Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1875 — THE NEWS. [ARTICLE]

THE NEWS.

King Alphonso Issues a Proclama- , Hon of Amnesty. Spain Exacting Indemnity from the CaTltsts. Special Message of the President on Coast Defensea Propesed Constitutional Amendment Relating to Presidential Elections. Election by Stole Legislatures of United States Senators. Inter»stin« News From All Quarter*. FOREIGN. A Madrid dispatch of the 18th says Castelar had declared that be would not take his seat In the Cortes if Tie is required to swear allegiance to the Monarchy. The Spanish squadron had arrived at Zaranz. Its commanders had been instructed to exact from the Carlists Indemnity for the owners and crew of the German brig Gustav and the punishment of her assailants. Dispatches of the 19th state that on account of the flagrant outrages on railway trains and employes the Spanish Government had determined that every armed Carlist found in the vicinity of any railroad should be shot. A delegation from the Carlist Committee of London had gone to Spain to inform Don Carlos that the English bankers with whom the Carlist loan was lodged had refused to make further advances. It was understood that Spain would pay Germany an indemnityequal to the value of the Gustav and cargo, even if she be unsuccessful in exacting the same from the Car lists at Zeranz. A Paris dispatch of the 90th says thatleading Spanish Republicans were arranging with the Carlists to bury their political differences and unite in a general uprising against the authority of King Alphonso, and that, should the project succeed, it was proposed by a plebiscite to decide between a monarchy with Don Carlos as King and a republic. A boiler explosion occurred in a Yorkshire (Eng.) factory on the 21st, which killed five and injured fifty persons. Spanish dispatches of the 21st say Alphonso’s civil list has been fixed at 28,000,000 reals. Forty-seven Carlist officers had given in their adhesion to the Monarchy. Russia, Germany and Austria had agreed to recognize Alphonso without waiting for the proclamation of the Cortes. A London telegram of the 22d says the British Government had demanded an explanation and apology from Peru for removing a passenger from a British steamer at CallaoOn the 23d King Alphonso issued two proc lamations—one addressed to the inhabitants of Navarre and the Basque provinces, and the other to the army. In the first he says, while he longs for peace, he will fight for his rights; that he represents the dynasty which their fathers swore to obey; that he is a Catholic, and devoted to the church; that if they will lay down their arms he will give them full amnesty. In the second the King demands abnegation and energy. Rev. Charles Kingsley died in London on the 34th. • A Vienna dispatch of the 24th says the difficulty between Turkey and Montenegro had been compromised. DOMESTIC. At Bucyrus, Ohio, a few days ago, Mrs. Heilman attempted.to kindle a fire with coal oil, and was fatally burned. A dispatch was received by Secretary Belknap, on the 18th, from Gen. Sheridan, in which the latter gives an epitome of a report from Maj. Merrill, stationed in the Shreveport district, concerning outrages said to have been committed in that section. The report states that threats made before election against persons who should vote the Republican ticket were being carried •out; that White Leagues were being rapidly formed; that'all citizens not belonging to the Leagues are ostracized, etc., etc. The Methodist preachers of Boston and vicinity have passed a resolution indorsing and thanking the President and Gen. Sheridan for their action in the Louisiana t roubles The New York Republican Central Committee have adopted resolutions sustaining throughout the action of the President, and setting forth that even if what was done was illegal it was done without the knowledge of the President and with the sincere desire on the part of the officers of the Government to perform simply their duty. A New Orleans dispatch of the 19th says the Patrons of Husbandry of Louisiana and Mississippi had issued an address to the Order throughout the United States indorsing the report of the sub-committee of Congress. A Washington Associated Press dispatch of the 30th says the President's special message, repealing the recommendation in his annual message relating to the armament of our fortifications, and in time of peace to prepare for war, had naturally raised the question among members whether there was any probability at anr with a foreign power, and whether the President had any knowledge leading him to meh apprehension. Some members could see no ground for fear, while others thoeght probably some serious difficulty might arise between the United States and Spain, and it was therefore proper that our ports in the Gulf should prepared against sudden assault from Spanish vessels in the event of hostilities growing out of the Cuban question. One of the most disastrous and wide-spread storms ever known in the West swept over Colorado, part of Utah and California on the 90th. There was loss of both life and property. Several costly radway bridges were destroyed, and several towns submerged. Announcement was made in Chicago’on the 19th of the suspension of thetook County National Bank, B. F. Allan, President As- | aurance is given by Mr. Allen that depositors yrill ultimately be paid in full. Jt is said that 300 miners are at work in the |

Black Hills gold regions, and that some parties are meeting with great spccces. Several casual ties arc reported Tin Utah, the result of recent heavy snow-slides in the mining regions. In the Big Cotton!od Canon six men were carried away an avalanche and killed. Tho bodies of pqpsons Who were killed by a snowslide in the City of Alta bad been recovered. Many were supposed to have perished, but their bodies are covered to a great depth by the snow, and probably they will not be found for some time. In one demolished house was found the body of Mrs. Carey, sittlng in a rocking-chair, with an infant clasped in her arms. Near them were the husband and a little girl. All had been suffocated by the snow. A New Orleans dispatch of the 23d gives a document signed by eight Northern cottonbuyers and merchants at Shreveport, Jan. 28, expressing astonishment ..at the statements made by Gen. Merrill and others, representing that community in aconditlon of anarchy and its people lawless and defiant, etc. Gen. Merrill’s statement* are pronounced outrageously false and groundless, and the document asserts that the only disorders there known to the signers were caused by Merrill, just before election sending his soldiers raiding over the country and ariesting unresisting citizens for imaginary offenses, who had not been held for trial because there was no evidence of guilt. News from California on the 23d was to the effert that the heavy Tatns still con tin ued, and that great damage had been done by the floods.

PERSONAL.

The three Republican members of the House Committee on Louisiana Affairs left Washington for New Orleans on the morning of the 18th, and were followed by Mr. Marshall, one of the Democratic members, in the evening. Mr. Whitelaw Reid, of the New York Tribune, was before the Pacific Mail Investigating Committee in Washington on the 18th and was subsequently arrested for libel at the suit of ex-Gov. Alexander R. Shepherd for having charged him (Shepherd) with bringing bankruptcy upon the District of Columbia by fraudulent practices, etc. The direct testimony of Francis D. Moulton in the case of Tilton vs. Beecher closed on the 18th, he having been on the witness stand for over a week. His evidence was mainly a reiteration of his former statements. His cross-examination was begun on the afternoon of the 18th. The court-room is crowded daily by a large concourse of spectators. The Michigan State Grange recently held its annual meeting at Grand Rapids. There are 565 Granges in the State, with a membership of over 50,000. On the 21st Richard B. Irwin appeared before the Committee of Ways and Means, investigating the Pacific Mail subsidy business, and told to whom he paid the money.- In regard to the amounts, he said he might not be exactly accurate, but was nearly so. The following is a list: Charles Abert, $7,000; O.J. Averill, "$10,000; J. G. Berrett, $10,000; E. IL Cormack, $2,000 or $5,000; Amasa B. Corwin, $3,600; L. E. Chittenden, $5,000: B. H. Cheeyer, $5,000; Hamilton G. Fant, $12,000; John W. Forney, $25,000; Samuel A. Hatch, about $30,000; S. R. Ingham, $10,000; Alex. W. Randall, $10,000; John H. Rice, $2,500; William B. Shaw, $15,000; Chas. 11. Sherrill, $500; John G. Schumaker, $300,000; A. H. Whitney, SIOO,OOO. Witness said the above list comprised the , names of all persons by him, and that he knew of the employment of only two others —William 8. King, to whom he paid $125,000, and Richard S. Parsons, who was Stockwell’s personal attorney. Witness paid Parsons SIO,OOO on Stockwell’s account. He gave Schumaker $275,000 in New York and sent $25,000 more from California. On the 22d Irwin added to the list as follows: Mr. Morris, of the Chronicle, $1,500; SIO,OOO to $15,000 to, William Moran for writing letters, etc., and $35,000 to ex-Postmaster-Gen. Randall for the special purpose of buying off the Washington agents of a combination of New York stock operators who were fighting the Pacific Mail subsidy while it was before the Senate. POLITICAL. Balloting for United States Senators began on the 19th in eleven Legislatures; Elections were virtually made in Indiana, Maine, Missouri, New York and Pennsylvania. The successful candidates in these States, in the order named, are: McDonald (Dem.), Hamlin (Rep.), Cockrell (Dem.), Kemin (Dem.) and Wallace (Dem.). Unsuccessful ballots were had in Michigan, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Nebraska and Tennessee. The Connecticut Republican State Convention, at New Haven on the -20th, nominated: For Governor, Jas. Lloyd Green, present Mayor of Norwich; Lieutenant-Governor, Charles L. English; Secretary of State, Col Augustus Fenn; Treasurer, 0. B. Arnold; Cqjnptroller, Gen. R. B. Crawford. Among the resolutions adopted was one indorsing the President’s special message to Congress on Louisiana affairs. The Massachusetts Legislature on the 20th elected as United States SenaJor Henry L. Dawes, on the second ballot. The Michigan Legislature, on the 22d, elected the Hon. J. P. Christiaucy (Rep.) to succeed Mr. Chandler (also Rep.) iu the United States Senate. Mr. Christiaucy received the Democratic vote, and a sufficient number of Republicans voted for him to defeat Mr. Chandler, the regular party candidate. • ' The Illinois State Farmers’ Association held its annual meeting at Springfield recently, and adjourned to meet next year at Bloomington. A report was received from the State Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners that there is no law by which an injunction can be obtained to prevent railroad companies violating the Railroad laws of the State. The committee of the association disagreed with this opinion, claiming that the right of in junction is a common law right. The committee think the present law should remain intact and be enforced. Thomas F. Bayard has been re-elected United States Senatof by the Delaware Legislature. Ex-Gqv. A S. Paddock (Rep.) was on the 23d elected to the United States Senate by the Nebraska Legislature by a rote of 37 to 11 for Gen. Thayer and 2 scattering. The Kansas House of Representatives on the 23d adopted resolutions indorsing the President’s recent message on Louisiana affairs and the course of Gen. Sheridan at New Orleans, sad declaring them entitled to the thanks and confidence of the countrv. A proposition was made at New Orleans on the 23d by the Conservative members of the House returned by the Returning Board and those claiming to have been undoubtedly

elected but defrauded by the Board, to have the Congressional Investigating Committee take the returns •of 1874, together with all fair and relevant testimony, and upon such returns and evidence dedare what members of the Legislature were fairly elected. The Chairman of the committee took the matter under consideration. The election in the First Illinois District to fill the vacancy in the Forty-third Congress caused by the death of Hon. J. B. Rice occurred on the 23d. Bernard G. Caulfield, Democratic memuer-ciect ot the Eorty-tourth Congress, was the successful candidate, he meeting with no regular organized opposition. ,7

(ONGR ENKION A L.

In the Senate, on the 18th, bills were introduced—to establish a mint for the coinage of gold and silver at Indianapolis; to amend the act of March 8, 1813, authorising the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River at St. Louis: to authorize the construction of a bridge across the same river at or near Grand Chain... Mr. Schurz" Louisiana resolution came up as unfinished business, and a motion was agreed to to lay it aside und proceed with the Legislative Appropriation bill. Among the amendments to this bill proposed by the Senate committee was one authorizing the organization of a Bureau of Commerce and Statistics, to be attached to the Treasury Department, which amendment was debated at considerable length ....Adjourned. In the House, on the 18th, among the bills introduced and referred were the following: To prevent the issue of United States and National Bank notes of greater denomination than $100; limiting the taxon bank deposits: in regardNo the collection of drafts and checks; aitthorizing the use of information received through the Dead-Letter Office when its use will prevent or punish crime; to amend the National Currency act; to establish a mint at Cincinnati; for a special distribution of seeds in the districts devastated by grasshoppers; to authorize the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River at Memphis... .The resolution of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives relating to military interference with the organization of the Louisiana Legislature was presented and referred.... Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 19th, a memorial of citizens of Michigan, protesting against the proposed Canadian reciprocity treaty, was pre seated and referred... .The Legislative, Judicial and Executive Appropriation bill was further considered, and a proposed amendment providing for the organization of a Bureau of Commerce and Statistics was stricken out —29 to 21—and the amendment continuing the present Board of Statistics was agreed to, with amendments instructing the said bureau to collate and report annually statistics and facts relating to commerce with foreign nations and among the several States, the railroad systems of this and other countries, the cost of construction and operation of railroads, and the actual cost of the transportation of freight and passengers on the railroads, canals and rivers of the country. Other proposed amendments were disposed 0f.... Adjourned. In the House, on the 19th, several members made indignant denial of charges that they had oeen implicated in the Pacific Mail subsidy scandal .. .A committee was ordered and appointed to inquire whether the privileges of the House had been violated by the arrest and detention of Whitelaw Reid at the suit of Alex. R. Shepherd while Reid was in the District of Columbia under a subpoena from a committee of the House... .Charles A. Wetmore, correspondent of the Alta California, was brought before the House charged with contempt “in retusing to answer questions put to him before the Waysand Means Committee in the Pacific Mail investigation, but further action was postponed and the House adjourned. In the Senate, on the 20th, tho memorial of the Conservative members of the Louisiana Legislature, giving their views of the dis . t urbances attending the organization of the Legislature, was presented and referred, as was also the memorial of the General Assembly of that State In regard to the recent disturbances... .A bill was introduced and referred to protect each State against invasion and for other purposes.... The joint resolution of the Ohio Legislature condemning the expulsion of the officers and mem bers of the Louisiana Legislature by military power, and the protest signed by the Republicans of the House and entered upon the journal of that body, were presented and ordered printed... .The Legislative Appropriation bill was further amended and passed. - . The Fortification Appropriation bill was passed without amendment. ..The Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation bill was amended and passed....A motion was agreed to to take up the proposed amendment to the Constitution providing for the election of the President and Vice-President by a direct vote of the people, and, pending its consideration, the Senate adjourned. In the House, on the 20th, a resolution was adopted rescinding so much of the resolution of Jan. 6 as required the Sergeant-at-Arms to keep Irwin in the District of Columbia jail ... A bill was passed appropriating $30,000 for the special distribution of seeds to portions'’of the country that have suffered from grasshopper ravages... .The memorial of Conservative members of the Louisiana Legislature as to the difficulties concerning the organization of the Legislature was presented and referred... .The Indian Appropriation bill was considered in Committee of the Whole, amended and reported to the House, and rejected—yeas 111, nays 120—the appropriation of $600,000 for the Chociaw nation being the protable cause of the defeat of the bi 1(.... A message was received from the President, and referred, calling special attention to the absolute necessity of providing proper armament for sea-coast defenses ... .The recusant witness, Wetmore, was declared .11 con tempt, because of insulting language tothe House, and Conducted to jail... . Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 21st, the President’s message relating to coast defenses was received and referred... .An adverse report was made from the Civil Service and Retrenchment Committee on the bill to reduce the salary of the President... .Mr. Morton spoke in favor of his proposed amendment to the Constitution in regard to the election of PresidenLaml Vice-Pres-ident. and Messrs. Thurman and Conkling advocated some additional provisions designating the tribunal for the settlement of contested election cases in the Electoral College. In the House, on the 21st, the vote rejecting the Indian Appropriation bill was reconsidered and the bill was referred to the Committee of the Wh01e.... Charles A. Wetmore having made satisfactory apology, was, on motion, discharged from custody.... A report was made from the Committee on Elections to exclude the Delegate from Utah (Cannon' from his seat on the ground of polygamy.. ...The conference report ouVvhatis known as the “Little Tariff""bill was made and, alter debate, agreed t 0—136 to 99. In the Senate, on the 22d, the credential? of P. B. S. Pinchbeck, as Senator-elect from Louisiana, were presented, and referred to the Committee on Privileges and Elections... .The credentials of Senator Bayard, of Delaware, were also presented.... A bill was introduced and referred to establish a court for contested elections... .The proposed amendment to the Constitution in regard to Presidential elections was debated by Mr. Anthony in its favor, and its further consideration was postponed to the 27th.... Mr. Sherman addressed the Senate in defense of the Administration'in its connection with the Louisiana difficulties. and was briefly replied to by Mr. Johnston. In the House, on the 22d, many bills of a private character were introduced and referred. .-.Leave was asked, and objected to, to offer a resolution calling on the President "to state by what authority the courts or officers of Mississippi, at Vicksburg, had been interfered with by the army....A number of private bills, were passed.... Adjourned to the 25th.