Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1877 — EPITOME OF THE WEEK. [ARTICLE]

EPITOME OF THE WEEK.

>■ Micwbci mEwunnc mews. p.i. iwn.n Waut. Doited SutM Navy, on the retired lint, died in Washington n few days ego. He had been in bedlkeeKfcfor a tang time. Man. Kin 8. Oum haa entered mitt u Waabington against the Hon. Sinon Ouneron for breach of promise of marriage a year ago,, laying her damages at $50,000. She la about thirty-five or forty years of age, and is mid to be a* widow from Pennsylvania. She is employed in the Ttatnury Department Mr. Cameron is nearly seventy-eight yean of **«■ D. L. Moodt has published a card to the effect that the contributions for the family of P. P. Bliss have been so liberal that, with the addition to what he left, they are well provided for, and collections should cease. A. Varna dispatch of the 9th says the Chief of the 8t Petenborg Press Bureau had been dismissed by order of the Cssr, because he permitted the newspapers to nee language detrimental to peace and tending to disturb the relations with friendly foreign Governments. It is also staled that Russia had ordered the mobili■jrtim of three more army corpe to operate on the Upper Danube In the event of war with Turkey. Tnn proceedings against Gen. Belknap in the Criminal Court of the District of Oolnmhla, upon an Indictment charging him with bribery, have been dismissed, a nett* prat, having been entered by the DtatriM Attorney, with the approval of tiro President and the Attorney-General. A Greensboro (N. U.) dispatch of the 9th to the Internal Revenue Bureau at Waabington, says that, at a trial of a distiller before the United States Commissioner in Henderson County, on the Bd, twenty armed mounted men attacked the court, fatally wounding the Deputy Marshal and the defendant Other officials escaped. A Belgrade dispatch of the 10th says the Servian Ministry and the Turkish Savoy had agreed on a basis of peace. A London dispatch of the 10th says forty Yarmouth and Lowestoft fishing vessels, with 900 persons on board, were missing, and were believed to have been wrecked. Vessels had been sent out to search for them A London dispatch of the 11th says the British coal-owners had resolved to import cheap labor from China. A Calcutta dispatch of a recent date says a gunpowder explosion had occurred at Adhemabad, by which fifty persons were killed and 100 wounded. Bmi«.Amn»Ai. Thkodobous Ballet, of the United States Navy, died at Washington on the 10th. A Hone Hone dispatch of a late date ■ays the Chinese Government had absolutely refuaed to sanction the farther employment of Chinese Coolies in the Spanish Colonies. This decision had dis forbad the amicable relations existing with Spsia. The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company are reported to have paid the Widow of L. C Crain, of New Haven, Conn., $5,175. Mr. Craip was killed at Ashtabula. Thb Supreme Court of Utah has overruled the exceptions taken to the rulings and sentence of John D. Lee, the Mountain Meadows murderer, and ordered the Second District Court to fix another day for the execution. Counsel have given notice of an appeal to the United States Supreme Court. Reports laid before the Dominion Parliament show that the trade with the United States, during 1876, aggregated $76,000,009, the excess of imports over exports being $19,000,000. Belgrade telegrams of the 19th state that a new insurrection had broken out in Bosnia. The Russian authorities in Poland had distributed printed notices, threatening -with severe punishment ail Pates who should join the Turkish Army. The importation into this country from Germany of neat cattle and hides of neat cattle has been prohibited until further orders, because of the rinderpest prevailing In Germany. Tut Acting Secretary of the Treasury has issued the thirty-ninth call for the redemption of 5-90 bonds of 1865, May and November. The call is for $10,000,000, off which $7,000,000 are coupon and $8,000,000 registered bonds, the principal and interest to be pud at the Treasury on and after the 19th of May next, interest to cease on that day. At Omaha, a few days ago. Caroline Lambert, aged 101 years, while dressing a awe arm with kerosene, spilled some of the oil on her clothes, which she accidentally ignited. She was burned almost ton crisp, and died soon after the acd-deuLi-,-,:.;-ii; The Republican State Convention of Michigan, to nominate one candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court and two for Regents of the University, to be voted for at the State election in April, baa been called to meet at Lansing on the 7th of March. It was stated in London on the 18th that a treaty had bom signed to permit the pamage of Russian troops through "xSSL has hem recently transmitted to the Boston Globe from Salem, Mam., by tire telephone, the Salem reporter’s voice being easily recognised In the office in Boston. This is the first instance of a press report being orally transmitted, nod shows the uses to which this

wonderful invention may in the future be p«*- t : jr T t Pnrrr-rrvE lives were lost by a recent explosion in tin Graisssssac Coal Mine, ? o*•'0 *•' Col. Gordon, the African explorer, hsa been appointed Governor of the Egyptian Province of Soudan. According to letters recently received in London from an English physician with Mukhtar Pasha’s army in Tfsbinje. the Turkish troops were in a dreadful condition on account of the lack of hospital accommodations. From twenty to thirty soldiers were dying daily from dysentery and typhoid fever. A RECENT Washington telegram says a bill had been drafted to meet substantially the recommendations of the President in his recent special message with regard to early specie payments, and. submitted to him, as it probably would be to the Committee of Ways and Means. Its provis ions differed in several respects from the suggestions of the President, but there was reason to believe that he would not seriously object to the changes. The south-bound passenger train on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad was ditched seven miles north of Little Rock, Ark., on the morning of the 14th. The fireman was killed and the engineer badly hurt. The accident was caused by some one tearing up a rail.

FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. Friday, Feb. 9.—A bill was introduced Is the Senate, to authorise and equip an expedition to the Arctic Sena, according to plane suggested by Cap?. Mowgato. A bill was passed to encourage and promote telegraphic communication between America and Europe, a line to be constructed with the American end at Baltimore. The amendment* to the For ill cation Appropriation bill were Indited upon, and a Conference Committeewaa ordered....Bill* were paaeed in the Honae -providing for a diatribailon of award* made in convention between the United States and Mexico; the Defldencv Appropriation bill. Majority and minority report* were made, ordered printed and recommitted, from the Special Committee on Louisiana Affairs, the former concluding with a resolution declaring that thn Democratic Electors received a majority or the vote* in Louisiana; that iht pretended canvass sod compilation of the vote for Electors by ihe Board of Betsmlng OBoars was wtth.mt authority of law. fraudulent and void, and that the vote of that State cannot be coanted for Hayes and Wheeler without the confirmation and approval of the illegal and frandnleut action of said Retaming Board. Tne minority report recommends Um adoption of a resolution declaring that the Republican Electors have been elected In Louisiana, and that the election waa examined into, determined, declared and promnlgat d by the proper authorities of said State under all f rms of law and in compliance with the Constitution of the United Stales. Saturday, Feb. 10.—In the Senate, the objections submitted by Mr. Field to the decision of the Electoral Commission in the Florida case were read, and, after debate, an order that tbe Senate do not concnr in snch decision was defeated—yeas. SB: n*'t,44—and a resolnton waa theu adopted ei to 88, a strict party vote—indorsing the Commisston'a decision, notwithstanding the objections made thereto.... In the Mouse, the Senate amendment* to the Indian and tbe Military Academy Appropriation bill- were non-conenrred in. A lengthy dtacaseion occurred on a motion to take a recess pending tbe consideration of the objection t tbe decision of tbe Electoral Commission in tho Florida case, and snch recess was finally decided npon- IBS to tub—until len o'clock on the morning of the 18th. The objection* to the decision Interposed in the Honae are to the effect that the Commission refused to receive competent and material evidence tending to pr ve that the action of the Florida Returning Board was corrupt ana f readnleut, and In disregard of law, and with intent to defeat the will of the people; ihat the Commission refused to recognize the right of the State Courts to review tne action of the Board, and that the decision all evidence tending to prove that all the departments of the State Government had decreed as frandnleut all action of Gov. Stearns sndthe *tate Cauvassersliy which tbe Electors recognised by the Commission had been certified to, etc. Monday, Feb. 19.—A resolution was submitted, in the Senate, providing for the arrest of Conrad C. Jourdan, Cashier of the Third National Bank of New York, he having failed to appear before the Committee on Privilege' and Elections end produce theaoconn s with that bank of Samnel J. Tilden, Wm. T. P-lton and A- 8. Hewitt... .In the House, a resoln'lon was adopted so amending the rales that, pending the count of the Electoral vote, and when the House Is not engaged therein, it shall, on assemb ling eve-y calendar day after recess from the dav preceding, proceed at twelve o'clock with its business as though the legislative day had expired by adjournment—provided that the counting of the Electoral votes sha.l not be interfered with under the resolution. Tuesday, Feb. 18.—The credentials of D. T. Corbin, as Senator-elect from South Carolina, signed by D. H. Chamberlain as Governor, were presented end placed on file in the Senate. An amendment to the rales was agreed to providing that, daring the session of the Electoral Commission, each calendar day, when lesralative bosine-* shall have been tnnsac.ed, snail tie treated as such, and <be journal* of the two houses of Congre-a shall be kept and dated. The resolution providing for the a rest of Mr. Jourdan, Cashier of tbe third National Bank or New York, was agreed to. A Conference .Committee was appointed on the Ind an Appr. priation bill. „. In the House, the Senate bill to encoorage telegraphic communication between the United States and Europe was passed, as was alse the Senate resolution that each calendar day shonld be conatde e<i as a legislative day, and that the journal of the day before should be so dated. The report o( the Committee on the hlection in Florida, declaring that the Tilden Klecots had been elected In that State, was con leered, Mr. Purman taking part in the debate and declaring his belief that the Tilden Electors were traiy elected in bis Bto # (Florida). Mr. Wood burn (Nevada), a member of the Committee, took issue with Mr. Par-man, and declared that the Hayes Electors had been duty elected. Wednesday, Feb. 14.—1 n the Senate, bill* were passed—removing the political disabilities of Joseph K. John-Urn, or Virginia; providing far tbe preparation and publication of a new edition of the Revised S,states ot the Un ted States; appropriates fTft)o to pay the expenses of the Electoral Commission. Tne bill to amend the Pacific Railroad act, so as to create a sinking fund for the liquids ton or Indebtedness due the Government o- the Pacific Railroad Companies was considered and amended .. In t * Home, the Navnl Appropriation bill (*IX4-7.884) was considered in Committee of <b* Whole. The majoti y res -l»tion relative to the Florida election, declaring the T 1 den Electors duly elected in that State was adopted—l4B to 88—a party vote, with the exception of Pnrman, who voted In the affirmative.

' THE ELECTION INVESTIGATIONS. LOUISIANA. The Senate Sub-Committee on Louisiana Affsirs h*d A. B. Lrrlsee, an alleged ineligible Hayes Elector, before them on he 9th: in th* course of his examination the eritneas said that a proposition waa mnda for a consideration to cast his Electoral vote tnrSamnrl J. Tilden: on the 4th of Decern »«r witne«e wa* at the residence of Mis. Ba-iow. in New Orleans; had dined oat, and w.a returning homo, Mn Bartow -nd her daughter being present; one of them gave witness a note, asking him to meet C. W. Johnston at Cassidy's Hotel on important butiness. witness the next d.y met 8. M. Arhnr, a Shreveport hanker, at Cuddy's: witness entered Into a 1 ngthy account of an alleged attempt mode to bribe him to cut nia vo e for t'tldqn, he (witness) pretending to negotiate with the would-be bribers, bnt Inal*, ing npon t Qo,< Uj •a the coostdenUioD, 8180,000 being offered, wit neeart the same tint* reporting progress to Mar-? shall Ptik n. Jndge Cowan, OonnseMortiwDeidoc otic party before >he Louisians Returning Board, testifiedtb the Honae Committee that* *WM affidavit* dated Nov. 18. wore rec ired by m*il from DeSotoParish Nov.Si: aekt-d Abell.tbe Clerkof the board, when those affidavits had been received, and the cleft <epHed Nov. 18; a minute S'r-.'SS I “ nothing; 1 ' witness then rook <he receipt book, and found AKII had rhmged the date of the receipt from the 18th to the 96th: the affidavits were all rcorn to before Wolflary,

the Clerk to the Court In New Orleans. Cap’. C Irvine Uttiy. of Eaitimorc, testified that tW reputation of J. UMa.ld tz aa In truth and vefacitv among cltia ns of Baltimore is Dot good; wUnee* Would net believe hip Under oath; If adoex'a rfmutafion for honesty is not very good Hi her BamuelM. Hhoemaktr, Resident Manager of the A times Express cJtnpsny at Belli more, testified that be knew Maddox by sight; Ms reputation for i ruth and veracity I* bad; witness would not believe Mm under oath. Jobn F. Mulberin, a Clerk of the Louisiana Return ng Board, testified before tbe Hons* Privilege* Committee Oft the 10th that tame *ffi davits were made by Clerk* of tbs to the cotnnttlngroem; don't kpow wither Ihej were used; most any name waa signad to affiikvlts; Dec. 8 witness saw with Littlefield and MnJ. Eaton a slip of paper containing the total of tbe Electoral vote; the majority on these f the Democrats waa about 4,000; saw afterward that a change had been made to tbe figures; saw Littlefield take from a desk a paper and make aome erasures about a quarter of an nofir after conversing with Gov. Welle; about tbe beginning of December changes were made on the at stem *r t of the El* torsi votes by order of Judge Davis; Littlefield told witness be had fixed the Parish of ‘Vernon, bnt he did not say which way or in what manner he had fixed It; saw alterations made bv some Ctorks on consolidated statements from different parishes: witness changed one himself; tbe < :hanxe* were that, if the first Elector had SOS vote* and tbe third Elector 810, the Clerk* were directed to Increase the latter to number of the first; afidavits made np by the Clerks purported to give accounts of violence and intimidation at the polls. E. H. Hardesty, of Baltimore, fortified before the House Privileges Committee, on tbe lStb, that he would not belle vs Mr. Maddox under oath. R. M. Compton. State Treasnrer of Maryland. James A. Buchanan. R. H. Mitchell and William A. Fisher, all of Baltimore, tea tilted to Maddox's good character, and elated that the latter a reputation for truth and veracity was good. James Pelletier, of New Orleans, testified that he was a waiter at the restaurant where on Sunday. Dec. 8 members *nd Clerks of the Returning Board dined, aad that he everheard conversation between Wells, Ander son and Littlefield; he heard Wells say, Inrenly to a question by Littlefield, that ne matter If Tilden had IOO.Odu majo tty In the State, the vo e would be given to Hayes anyhow, and that he (Welts) did no: care what wonld become or tbe State. Z. Chandler, Secretary of the Interior, wad called by the House Committee on the Powers, Privilege*, etc., on the 14th, and produced papers relating to the resignation and application tor reappointment of Orlando H. Brewster, the Louisiana Elector; he said he supposed Brewster's letter of resignation, dated Nov. 4, was received Nov. 18 or IB: did not know whether be received it from the President or not; did not know it was ante-dated, and was not aware Brewster bad testified bimself that he wrote it Nov. 14; it ia tbe practice oi the Department to accept resignations as oi time past if tendered in that mannsr. FLORIDA. In the House Privileges Committee, on the 9th. ex-Gov. Steams, of Florida, was called to the stand, and replied to questions by Jndge Lawrence that he never received or sent any telegram saying that we (meaning tho Republicans) most have Louisiana, Florida and South Carolina, by fair means or son); never received a telegram from any body outside the State requesting him to send couriers for returns which must be made to show s majority for Hayes; witness gave Frank Sberwin no di-patch to anybody in which troops were asked for; the dispatch from W. E. Chandler, '-Bismarck ought to come here at once." was sent to C. D. Willard, Washington, and had reference to railroad matters. The Committee on the Powers, Privileges and Duties of the House examined Gov. Stearns, of Florida, on the 10th; be stated that about Nov. 13 he sent a dispatch to the President to the effect that prominent men of the opposite party had arrived in considerable numbers, and he felt he needed the advice of tbe prominent men of the Republican party; no reply waa received; witness telegraphed Secretary Chandler at New York for troops; the dispatch was more In the nature of information, and was sent In r. ply vo a telegram from the Secretary; Gov. Drew, shortly after nis inauguration, telegraphed to Gen. Rnger for troops. MISSISSIPPI. C. M. Shelton, of Hines County, Miss., testified before the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, on tbe 13tb. to the effi ct that he is Chiinnan of the Democratic Committee; haa no knowledge of duplicate ballot-box keys being furnished Democratic Judges of Election; knew of the exi-tence of armed Republican clubs daring each political campaign since 18.0; thinks the colored people were honestly convinced, previous to the election of 1875, that they would best subserve their own interests by voting with the native white people of Mississippi. OREGON. The Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, on the 14th, examined Alfred fi. Hinman and A. W. Shaw, of Detroit, Mich., who have had business transactions with J. H. N. Patrick, of Omaha. Neb., and who communicated wi'h Mm by telegraph In cipher for some years. The key to tbe cipher nsed by them is “ The Household English Dictionary," and by the aid of thl* key they had made a translation of tbe disnatehes relative to the Oregon Electoral ca»e, which translations show an effort or desire on the part of J. H. N. Patrick. James K. Eellev and o tiers to purchase one of the Republican Electors In the State to act with Cronin to secure a majority of the State Electoral College.

COUNTING THE ELECTORAL VOTES. The Commission reassembled in open session at eleven o'clock on the morning of the Bth. The Presiding Justice announced that proceedings were in order under the decisions of the Commission on tbe previous day. One of the Democratic counsel called a witness and began u question in respect to the quo warranto proceedings in Florida, when Mr. Evarts, of Republican counsel, objected to tho question, as not wi bin the order of the Commission The 6bjec ion was sustained. The Republican* then called F. O. Humphreys, the alleged ineligible Elector. Afier identification, the Democratic counsel presented Humphrevs’ commission as Shipping Commissioner at Pensacola, and the certificate of too Court that no resignation had been filed np to Jan. 84.1877. Mr. Hemphreys testified that he resigned hie office, and that it was accepted on the 6 h of October by the Jndge who conferred it He presented a written acceptance signed by Judge Wood. He had turned over the book* and papers of his office and had no exercised its Inactions since. No farther evidence being otfered. Justice Clifford a inonoced that the whole case wu ready for argument Thn Commission wa* then addressed by Jndge Hoad ley, Mr Green and Mr. Merrick for the Democrats, and Messrs Shellabarger and Evarts for the Republicans, after which th* Commission adjourned. The Electoral Commission were in secret session, on the 9th, from ten a. m. until half past eight p. m. continuously, with the exception or two short recesses. -Almost the entire time w os occupied with the debate, in which every one of the fifteen members or the Commission participated, and 'he discussion, from Ite commencement to its close, is understood ro have been one of extra- rdinary power and ability. At six p. ro.. the debate being ended, Senator Edmunds submitted a resolution declaring, in substai.ee that the f-.ur Republican Electoral votes of Florida should be conuted. Mr. Honton moved as a substitute that the four Democratic Electoral vo.es be counted. This was defeated—ayes. 7; noes, 8. Mr. B intnnds theu withdrew his resolution, and Mr. Garfield offered one declaring that the Kepnblican Electors were dnly appointed and that the votes cast by them for President and VicePresident were the votee provided for by the Constitution of the United States.. This re-olu->ion was adopted by the following vote: Yeas— Bradley, Edmunds, Frelinghuyven. Garfield, Hoar, Miller, Morton and Strong-8. Nave—Abbott, Bayard. Clifford, Field, Uuaton, Pawn* and Thurman—7. Messrs. Edmunds, Bradh-y ana Miller were appointed a eomaaiite* to draft a report of the aecir-ton of ihe Commission, with a brief statement of the reasons therefor, to he transmitted to the iolnt session of the two booses. The Electoral Commission, on the l&h, certified to the Senate its decision in thecae* at Florida, aa follows; “That it is not competent, under the Constitution and law, as it existed at the date of the passage of the act constituting the Commission, togo into evidence aliunde the paper* opened by (fa* President of the Senate in the presence of the two houses to prove that mlnailon and. declare ion ot their appointment by the Board of State Canvassers prior to the tone required for th* pwformance o their duties. Lad oeen appointed Electors, or by counter-proof to show they had not; and 'hat au proceedings of Courts, or acta of tbe Legls stare, or of the Jtiecatiwi of Florida, sabseqaeat to the casting of ths vo’esof Electors on th* prescribed day. *<• iaadmiasUra for any snch nuffose. la respect to the question raised as to the rligtniQty of Humphreys, ihe Commission is of the opinion that without reference to the question ot

the effect of the vote of an Ineligible Elector, the evidence doe* not ehow th*. a of Snipping Commissioner at the > were appointed. Tbe Gemini* U4ta« consequence of the foreground* before stated, Stalther of ortlngto be certll' ott* of the f Florida are the certificates or or by the Constitution of the United Statee, and they ought not to be counted aa such.” In Joint aeeslon, Mr.' Field ia betuilf of th# Democrat*, rabmltiffil formal objection* to th* decision of tbe Commission, and tbe two booses separated, in accordance with the provisions of the act creating tbe Commleeloh, to consider them. The Senate, after debate—by a vote of 44 to 88—resolved that the dado ton of the Commission npon th* Electoral vote* of the State of Florida stand aa the lodgment or the Senate, the objections made therein to the contrary notwithstanding, and th* Secretary was instructed to notify tie Ilou-e thereof. The Honae Wok a recea*until the llth. Tfre House, on the 12th, resumed tho disease tow upon the objections to the decision off the Commission In respect to Florida, and, after a somewhat acrimonious debate, voted not to concur. The Joint session was resumed at 8:85 p. m. The announcement of the decision of each house was made,and the presiding oßcer said: *• The two bosses not concurring to ordering otherwise, the. decision of tbe Coromtesion will stand unreverted" Th* to tors then announced the vote of Florida as cast for Hayes and Wheeler. No objection being made to the certificate from Georgia, its eleven vote* were cast for Tilden and Hendricks. Next followed In succession Illinois with Its twenty-one votes for Hsyee; Indiana, with Its fifteen vote* for Tilden; lowa, with Its eleven votes for Heyee, and Kentucky, wt>h it* twelve votes for Tilden. Then came the certificates from Louisiana, showing eight votes lor Hayes and Wheeler, signed by the Returning Board and duly authenticated by Governor Kellogg. Another certificate was presented, showing eight votes for Tilden and Hendricks, authenticated by McEnery, as Governor, and still another, showing eight votes for Hayes and Wheeler, and authenticated by Deslonde, Secretary or State. A burlesque certificate was also presented, showing that the Electors, all bearing the somewhat uncommon namo of John Smith, had met and cast their votes for Peter Cooper. Objections were made to the Hayes and Wheeler certificates by several Senators and Representatives, and these, together with the several certificates, were referred to the Electoral Commission, and the Senate retired to lie own chamber. The Electoral Commifleion reassembled on the 13th, to consider the objections filed aa to the Electoral vote of Louisiana. Mr. McDonald began the argument on ihe part of the objectors, followed by Mr. Jenks. On the part of the Republicans, arguments were made dv Mr. Hnrlbnt and Senator Howe. At tbe conclusion of Mr. Howe's argument, announcement was msde that Messrs. Carpenter, Trumbull and Campbell would appear for the Democrats, and Messrs. Evarts. Stoughton and Shellabarger for tbe Republicans. After a short recess, ex-Senator Carpenter addressed the Commission, speaking from five o'clock to nearly seven.' Without concluding, he gave way tor an adjournment until the following On the reassembling of the Commission, on the morning of the 14th. Mr. Carpenter returned and concluded his argument In the Louisiana case. Jndge Trumbull, for the Democrats, then offered to lntrodnce evidence of fraud In the Louisiana election, when the question arose as to Its admissibility. An order was finally adopted to give each side two hoars In which to argne that question. Mr. Trumbull then proceeded with his argument. At Its conclusion, Mr. Stoughton addressed tbe Commission in behalf of the Republicans. When Mr. Btoughton had concluded, the Commission adjourned.