Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1877 — Page 2

<W V TT • The Rensselaer Union. " 5 V ■■ *■ <4/ KENWtUEE, . - INDIANA.

General News Summary.

AWa»”«TOsTiUwnwTof'tte* 18th announces the arrest in that city of Gen. Andemon end ex-Gov. Welle, of the Louisiana ' Returning Board. They were locked up to await the pleasure of the House. An officer had been sent to New Orleans to brine to Washington Messrs. Kenner and Cessnave, the ether members of the Board. A WsaniHOTON Associated Press dispatch of the 18th says: “ In view of the fact that Justices Miller and Field are two of the four Judges especially designated by the Joint Committees' bill to be members of the Comidisskm, the respective friends of these gentlemen desire It to be stated that a re-cently-reported conversation with Justice Miller, In which It was alleged he had given public and emphatic views on the Presidential question, is greatly exaggerated; also, that the published statement that Justice Field, at a dinner party at the house of a Republican Benator, recently, expressed his opinions on the Presidential question or regarding the action of theLoulaiana Returning Board, is entirely untrue. The Republican Senator referred to la Senator Edmunds, who authorises an emphatic denial of the whole storv. Justlce Field’s remark on that occasion waa *tmp>y to the effect that he believed there was good sense and patriotism enough in the two houses of Congress to devise some plan by which til existing or apprehended difficulties could be peaceably and satisfactorily adjusted.” It was reported in Washington, on the 21st, that President Grant had said it was his intention to sign the bill providing for counting the Electoral vote In case It passed both houses of Congress. Tun Secretary of the Treasury, on the 91th, Issued the thirty-eighth call for the redemption of 5-20 bonds of 1806, May. and November. The amount called in was $lO,000,000. Washington dispatches of the 24th say ex-Becretary Belknap had notified the District Attorney that he should apply on the 20th Inst, for an immediate trial of the suit against him in the Circuit Court of the District, and ask to be discharged in esse the prosecution were not ready to proceed with the case. Tun Judiciary Committee of the National House of Representatives have unanimously resolved that articles of impeachment ought not to be preferred against George M. Robeson, Secretary of the Navy. TUB BAST. Tun Massachusetts Legislature, on the 19th, elected George F. Hoar to succeed Mr. Boutweli in the United State Senate on the 4th of March. According to the annual circular of the Mercantile Agency of R. G. Dun & Co., the business failures In the United States for 1876 were 9,092, against 7,740 in 1875. The total liabilities of these failures were, in 1876, $191,117,786; in 1875, $201,060,856. CoxcxninxG the Bennett-May duel, the New York Tribune of a recent date contains the following: “Letters from one of the seconds in the duel hare been exhibited to us, which make the following facts clear: (1) That May, as the challenged party, having the right to a choice of weapons, chose cavalry sabers; (2) That Bennett's friends objected, on the ground that this gaTe May an advantage; (3) That May’s friends yielded their choice, and assented to dueling pistols; (4) That the distance was * twelve paces; (5) That no witnesses were present, even the surgeons remaining at a distance, the only persons on, or in sight of, the dueling ground being the two principals and their two seconds; (6) That the word was given thus: ‘ Ready, fire, one, two, three, stop,’ the parties not to move their pistols from the perpendicular until the word * fire* was pronounced, and not to fire after the word ' stop’ was pronounced, and the seconds having the right to shoot down either man who disobeyed this requirement; (7) That Bennett and May lied almost simultaneously at the word ‘one;’ (8) That neither was touched; (9) That Bennett's friends then professed themselves satisfied; and (10) that the parlies straightway separated, the whole affair scarcely having occupied ten minutes. These, we have reason to believe, are, so far as they go, the exact facts.” In the District Court of the Southern District of New York, on the 22d, United States District-Attorney Bliss commenced suit, on a capias, against ex-Gov. Samuel J. Tilden, to recover $150,000, alleged to be due for income tax. The capias was made returnable on the 6th of February. Thi Philadelphia Board of Trade, on the 28d, adopted a resolution heartily approving the Congressional Committee’s plan for settling the Presidential question, and in Harrisburg, on the evening of the same day, at a laxga meeting of citiaens, resolutions were adopted strongly indorsing the report of the committee. Tk* New Jersey Legislature, on the 2Sd, elected John R. MacPherson to the United Btotes Senate, by one majority, over F. T. Frdinghuysen, the present Senator. The Connecticut Senate, on the 24th, passed resolutions indorsing the Compromise Electoral bill pending in Congress. At * large meeting at Faneuil Hall, Boston, on the 28d, Mayor Prince presiding, the Conference plan of settling the Presidential question was heartily approved. Goto closed in New York on Jan. 24, at lOSjtf. The following were the dosing quotations for prodace: No 2 Chicago Spring Wheat, (New) $1.45(31.46; No. 2 v MUwaukee (New) [email protected]; Oats, Western Mixed and State, 42@54)fc; Corn, Western Mixed, 6ft@6l)4c; Pork, Mom, $17.75; Lard, SII.JK; Hour, good to choice, [email protected]; White Wheat Extra, $6.85(37.80. Cattle, B)f®llXc forgood to extra. Hogs, live, $6.87>4(37.00. Sheep, $5.75(38.00. A* Beat liberty, on Jan. 24, cattle brought: Beat, $5.70(36.75; medium, $4.50 •&00; common, [email protected]. Hogs sold— Yorkers, $6.00(36.70; Philadelphia*, $6.90(3 la nJLUi' j-BM Txm Senatorial contest inTeoaessee dosed on the 19th, and resulted in the election, on tiMMnmty-thtrd ballot, of James G. Bailey «D the vacancy ta the United State* Senate caused by the death of Andrew Johnson. The Nebraska Legislature, on tha 18th, oleeted Alvin Saunders United States Sena-

tor, to succeed Senator Illtrhcock, whose term will expire on the 4th of March. 1 On the morning of the 20th, the dead body of Charles Col Una, Chief the Lake Shore ft Michigan Southern Rail, road, waa found In hla house In Cleveland, Ohio, with the appearance of having been llfdeas twenty-four hoprs. One revolver waa hell fast in hia hand, while another and a raxor lay near by him on the bed. A telegram says it was an undoubted suicide by shooting. It Is supposed the anxiety on account of the late accident at Ashtabula had made him deranged. His family was absent at the time of the suicide. An Indianapolis dispatch of the 21at says Gov. Hendricks had been interviewed upon the question of the plan proposed by the Joint Committee of Coogress for adjusting the Presidential question, and had expressed himself gratified that “so fair a bill had been reported,” and he thought it would be accepted by the country. According to late dispatches from Fort Randall, a Black Hills train, bound for Yankton, had been captured by a band of Indians, and some twenty men accompanying It massacred. The butchery occurred a day’s journey from the hills near the Little Missouri River, not far from where Crook had his fight with Crasy Horse’s hand last fall, when on the march from the Yellow, stone Valley to the Black Hills. This last butchery Is laid to the charge of Crazy Horse and hla band. The Minnesota Senate, on the 23d, by a decided majority, adopted joint resolutions instructing her Senators, and requesting her Representatives, in Congress to support the bill pending before that body to settle the Presidential complications. The Indianapolis, ChTcago and St. Loufi Boards of Trade have also adopted resolutions favoring the Compromise Electoral bill, and requesting Senators and Members of Congress from their respective Btates to support it. On the 24tb, the Minnesota House of Representatives, by nearly a two-thirds vote, indorsed the Electoral Compromise bill. The Delaware Legislature also passed, on the same day, resolutions indorsing the measure, and requesting the Representatives of the State in Congress to support it. t in Chicago, on Jan. 24, spring wheat No. 2, closed at $J..28(31-28Jf cash. Cash corn closed at 42%c for No. 2. Cash oats No. 2 •old at 85@35){c; February options sold at Ss)4c; Barley, No. 2, 61fc@62c; Rye, No. 2, 71)4c. Cash mess pork (New) closed at $17.00; Lard, $10.89 @ 10.90. Good to choice beeves brought $5.25 @5.00; medium grades, [email protected]; butchers’ stock $3.00(33.50; stock cattle, etc., $3.00 (36-60. Hogs brought $5.90(36.15 for good to choice. Sheep sold at $5.00(35.25 for good to choice. FOBEIGS INTKUIGEKCB. Thx British authorities, on the 19th, issued stringent regulations' concerning the importation of cattle, sheep and goats from Germany, France and Belgium, the rinderpest having broken out in those countries. Constantinople telegrams of the 20th say all the foreign Ambassadors lately engaged in arriving at an understanding with Turkey had left the city, the Conference having broken up. It was reported, on the 21st, that the Porte would spontaneously offer considerable concession to the Powers, in. eluding several points which it refused to: yield on compulsion. A Hong Kong dispatch of late date says travel on the railway between Shanghai and Wooaung had been stopped by Chinese mobs. Bkklin dispatches of the 22d say the Germ&u Government had decided to abolish all honorary Consulships in the United Btates. A London telegram of the 22d announces the loss of the American ship George Green, with all on board, off the coast of England. On the 22d, the Porte sent telegraphic messages to its diplomatic agents abroad in forming them of its rejection of the proposals of the Great Powers, but announcing that it undertakes faithfully to extend constitutional liberty to all ita subjects. Constantinople telegrams of the 23d say Russia had, since the failure of the Conference, endeavored to negotiate a special treaty with Turkey. London dispatches of the 23d say a fire had broken out in the Stone Hills Colliery, near Bolton, and was still burning.. Fifteen miners were known to have perished. According to London telegrams of the 24th, the Porte had asked France to send military officers to instruct its army, and England for competent financial administrators with a view to the reorganisation of Turkish finances. LOUISIANA. In obedience to the orders of Gen. Augur, the State Librarian who was deposed by the Nicholla Government on the preceding day was, on the 20th, reinstated bv tne Nicholla authorities. L. J. Barron, of Nachitochcs Parish, left the Republican House, on the 20th, and was sworn in and seated by the Democratic House. In the Republican Legislature, on the 23d, the House Committee, appointed to in quire into the charges made by Pinchback that members had been bribed br Sauer, a member of the House, to vote for Gov. Kellogg for United States Senator, submitted a report that they had examined under oath sixty-two of sixty-six members present, and every one had declared, distinctly and emphatically, that he had not received money or any other consideration to vote for Kellogg. The committee state that the evidence given satisfies them that improper influences were attemp ed, but not by Sauer, and not by any one in the imereat of William P. Kellogg. The testimony was referred to the Judiciary Com niitiee. At a Cabinet meeting, in Washington, on the 23d, a statement was submitted by Col. Burke, on behalf of the Supreme Court appointed by the Nicholla Government, and protesting against any interference with them, or any recognition of the appointees of the Packard Government. The statement concludes by affirming that the latter cannot be recognized and put* in office by the President without recognising the Packard Government, since the Judges holding over, Howeir, Wyly and Morgan, have made no claim under this right, but assuming that these Judges would consent to hold court pending toe controversy, how could they be reinstated without a recognition of the Packard Government and prejudicing the cause of the Nicholls Government, pending investigation thereon by Congress, toe proper department to determine toe controversy? On the 24th, the Louisiana Republican House passed a resolution expressing full faith and confidence in the President of the National Senate, and requesting the Senators and Representatives of Louisiana to oppose toe passage of toe Electoral Compromise bill. On the preceding day Gov.. Packard addressed a note to Gen. Augur, saying he was iliformed that parish officers, holding commissions e t Nicholls, took pos*«*«*o« of toe offices in Ouschita Parish, on Jan. 17, in violation of the state quo. Gen. Augur called Gov. Nicholls’ attention to the complaint of Packard. Nicholla replied

that he would bare the matter Investigated and the ousted officials reinstated. CONOBKfiMONAI.. In the Senate, on the 19th, the House bill making appropriation, ior the Consular and Diplomatic service of the Government for the fiscal rear ending June W, 1878. was amended and peeved. A bill was br reduced for the relief of settlers on public lends under the l’re-emptlon lews. Daring the discussion of a resolution Introduced by Mr Wallace In regs d to tbe count of the Electoral vote, Mr. Bogy said “ the character of Packard in New Orleans waa that of an Infamous rohber." which aentlmcut waa applauded In the gallery on the right of the Chair, whereupon the Sergeent-at-Arras was Instructed to and did clear the galleries on the right of the chamber. Meaara. Sherman and Morton, In snbaeqncnt remarks, spoke In defense of thecharsc’erot Gov. Packard The reootf of the Con'erence Committee on the bill making appropriations to defray certain deficiencies In the contingent fund 6f the Honee Wav agreed t 0.... In the Motive, a resolution waa adopted, without division, discharging William Orton from the custody of the Bcrg ant-at-Arms. J. Madtaon Wells and Tboe. C. Anduraon were brought before the bar of the House, and answered a question propounded by the Speaker to the effect that they would rather postpone further answer nntll the remaining members of the Board aball arrive in Washington. The report of the Conference Committee on the Contingent Fund Deficiency bill waa agreed to. In toe Senate, on the 20th, the message of the Preeident in regard to the occupation of Petersburg by tbe military on election day was discuvsad by Messrs. Withers and Morton, after which the bll.t reported by the special committee In regard to the Electoral vote WM taken up. and Mr Edmonds had read the twelfth article of tbe Constitution, which article the bill proposed to execute, and he then entered Into a lengthy argument in support of the MIL explaining Ita provisions. Tbe credentials of Wm. Pitt Kellogg, me Senator from Louisiana, signed by a. P. Packard as Governor, were presented and referred. Petitions were presented in favor of woman suffrage....ln the House, the reaoln* tion reported from the Committee on Privileges and Elections relative to the powers of the House In counting the Electoral vote was further considered. Mr. Payne, Chairman of tbe special committee on the Electoral vote, gave notice that he should, on tbe 23d, ca'l up the bill reported fiom the committee, the debate to continue nntil the evening of the 84th, when he should cajl for the previous que-tion. The Indian Appropriation bill was considered in Committee of the Whole. Bills were introduced in the Senate, on the 22d—to provide for the distribution of awards made under the Convention between the United States and Mexico; to organize the Territory of Oklahama, and for the better protection of Indians therein; granting a pension to the widow of the la'e Gen. F. P. Blair. Mr Morton spoke at considerable length in opposition to the bill to provide for counting the Electoral vote. Mr Blaine was sworn in to fill the vaaancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Morrill, of Maine.... Bills were in reduced in the House—to establish a coart for the trial of contested elections for the offices of President and Vice-President; to regulate the dis ribution of trodps in the District of Columbia; to reform the civil service. A mot.on to suspend the rules, and pass a joint resolution to amend the Constitution by providing that no claims shall ever be allowed or paid by the Government for §roperty used, consumed, injured or destroyed uring the late war. unless it belonged to persons who were loyal to the Government, was lost- yeas 125. nays 72—less than two-thirds in the affirmative. A message was received from tbe President in reply to the inquiry regarding the sending of troops to Petersburg, Va. Petitions were presented in the Senate, on the 23d, from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and St. Louis, praying the passage of the bill, reported from the Joint Commiitee, providing for the counting ot the Electoral vote. Mr. Sherman then made a lengthy argument in opposition to the bill for countiug the Electoral vote, and was followed by Mr. Conkling. who spoke in its favor. Mr. Edmuuds gave notice that he would call for a vote on the bill on the 24th.... In the House, Mr. Buitz was admitted as a member from South Carolina. A repoit was ir.ade from the Committee on Election Frauds in New York, relative to the alleged tampering with Mr. Hewitt’s mail In the Postofflce in that city, completely exonerating Postmaster James and his subordinates from all blame in tbe matter, and declaring that no each tampering had occurred. The resolutions reported from the Committee on the Powers and Privileges of the House in coanting the Electoral Vote were farther debated. I The credentials of Senators-elect Windotn, of Minnesota, and Bailey and Harris, of Tennessee, were placed on file in the Senate, on tbe 24th. Consideration was then resumed ot the Compromise bill in regaid to counting the Electoral vote, Mr. Bargent"speaking against the measure. He was followed by Mr. Conkling, who finished his remarks began the day before in favor of the bill. Messrs. Morton, Morrill and Blaine spoke against the measure, Messrs. Bayard, Thurman, Christlancy, Stevenson and Howe support ing it, and at three o’clock a. m. on tbe 25th the Senate wag still in session... .In the House, the debate was continued ou the resolutions relative to the powers, privileges and duties of the House in counting the Electoral vote. A bill was passed to amend the existing laws in regard to National Go,d banks, the object of the bill being to allow those banks to iesne gold notes to the amount of ninety per cent, of their bonds to secure circulation, and to require those hanks in California to deposit with the Assistant Treasurer at San Francisco five per emit, of their circulation as a redemption fund. A resolution was adopted— 18 1 to 75—referring the recent message of the President to a sub-committee of elevtn.to inquire whether there had been an exercise of authority not warranted by the Constitution and laws in the use of troops for which the President was juetiy responsible. THE INVESTIGATIONS. [Compiled from Associated Press Reports, unless Otherwise Designated.) LOUISIANA. The Senate Committee met in New Orleans on the 19th, and, without transacting any business, adjourned to meet in Washington on the 24th. Gov. Wells, President of the Louisiana Returning Board, was examined ia Washington on the 20th, before the House Committee on the Powers, Privileges and Duties of tbe House in Counting the Electoral Vote, and said there was a vacancy In that t-oard which was not filled because the member* could not agree upon the man; Dr. Kennedy was proposed by the Democrats, bnta portion of the Board objected to him; there were four members acting as the Board, all of them Repnblicaus; they never resolved to reject or admit another person as a member of the Board; no vote was ever takeu on tbe admission of Dr. Kennedy as a member of tbe Board; it was several days after the Board had commenced examining the returns that Zacbarie, representing the Democrats, pretested against further proceedings unless the vacancy was filled; but the vacancy was n&t filled; witness said the result of the canvassers was made a matter of record, and the returns showed the number of votes rejected; bad no recollection whether the record he refused to produce showed the whole number of votes cast in Louisiana, and conld not recall that he knew a single man who voted contrary to hia wt-hes because of intimidation. Gen. Anderson, member of the Returning Board, testified that there was no objection to Dr. Kennedy becoming a member of th 3 Board because he was not a gentleman, hut because members did not approve of his aipointment; witness favored supplying the vacancy, and spoke to several persons* about taking the place: two-thirds of the votes thrown out were for Tilden Electors; a great many affidavits charging intimidation and fraud were swom to in New Orleans, but the majority were sworn to outside ol that city; when asked if he meant to say that in eyery instance where a vote was rejected the return, when the Board obtained possession of It, contained either a statement of the suspension of the electiou, that there had been intimidation, or an affidavit to that effect; witn ss replied in the affirmative, saying there had been intimidation, or fraud. or some illegal praclice; such statements and affidavits he believed were in the office of the Secretary of Slate of Louisiana; he thought the Kellogg Electors received 75,000, and the McEnery Electors 71,00) votes. United States Marshal Pitken was examined by the Morrison Committee in Washington, on the 22d; he said money was not paid out of United States tends to witnesses brought to New Orleans, Mid whose testimony was used by the Returning Board; he paid United States witnesses in the usual course; the number of paid special deputies employed bv him was 840, their duties being in New Orleans;'they received pay for only one day, except seventy-fire paid for ten days; about 1,500 special deputies acted In other parts of toe State, bit received no pay. OREGON. 1 Col. William T. Peltoo testified on the 19th that be did not recollect telegraphing Senator Kelly on the Bth of November last that Tilden must have one Electoral vote from Oregon, and Kelly woald be depended upon to see he obtained the vote, while he would furnish the means. • • J. W. Lasnell, one of the Oregon Democratic candidates foe Presidential Klector at the

late election, testified before tho Senate Committee on Privileges end Elections on the tad; he went to the macting of the Oregon Electoral College becanre he understood the Republican Electors were going i‘ to take the Klec’oral certitle tea from Cronin by force; wlincas understood Secretary-of-State Chadwick to say. as he handed the envelope containing the certificate of the Elector* to Cronin: “Gentlemen, here si yonr certificate*he heard the Republican Elector* ask Crouin for their certificate*, sod Cronin replied: “I will tee hell freeze over before 1 will give them up.” Mississippi. Merry man L. Howard (colored), of Jefferson County, and Mr. Richards (colored lawyer). of Claiborne County, testified to Intimidation to prevent colored Republicans from bolding political meetings. Tbe former said he left the State fonr daya before the last election, as be considered his life in danger; was still afraid be would be klllrd should be return to bis home at Fayette. The latter tta'ed that fully one-third of the voters In Claiborne Comity were denied registration by fraudulent means, the Republicans of that connty being thoroughly intimidated; election day passed quietly in the county. W. D. Gibbs, a lawyer from Yazoo Connty, testified be was candidate for Presidential Elector at the late election in Mississippi on the Democratic ticket; canvassed ten conntirs, making political speeches in them all, and claimed that the great change in tbe vote of Missi sippi since 1872 was caused bv a change of political sentiment among the colored voters; had heard that Intimidation bad been resorted to In the State to Influence voters, but he never saw anyt thing of the kind himself. J. S. Burton, of Marshall County, testified, on tbe tad, tha* he is a Southerner by birth, was in the Confederate army, and is a Republican; tbtaks tbe Democrats carried the elections of 1875 and 1876 in Mississippi bv intimidation: that is. they threatened not to employ colored men who should vote the Republican ticket; where tbe Democrats have control, they se**k to break down leading Republicans by having them unjustly indicted. Before the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, on the 24th. Mr. Lea, Republican candidate for Congress In First Mississippi District at the late election, testified that the Democrats carried his State by fraud and intimidation.. SOUTH CAROLINA. Beverly Nash (colored), of Columbia, S. C., was before the House Sonth Carolina Committee on the 22d, and testified that he was one of the Hayes Electors; also a mem her of the Senate; that, on the day the Electors met, L. D. Childs, President of the South Carolina National Bank, told him that if he could get three Republican Senators to go over to the Democrats and seat the claimants of seats from Lanrens, Edgefield and Abbey vilie Counties, he could get money for so doing—slo.oo l for each one secured. “Then,” said Childs, “there is the Electoral vote; If yen will agree to vote for Tilden you can get SIO,OOO now and $40,000 more as soon as the thing is consummated.” Witness declined the offer. A Columbia (8. C.) telegram of the 23d says: “ Col. L. D. Childs. President of the Carolina National Bank, of this city, makes affidavit denying the statement made by Senator Nash yesterday before the Congressional Investigating Committee, at Washington, to the effect that he (Childs) attempted to bribe him (Nash) to cast his vote for Tilden. Childs says he made no proposition whenever to Nash relative io casting the Electoral vote, and that he never hod or knew of any money applicable to such purpose.” Mr. Nash, of Columbia, reiterated his testimony on the 24th as to the alleged attempt to bribe him to cast his Electoral vote ior Tilden, etc.; he said Childs had asked him to say nothing abont the conversation they had in relatlou to the money offered, bnt that he (witness) had said he should say nothing except what was true. THE HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE. Oswen D. Roberts, Cashier of the Second National Bank, New York, exhibited two certificates of deposit by Z. Chandler—one for $3,000, the other for $2,000; they were made payable on his own order or the return of the certificates; the indorsement read: “ Pay S. B. Packard or order. Z. Chandler." G. W. Partridge, Private Secretary of Z. Chandler, produced copies of letters, which were privately examined by the committee; two of the letters were read and put in evidence; they were written by J. B. Stockton, at NeW Orleans, Nov. 11, and were to the effect that if steps were taken immediately, the affidavits of 10,000 or 12.000 Republican voters could be obtained, showing they were deprived of the exercise of ba'lot oy violence and intimidation; the writer was Chief Deputy-Marshal: he says: “If you could send a trusty person here with funds, or authorize some one to draw for snch sum as may he needed to have proper testimony taken thronghont the bull-dozing parishes, such testimony could be piled up of frands and outrages so damnable as to preclude the possibility or any President taking his seat who was elected by snch frands.” The other letter was dated Greensboro, Nov. 29, and was from T. B. Keogh, in which he says, addressing Z. Chandler, that he had done what he could toward getting up evidence of illegal voting in North Carolina, and that a fair count would snow the election of the Repnblican ticket. He was so crippled in means that he could not afford to tarnish the means of establishing the fraud. Several o*her letters of similar nature on the political situation were read.. The witness said telegrams sent from and received by Z. Chandl r were destroyed; did not think there was anything in them about famishing money or troops. Thomas Joinder, the telegraph operator at Franklin, N.C., remembered bearing messages going throngh: so far as he could remember they were signed Chandler and addressed Thomas B. Keogh, and were to the effect; “We think Hayes is elected, but, if possible, hold your State.” and “ We think Hayes is elected, butwish to add your State.’’ Gen. Eilpatrick testified, on the 22d, that be went to North Carolina upon his own suggestion, bearing an introductory letter from Z. Chandler; had a conversation with the Governor of the State and ihe Chairman of the Re publican State Committee, ihe substance being that there should be an investigation as to the manner in which North Carolina was carried for the Democrats; had no instructions to use money or to resort to other improper means to influence the resnlt. George S. Fisher, o> Georgi ■ , temporarily residing in Washington, testified that he made collections for political purposes, at the instance of the Republican Congressional Committee, in the Postoffice and War Departments, Sixth Auditor’s office and the Government Printing Office, and paid the money over to the Treasury of the committee, less five per cent., which he kept a* pay for his services; abont $25,<*00 werq collected; other persons also made collections; the list of the names of tbe contributors was destroyed, but it contained names of two heads of deoartment; contributions were voluntary: only ten or twelve clerks of proDably twelve hundred applied to declined to contribute; did not know anybody was discharged for not contributing. On the 24th, the Committee on the Powers, Duties and Privileges of the House in Counting the Electoral Vote examined a number of Philadelphia employes of the Western Union Telegraph Company. Henry O’Neil testified that, on the 7th, Bth, 9th and 10th of November, he received messages from Secretary Cameron, W. K. Kembler, W. Mackay, Mr Doy and Major Morris, to be sent to Florida, bnt did not recollect the names of the persous to whom they were sent. Remembered that a telegram sent by Mackay spoke of a party in Bedford whom he had seen, and abont sending a special messenger to Florida, but remembered nothing abont money or troops.

A Snow-Bound Family.

A case where a family was literary snowed in and not able to hold communication with their neighbors for nearly a week has just come to our notice. On Saturday last two of our citizens who had been attending a turkey shooting match in South Brighton, having more fowls in their possession than they cared for, determined to present a pair to an invalid friend who lives in the neighborhood. They accordingly drove in the desired direction, and after considerable plowing through immense snow-drifts and an upset or two, reached the premises, which extend a considerable distance in front of the house. But on arriving it was found there was no path to the house and ingress seemed impossible. One of the gentlemen, however, after nearly a half-hoof's floundering through the drifts, succeeded in beating nis way in with the greatest difficulty viy taking the top of the -fence aa a support. On reaching the house it was with difficulty that he could ascend the front steps, owing to the drifted snow. His arrival was hailed with satisfaction

bv the family, which was then composed of only the invalid gentleman ana his daughters, who explained that they had been thus mowed In for nearly a week, having been totally unable to hold any communication with their neighbors, as the road waa comparatively untraveled and the houses were far apart. They said, however, that they bad not suffered, as a good supply of hams, mackerel, salt pork and cider remained in tho cellar. They had found it useless to attempt to shovel their way out, as tho drifts were so high and the house was so far back from the road. On the 1 following day two men and a plow were dispatched by their visiters to “shovel them out.” — Jiocheeter (N. Y.) Exprett.

Report of the Congressional Joint Electoral Committee.

Washington, Jan. 18. The following is the report of the Committee of the Senate and tlsc House of Representatives appointed under the several resolutions of those bodies to prepare and report such measure as may bo best calculated to accomplish the lawful counting of the Electoral votes, and the best disposition of all questions connected therewith, and due declaration of the result. The committee say that they have considered the subject named in said resolutions, and have had full and free conference with each other thereon, and now report the accompanying bill and recommend its passage. The committee continue: * We have applied the utmost practicable study and deliberation to the subject, and believe that the bill now reported is the best attainable disposition of tbe different problems and disputed theories arising out of the late election. It must be obvious to every person conversant with the history of the country, and with the formation and interpretation of the Constitution, that a wide diversity of views ami opinions touching the subject not wholly coincident with the bias or wishes or members of political parties, would naturally exist. We have in this state of affairs, chosen therefore not to deal with the abstract questions, save so far as they are necessarily involved In the legislation proposed. It is, of course, plain that the report of the bill implies that, in our opinion, .legislation may . he. hail on the subject In accordance with the Constitution, but we think that the law proposed is inconsistent with a few of the principal theories upon the subject The Constitution requires that the Electoral votes shall be counted upon a particular occasion. All will agree that the votes named in the Constitution arc the constitutional votes of the States, and no other, and when they have been found and identified there is nothing left to be disputed or decided. All the rest is the mere clerical work of summing up numbers, which, being done, tbe Constitution itself declares the consequences. This bill, then, is only directed to ascertaining for the purpose and in aid of counting what are the constitutional votes of the respective States, and whatever jurisdiction exists for such purposes the bill only regulates the method of exercising it. The Constitution, our great instrument and security for liberty and order, speaks in tbe amplest language for all such cases, in whatever aspect they may be presented. It declares that the Congress shall have power, to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by the Constitution in the Government of the United States, or any department or officer thereof. The committee therefore think that the law proposed cannot be justly assailed as unconstitutional by anyone, and for this reason we think it unnecessary, whatever may be our Individual views, to discuss any of the theories referred to. Our fidelity to tbe Constitution is observed when we find that the law we recommend is consistent with that instrument. The matter then being a proper subject for legislation, the fitness of the mearfl proposed becomes the next subject of consideration. Upon this we beg leave to submit a few brief observations: In all just Governments both public and private rights must be defined and determined by the law. This is essential to the very idea of such a Government, and is the characteristic distinction between free and despotic systems. However important it may be whether one citizen or another shall be the Chief Magistrate for a period preserved upon just theories of civil institutions, it is of far greater moment that the will of the people, lawfully expressed iu the choice of that officer, shall be ascertained and carried into effect in a lawful way. It is true that in every operation of a government of laws, from the most trivial to the most important, there will always be a possibility that the result reached will not be the true one. The Executive officer may not wisely perform his duty; the Courts may not truly declare the law, and the legislative body may not enact the best laws; but, in either case, to resist the act of the Executive, the Courts or the Legislature, acting constitutionally and lawfully within their sphere, would be to set up anarchy in place of government. We think, then, that to provide clear and lawful means of performing the great and necessary functions of the Government in a time of much public dispute is of far greater importance than the particular advantage that any man or party may in the course of events possibly obtain. But we have still endeavored to provide such lawful agencies of decision in the present case as shall be the most fair and impartial possible under the circumstances. Each of the branches of the Legislature and the Judiciary are represented in the tribunal in equal proportions. The composition of the judicial part of the commission- looks to a selection from different parte of the Republic, while it is thought to be free from any preponderance of supposable bias and the addition of tbe necessary constituent part of the whole commission in order to obtain an uneven number is left to an agency the farthest removed from prejudice of any existing attainable one. It would be difficult, if not impossible, we think, to establish a tribunal that could be less tbe subject of party criticisms than such a one. The nrinciple of its constitution is so absolutely fair that we are unable to perceive how the most extreme partisan can assail it, unless he prefers to embark his wishes upon the stormy sea of unregulated procedure, hot disputes and dangerous results that can neither be measured nor defined, rather than upon the fixed and regular course of law that insures the peace and order of society, whatever party may be disappointed in its hopes. The unfortunate circumstance that no provision bad been made on the subject before tbe election has greatly added to the difficulties of the committees in dealing with it, inasmuch as many of the people of the country, members of tho respective political parties, will perhaps look with jealousy upon any measure that seems to involve even possibility of the defeat of their wishes; butit has also led the committees to feel that their members are bound by the highest duty in such a case to let no bias or party feeling stand in the way of a just, equal and peaceful measure for extricating tbe question from the embarrassments that at present surround it In conclusion, we respectfully beg leave to impress upon Congress the necessity of speedy determination upon this subject It Is impossible to estimate tha material lots the country daily sustains from the existing state of uncertainty. It directly and powerfully tends to unsettle and paralyse business, to weaken public and private credit and to create apprehensions in the mind# of the people that disturb the peaceful tenor of their ways and happiness. It tends to bring Republican institutions into discredit, and to create doubts of tbe success of our form of government and of the perpetuity of the Republic. All considerations of Interest, of patriotism and 0 1 justice unite in denud-

ing of the law-maktnc power a measure that wfll bring peace and prosperity to the country, and show that our Republican institutions are equal to any emergency, and In this connection we cannot refrain from the expression of our satisfaction that your committees, composed of equal numbers of opposing parties, have fortunately been able to do what has been attempted in vain heretofore—almost unanimously agree upon a plan considered by them all to be just, wise and efficient. We accordingly recommend tbe proposed act to tbe patriotic and just Judgment of Congress. “ kv r " ■ - (Signed) Gaoaos F. Kdhunus, PinnicxT. Fsstneittmx, Roscos Conklins, , A. G. TnimuAW, T. F. Batabd, M. W. Ran sow, Senate Committee. H. B. Paths, Est a HrjNTOir *•_. . j. ; " Abbax S. mbwitt. WilliamM. Srrinubs, Georsb W. McCbabt, Gzobob F. Hoax, Gbo rub Willard, House Committee. Senator Morton is the only member of the committee who did not sign the report. The bill proposed by the committee is is substance as follows: Section one provides that the Senate and House shall meet in the hall of the Haase of Representatives on the 14th of February; four tellers shall have been previously appointed—two by the Senate and two i>J tho House—to whom *bsll be banded, as they are opened by the President of the Senate, all tbe certificates and papers purporting to be certificates of Electoral votes, which certificates and papers shall be opened, presented, and acted upon in alphabetical order of the States, beginning with “A.” and said tellers, having then read the same tn the presence and hearing of the two Houses, shall make a list or votes as they shall appear from the said certificates, and the votes 'having been ascertained and counted, as in tats act provided, the resnlt of the same shall be delivered to the President of the Senate, who shall thereupon announce the state of the vote and the names of the persons (if any) elected, which announcement snail he deemed a sufficient declaration of* persons elected President and Vice-President of the United States, and, together with a list of the votes, he entered on the journal of the two houses. Upon such reading of any such certificate or paper, wnen there shall be only one return from a State, the President of the Senate shall' call for objections, if any. Every objection shall be made In writing, and shall state clearly and concisely, and without argument, the ground thereof, and shall be signed by at least one Senator tfnd one member of the Honee of Representatives before the same shall be received. When all objections so made to any vote or aaper from any State shall have been received ana read, tne Senate shati thereupon withdraw, and such objections shall be submitted to the Senate for its decision, and the Speaker ot the Honse of Representatives shall in like manner submit snch objections to the House of Representatives for its decision. and no Electoral vote or votes from any State from which but one return has been received, shall be objected 10 except by the affirmative vote of the two houses. When the two houses have voted, they shall Immediately again meet, and the presiding officer shall then announce the decision of the question submitted. Section two provides that, In case more than one return or paper purporting to be the return Iron* any State shall have been received by the President of the Senate, unless they shall be duplicates of the same returns, all each returns and papers shall be opened by him In the pre ence of tue two houses, and read by the tellers, and all such returns and papers shall thereupon be submitted to the judgment and decision, as to which is tbe true and lawful Electoral vole of snch State, of a commission constituted as follows, namely: During the session ot such House on tbe Tuesday next preceding the first Thursday in February, 1877, each House shall by viva voee vote appoint flvo of its members, who, with five Associate Justices ot the Snpreme Court of the United States, to bo ascertained as hereinafter provided, shall constitute a commission for the decision of all questions upon or in respect of such doable returns named in this section. On the Tuesday next preceding the first Thursday in February, A. D. 1877, or as soon thereafter as may be, the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States now assigned to the First, Third, Eighth and Ninth Districts shall select, in such manner as a majority of them shall deem lit, another of the Associate Justices of said Court, which five persons shall be members of said commission, and the person longest in commission of the said Justices shall be Pres* ident ol said commission. The members of said commission shall respectively take and subscribe to the following oath: “I (blank) do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will impartially examine and consider all questions submitted to the commission of which I am a member, and a true judgment give thereon, agreeable to the Constitution and laws, so help me God,” which oath shall be filed with the Secretary of the Senate. When the commission shall have been thus organized, it shall not be in the power of either House to dissolve the same or to withdraw any of its members. (Provision Is here made for the fill ing of any vacancy which may be caused bv death or inability on the part of any member of the commission to act.) All the certificates and papers purporting to be the certificates of the Electoral votes of each state shall he opened in alphabetical order of the States, as provided in Sec. 1, and when there shall be more than one snch certificate or paper from snch States, they shall so be opened, and, excepting the duplicates of the same returning, they shall be read by the tellers, and thereupon the President of the Senate shall call for objections, if any. Every objection shall be made in writing, and snail state clearly and concisely and withopt argument the ground thereof, and snail be signed by at least one Senator and one member of the Home of Representatives before the same shall be received* When all each objections so made to any certificate, vote, or paper from a State shall hwe been received and read, all such certificates, votes add papers so objected to and all papers accompanying the same, together with snch objections, shall he forthwith submitted to the said commission, which shall proceed to consider the same with tbe same powers, If any, now possested for that purpose by the two bouses, acting separately or together, and by a majority of votes decide whether any and what votes from such States are the votes provided for by the Constitution of the United States, and how many and what persons were duly appointed Electors in such State, and may therein take into view such petitions, depositions, and other papers, if any, as shall by the Constitution and now existing law be competent and pertinent in snch consideration, which decision shall be made in writing, stating briefly the ground thereof, and signed by the members of said commission agreeing therein, whereupon the two honses shall again meet and such decision shall be read and entered In the journal of each house, and the counting of the votes shall proceed in conformity therewith, onlem, upon objection made thereto in writing by at least five Senators and five members of the House of Representatives, the two houses shall separately concur iu ordering otherwise, in which case such concurrent order shall govern. No votes or papers from any other State shall he acted upon nntil the objections previouslv made to tbe votes or napers from one State shall have been finally disposed of. Section three provides that while the two houses shall be in meeting, no debate shall be allowed, and no question shall be pat by the presiding officer. except to either house, or a motion to withdraw, and he shall have power to preserve order, Section four Is to the effect that when the two houses separate to decide upon an objection -or other question arising under this act, each Senator and Representative may speak to such objection or question ten minntes, and not oftener than once, but after such debate shall have lasted two hours it shall be the duty of each house to put the main question without further debate. Section five provides that the joint meeting shall not be dissolved until the count of tbe Electoral votes shall be completed and the resnlt declared, and mo recess shall be taken except a question shall have arisen in regard to counting any such votes, or otherwise, in which case It shall be competent for either house, acting separately, to direct a recess of such house not beyond the next day (Sunday excepted) at the hour of ten o’clock in the forenoon, and while any* question is being considered by said commission either hoasa may proceed with its legislative or-Other business. Section six provides that nothing totals act sh*H be held to Impair or affect anv rigßt now existing under the Constitution and laws to question, by proceedings In the Jndidal Courts of the United States, the right or title of the person who shall 1 a declared elected, or who shall clafan to be President or Vice-President of tha United Siafee If any such right exists, . ' - Tint total number of polls taxed in Massachusetts last May was 418,770, a reduction of 5,000; the total valuation of personal estate, $507,000,000, a loss of $22,500,000, and tbe smallest since 1871; the total value of real estate, $1,268,000,000, a falling off of $48,000,000. The total taxation for all purposes wrA $24, 772,000, a reduction of $8,000,000 since 1875, and $4,000,000 flince 1874. There were reported 127,897 horses, a loss of 2,000. And 150,120 cows, a slight gain over the two previous years; also 201,902 dwelling-houses, an increase of over 5,000, and the highest number ever reported. Baltimo&b has trebled its population in thirty yean.