An old bachelor in Orleans County, Vt, has been deterred from committing matrimony in tbe following way: Thinking over the »übject, and particularly the expense of maintaining a family, he set the table in his lonely abode with plates for himself and an imaginary wife and live children. He then sat down to dine, and ae often as he helped himself to food he pat the same quantity on each of the other plates, and surveyed tbe prospect, at the same time computing the coat He is still s bachelor. The new ten-cent ah inplaster is regarded as a great success by the amateur counterfeiters. Its dose resemblance to the fifty-cent note haa of late occasioned many a small loss to tha retail dealer. This similarity has been taken advantage of by designing persons, and instances are given where the ten-cent has been raised to a fifty-cent note. A case is reported where the “ ftfty-ceut” from a revenue cigar stamp was pasted over the figore 10 of the new note, the size of the 50 exactly covering the figure 19.—Chicago jVmtf•. The Painesville (Ohio) THoorWph describes a mammoth cheese which lately passed through that town onto way East. It was mounted on a substantial platform, to which was attached small cast-iron wheels, so that it easily moved, and platform in turn was mounted on a heavy fitting cheese-box which was tody secured to the platform to peren^jiUaing^ twolnehej; diameter, five Sstfour toebes; circumference, sixteen feet Its net weight was 4,080 pounds.

CURRENT ITEMS.