Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1879 — General News Summary. [ARTICLE]

General News Summary.

nt«M wjuuuncproa. Av th* Cabinet meeting in Washington, on "the 7th, .all the sombert were present except P. M.-Oen. Key. It it said all present expromt gratification at the success so far attending the resumption of specie payment, and saw no reason why it should not be main* tained auccesafully. Bec’y Sherman called attenWoato the fact that the Treasury then held Urge amounts of gold, silver and greenthan there was any lmme- ( Ar Washington, on the morning of the Bth, Hob. Julian Hartridge, Democratic RepreMutative from the First Georgia District, died of pneumonia. Ox the 9th, Charles Thompson, Principal Chief of tire Cherokee Nation, and several delegates from that tribe, and also from the Creeks and Chickasaws, called on President Hayes. Chief Thompson and P. Porter, of the Creeks, made brief speeches, stating that their people were in a prosperous condition and ware opposed to the transfer of the Indian Bureau to the War Department. In bis reply, the President said the points presented by the delegations were being considered by the Government, and that, so far as he was concerned, he would do all be could to have the views and wiahaa of the Indians carried out. Above all, he would see that the treaties with the Indians should be faithfully observed by the Government. Sec’y Schurs, Commissioner Hayt and Inspector Hammond were present during the interview. Ox the 10th, the Potter Committee, on moths of Mr. McMahon, adopted a resolution ordering an investigation of the “ cipher telegrama,” and requesting the House to grant an additional appropriation for expenses. Hox. Gustav Schleicher, Representative in Congress from the Sixth Texas District, died at Washington on the night of the 10th. His disease was originally malarial fever, which was followed by erysipelas and then paralysis. This makes the seventh death among Congressmen during the present Congress, and the fourth since the present session began. Ox the 10th, the Judiciary Committee Of the National House of Representatives resolved to appoint a sub-commlitee to investigate the charges against Judge Blodgett, Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, with permission, if found necessary, to go to Chicago to take testimony. Proctor Knott was made Chairman of the sub-committee. Tn Secretary of the Treasury, on the 11th, issued another call for bonds to the amount of •10,000,000—98,000,000 coupon and H,000,000 registered—interest to cease on the 11th of April next.

warn mast. Tn Pennsylvania Legislature assembled, at Harrisburg, oo the 7th, and' perfected its bqgaoiintioa by the choice of Thomas B. Cochran as Clerk of the Senate, and H. M. Long (both Republic ins) as Speaker of the House. lx Joint convention, on the 9th, the Connecticut Legislature elected the Republican State ticket voted for at the late election. In his inaugural message, Gov. Andrews favors allowing women property-holders to vote on questions affecting property. Special telegrams from Camden, N. J. giving an account of the hanging there, on the lOtn, of Benjamin Hunter, for the murder of John M. Armstrong, report the execution to haye been a fearfully bungled affair. The victim died a most horrible death. One account says: “Surrounded by men drinking whisky from flasks, and smoking the vilest tobacco, he was actually strangled to death by two Deputy Sheriffs, who seized the rope (the weight having proved insufficient to suspend the body), and swayed the body back and forth as if taking delight in their work. The place was turned into a holiday picnic, and there was no solemnity about the scene.” Tax following were the closing quotations for produce in New York, on Jan. 11th: No. i Chicago Spring Wheat, [email protected]; No. 2 Milwaukee, [email protected] Oats, Western Mixed, 30@31J<c- Corn, Western Mixed, 46@47)<c. Pork, Mesa, •[email protected]. Lard, fib. 12 HFlour, Good to Choice, »3.95@ 4.50; White Wheat Extra, [email protected]. Cattle, fi9.so@ 10.00 for Good to Extra. Sheep, fi4.so@ 5.50. Hogs, •3.50@:170. At East Liberty, Pa., on Jan. 11th, Cattle brought: Best, •4.50@4 75; Medium, 53.87 @4.30; Common, [email protected]. Hogs sold— Yorkers, [email protected]; Philadelphia, 93.00@ 3.10. Sheep brought [email protected]—according,, to quality. ... At Baltimore, Md., on Jan. Uth, Cattle brought: Best, 94-37J<@5.25; Medium, •[email protected]. Hogs sold at »[email protected] for Good. Sheep were quoted at [email protected] for Good.

WMMT AMD SOUTH. Ths Louisiana Legislature organized, on the 6th. J. C. Moncure was elected Speaker of the House. The Senate re-elected the old officers. The Legislature of Tennessee, on the 6th, elected John R.‘ Neal Speakercf the Sanate, and H. P. Fowlkes Speaker of the House. The Nevada Legislature effected a permanent organization, on the 6th, by electing the ReputAican caucus nominees in both houses. The State Legislature, of Minnesota, was organized, on the 7th, by the election of the Republican caucus nominees for officers of the House. In the Senate the Republican caucus nominee for Secretary and his assista»J_wcre elected, but the Democrats and Greenbackers united and elected the other officers. The Nebraska Legislature was organized, on the 7th, by the election of C. H. Matthewson for Speaker of the House, and Sherwood Blair as Secretary of the Senate. The Wisconsin Legislature met at noon, on the Bth. The organization of the Senate was effected by the election of Senator. Price as President pro tan., and Charles E. Brass as Secretary. In the House, D. M- KjeHy waselected Speaker, and John Eldred, Chief Clerk. The Republican caucus nominees for the minor offices in both houses were elected. On the 9th, the Legislature of Illinois perfected its organization. In the Senate, Mr. Hamilton was elected President pro tem., and J- H- Paddock, Secretary. In the House, CoL William A James was elected Speaker, and W. B. Taylor, Clerk. The Republican caucus nominees for the minor offices In both houses were elected. ■. The Legislature of Missouri was organized, on the 9th, by the election of the Democratic caucus nominees, the Republicans voting .with the Democrats. A MAX named Clark Hubbard, bls wife and two children, «■ rarie west from Sherman, Tex., were frozen to death near Pilot Point, !■ that State, a few nights ago. J The Legislature of Indiana was organized, the 9% by the election of D. D. Dale as Secretary of the Senate, and H. 8. Cauthorne, Speaker, and W. Dixon, Clerk, ot the House. Dtmixo the night of the 9th, the Cheyennes imprisoned at Camp Robinson, Neb., "rh*aWsa,'aEßt’'ShW' the guard, and made their escape into the surrounding darkness. immediately followed in and thirty-live were recap- "*• as many more more or kniZf ot ““ I<Jr *^i were misdng zwcuauq KWWOBOded,

Two Indian Chiefs—White Owl and Quit-Ti-Trumpa—were hanged at Pendleton, Ore., pn the 10th. They were dressed in full Indian costume, and preserved, throughout, the stoicism of their race, both dying with the deathchant cm their lipa Jambs McMaxVs, of Davenport, lowa, while handling a revolver, supposed to be empty, on tjie morning of the 12th, shot and killed his sister Mary, sixteen years of age. Ix Chicago, on Jsu. 11th, Spring Wheat No. 2 dosed at 83@83><c cash; for February; 84X C f° r March. Cash Coni doee.l at 99« c for No. 2; &)Xc for February; 34>fc for May. Cash Oats No. 2 sold at lOJic, and 90c seller February. Rye NcmA 43Xc- Barley No. 2, 96X@97c for c*sfis9Bc for February. Cash Mess Pork dosed at >7.75® 7.80. Lard, »5.70. Beeves —Extra brought [email protected]; Choice, 94.20 @4.40; Good, [email protected]; Medium Grades, •[email protected]; Butchers' Stock, »[email protected]; Stock Cattle, etc., [email protected]. Hogs—Good to Choice, [email protected]. Sheep Poor to Choice, [email protected].

fokkihm nmuiuxoi. According to Vienna dispatches of the 6th, Russia had promised to evacuate Bulgaria and Roumelia on the Ist of April. The French Government has given notice that it will abrogate all commercial treaties on the Ist of January,-1880. The Pope is said to be considering the project of calling a n4w Ecumenitgd Council. According to London telegrams of the 6th the distress throughout the country was idly increasing. At Manchester, on the 33; there were 8,000 applications from heads of families, representidg 13,500 persons, to the Relief Committee, and, on the sth, 4,000 fresh applications. During the week, 1,200 families had been relieved at Wolverhampton, and many at Sheffield. According to London telegrams of the 7tb, the miners In South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, to the number of 6,000, had struck for better pay. The wire-workers at Warrington had also struck against a proposed reduction in wages. On the evening of the 7lh, the King of Holland was married, with great pomp and ceremony, to the Princess Emma, of WaldeckPyrmont. The Russian authorities have proclaimed a strict quarantine in the District of Astracbanbecause of the prevailing plague. There had been 400 deaths in the district up to Jan. 4. The golden wedding of the Emperor and Empress of Germany occurs on the 11th of June. On the Bth, they gave notice that they did" not desire personal gifts on that occasion, but they would be gratified if the money sueh gifts would cost be devoted to charitable purposes. There is a lively agitation throughout Germany upon the tariff question, Bismarck having become an avowed protectionist. The Kharkoff Veterinary School and the Kiel! University, in Russia, have been closed in consequence of the riotous demonstrations of the students. The Consett Iron Works Company, the largest makers of shiji-plates in England, employing 6,000 hands and owning, nine collieries, has been forced to suspend operations in consequence of the prevailing business depression.

St. Petersburg dispatches of the 9th say the plague had reached the Government of Earatofln. At Naratzln 173 deaths had occurred, and the mortality was estimated at 10 per cent of the population. A tremendous snow storm prevailed throughout France, on the 9th. Telegraphic communication was interrupted, and trains were blockaded, all tidings of some of them being lost. . • On the 9th, the Pope published an encydfca letter calling upon all Bishops to combat So cialism, Communism and Internationalism by vigorously preaching the principles of the Church. Dox Espartero, Duke of Vittoria, the celebrated Spanish statesman, died at Madrid, on the 9th. Another great snow-storm prevailed throughout Scotland, on the 9th and 10th, destroying telegraphic communication and seriously interrupting railroad travel. In Ireland it assumed the proportions of a hurricane and did great damage to shipping and buildings. Ex-President Grant reached Paris on the evening of the 10th. ..The Sub-Committee of the French Chamber of Deputies on the acts of the Broglie-Four-tou Ministry, on the 16th of May last, have’ decided upon impeachment. The new French Cable Company proposes to lay two cables, one from Cape Brest to Cape Cod, and the other from Land’s End to Nova Scotia, both by way of St Pierre. According to Berlin telegrams of tl|e 10th, the negotiations relative to the preventions of collisions at sea had resulted in the formulation of a code of regulations which had received the ascent of a majority of the Powers interested, and which would shortly be incorporated into international law, by convention. According to Calcutta dispatches of the 12th, inform'ation had been received of the occupation of Candahar by Gen. Stewart -It was also stated that lYacoob Khan had been officially informed of the terms on which peace could be secured, and that they were neither burdensome nor humiliating. The library of the Birmingham and Midland Institute, at Birmingham, Eng., containing. Kl/.’eiU'oJatsss, of - w-irieh 8,000 related td Shakespeare, was burned, on the 11th. A tremendous gale occurred on the Biscayan Coast on the lltb. Many small vessels were destroyed and over seventy lives were lost. / V

COXURESHIOXAL rROCEEDIXGS. A large number of petitions were presented in the Senate, on the 7th, many from women asking that effect be given to the AntiPolygamy law of 1862, and others protesting against the so-called - Patent Law” bill, and against the transfer of the Indian Bureau to the War Department.... Bills were introduced—for the interchange of subsidiary silver coin and United States notes; to authorise the taxation of outstanding legal tenders; to authorize local taxation of United States notes.. . . Mr. Edmunds offered a resolution declaring that, in the judgthe Senate, the Thirteenth Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution have been legally ratified, and are as valid as the other parts or the Confutation;- that-it is the right , and of Congress to en--foree ’ Such amendments by appropriate legislation; and the duty of the Executive Department to faithfully and impartially execute sucq laws, and the duty of Congress to appropriatemoney to that end; and instructing the Judiciary Committee to. report a bill for the protection of the rights of citizens and the punishment of inf notions thereof. The resolution was laid on the table, at the request of Mr. Edmunds, to be called up hereafter. In the House, bills were introduced—to include newspapers, periodicals and proof-sheets in mail matter of the third class; for the admission of Dakota as a State; extending the tune to pre-empton on public lands who have •gP 6 ™*prairie.fires.... A resolution reciting the charges of gross misconduct and corruption awunzt J“ d ee Blodgett, Of the District Court Tor Northern Hhnoia. and instructing the Judi. ciary Committee to inquire'into Judge Blodgett’s official conduct, was adopted The death of Messrs. Douglas, of Virginia, and Williams, of Michigan, were announced, and the House, in respect to their memory, adjourned. In the Senate, on the Bth, Mr. Grover, rising to a personal explanation, denied the charges made against him relative to the misappropriation of the public funds of Oregon while Governor of that State ...The business of the Senate was interrupted by a message from the House, announcing the death of Representative Hartridge. A committee of three Senators was appointed to accompany the body of the deceased to Georgia, and the Senate then ad- - —— In the House, official notice of the death of Representative Hartridge was taken, and a committee of .seven was Appointed to accompany the remains to Georgia.... The House then adjourned. A large number of petitions were presented in the Senate, on the 9th. many of them being in favor of the bill granting arrears -of pensions.... The Indian Appropriation bill

was reported back from eommittee, with amendment* ... A resolution to accept an invitation from the House to attend the funeral of the late Representative Hartridge wae adopted. ' I In Ute House, a resolution was adopted that the funeral aervioes of the late Mr. Wrtridge should be held at three p. n,.. and inviting Benatorn to Attend . No legislative business was tnussnoted.... A large attendance wns present during the funeral ceremonies. A bill wu introduced and referred in the Senate, on the lOt h. to provide for an additional bounty to soldiers of the War of the Rebellion.... The Indian Appropriation bill was amended and passed ~. Adjourned to the 13th. In the House, in Coqunittee of the Whole an exciting debate occurred on the William and Mary College bill, and when reported to the House the bill was rejected—yeas, 67; nays, 197 a number of Northern Democrats voting against, and a few Republicans for, the measure. The bill appropriated ♦66,0.0 as H reimbursement for the destruction during the war of the William and Mary College in Virginia, and had been pending in Congress for a number of years. The Senate was not in session on the 11th. After the leading of the journal in the House, the death of Representative Schleicher, of Texas, was announced, and a committee of seven was appointed to accompany the remains of the deceased to Han Antonio. The House then adjourned, as a further mark of respect. ►.

THE TELLER IXVESTIG ATION AT MKW ORI.EAMH. The United States Senate Teller Investigating Committee mot, in New Orleans, on the 7th, all the members being present. J. Ernest Breda, of Natchitoches, was sworn, and testified that he served during the war in the Second Louisiana Regiment; had been a Republican since 1H71; had been a stump-speaker, but did not take part in the Inst campaign, having been driven Away fmm home on the 22d of September. After ’the adjournment of a Republican meeting held cn the 2d of September, witness and his brother started homo on horseback; bad gone about TOO yiirds, when at the corner of a street a body of armed cavalrymen opposed their passage; pistols were drawn, and strong language used; witness and his ■brother took to the woods, and remained there until the next day, when he was informed by his uneie, a former Mayor, that his (witness 1 ) house was to be attacked, and his uncle wished him to s-irr- nder; this witness refused to do, and he wns told that If he and his brother would leave the place within two hours the house and property would be respected; they left, and remained in the woods until the 25th of October, and hearing that they were to be hunted with bloodhounds, they , left tot Shreveport -onthe 31 at of October. Witness stated that there was no lawlessness among the negroes—they hardly dared strike back, but were murdered like sheep’; they were ground down, and could not even sell their crops under their own names. Witness said there are 1,700 white and 4.000 colored voters in the parish, and there are more white men who vote the Republican ticket than blacks who vote the Democratic ticket; the Democratic majority In the recent election, as given in the official Journal, was 2,900- No prosecutions against fraudulent voters were being carried on in the State Courts. Dr. Breda was sworn, and corroborated the testimony of the previous witness. V. A. Barron testified that he was Sheriff of Natchitoches up to 1876: he gave an account of the meeting of the 21st of September, and testified as to the proceedings c-f-tlie band of armed men who obstructed the streets. Witness left town and took to the woods; was subsequently told to leave the place; the reason given him was that the Democrats wished all the Republican ■leaders to get out of the way; he was told he could return after the election. 1. G. Lewis (colored), of Natchitoches. Testified,' After the adjournment of the meeting of Sept. 21, his house was broken into by a party of men armed with rifles and revolvers; he hid In some thick weeds in the back yard; the party threatened to kill him if they could And hint. Raford Blount (colored), of Natchitoches, stated that he was a man of property in the parish, and was driven away on account of his influence with the colored race, an influence he had always ex ereised against the Democratic party; he said the lawlessness iu hie parish was due.jsolsly_tapnlfeticians, aa respectable pecq 1 • -were not in favor

Messrs. J. D. McGill, Lucien Bland and J. M. McGill, residents of Tensas Parish, testified that tbey-believed the negroes were Intimidated to such an extent ae to prevent the election of the Independent ticket; they also believed that frauds were committed by stuffingthe ballot-boxes. Witnesses were candidates on the Independent ticket. J. N. Mitchell, of Tensas Parish, testified, on the Bth, concerning armed bands from other parishes and from Mississippij-he heard a great many things, but knows the reports were ex aggerated; he said, In fact, If you iiftjuire rigidly into many stories you will find not a word of truth In them; armed hands did some things which witness could not approve; they threatened Bland and Douglass with an attack; witness heard the leader of the military, Capt. Cain, say, “ The white man shall rule;” there was hostility between the negro and white manFleming Branch (colored) testified that he wae at Fairfax s house Oct. 12, when Peck’s pnrtv came; was in the room with Fairfax when rushed in and fired twice at Fairfax, who rushed out of the back door; another negro named Senator, standing there, -was shot down; Peck knelt upon him and fired five shots into him; Mr; Goldman shot witness through the right arm; Peck was shot and killed by some one in liis own party; Fairfax did not fire a shot; witness and a number of colored people took refuge In the bushes because they were frightened; Fairfax was an upright mau and a Republican, and witness supposed he was attacked on account of his politics. Daniel Kennedy was sworn, and his testimony corresponded with that of Branch; he said that on the Tuesday following the attack on Fairfax, the killing of negroes began; witness was acquainted with many of the persons who were killed, and named~ltveT—tr was rumored thaireFghtywere' killed; witness had never heard that anybody was called to account for the shooting at Fairfax's house. Viola Wallace and Rebecca Ross (both colored) ugave testimony similar to that of Branch and KenGed Ralston (a planter) testified that he ran for the Legislature on an Independent ticket in Tensas; the candidates on the Independent ticket were all Democrats; witness stated that the outrages iu the parish had a bad effect upon the laborers, and many of them had left the parish; he bad but little personal knowledge of outrages. E. C. Ruth (colored); of Tensas, stated that he was a Justice of the Peace. Two hundred colored men in his ward were forced to Join the Democratic Club, and then received certificates entitling them to protection. K. J. Walker (colored), of Tensas, stated that from fear of personal trouble he published a card in a parish paper advising the negroes to support the regular Democratic ticket.

On the 9th, William D. Robinson, of Tensas, testified that he Was a Democrat, but was election; saw no outrages committed; saw a body of fifteen armed men at the polls on election day, under Hardbaro, Deputy Sheriff; thinks intimidation frightened the negroes so much they staved awav from the polls, and that if the negroes had voted they would have had a majority of 1,000. J? R. Loscey. of Tensas, stated that he was one of the posse, tit Sheriff-Register summoned to disperse the negroes, whom, it was ware massing at Boss’ place, for the purpose of attacking Waterproof; Register had about forty armed men; on the way they heard that the negroes had massed,’ and that firing had commenced between them and the advanced guard of two men; order was then given to advance and fire; the firing was down in the direction of where the negroes were supposed to be massed; the negroes were in their quarters, aud when one volley was fired they dispersed; two or three negroes were wounded; don’t think any were killed. Frank Watson (colored) testified that he lived eight miles from Waterproof, and was told by a Democratic frieud that the place was getting too hot for him: that he had better clear out; he ran away, having left his partly-gathered crop to take care of itself. That day there were fifty or sixty armed men from Ouachita in Waterproof; saw them put • a rope around a negro boy's neck because he would not answer a question they asked him; witness hid for nine days in the woods, and then went to Plaquemine; did not think it would be safe for him to return. ———- Other colored witnesses testified to a general Intimidation of negroes in Caddo Parish, and that ~th';. l . L i:.U ! :2WW.».vgc.JJlted.iiK*.r-totOffelcvtlGif'<lay'’ after the voting was over.

Ben Williams and William Harper, of Caddo, testified, on the 10th. corroborating the testimony of previous witnesses as to violence and intimidation in the parish, and placing the polls at out-of-the-way places without due notice, thus preventing colored men from voting. A. H. Leonard. District Attorney, testified that prior to the election he was told by prominent Democrats that they meant to carry the election: that when asked how they wpuld do it. in view of the fact that the negro voters were greatly in the majority, they repju d that the negroes would vote the Democratic ticket; later a fixed determination on the part of the Democrats to carry the election became evident, and intimidation was resorted to; witness then ave an account of the meeting at Spring Ridge, w here a joint discussion had been agreed upon, but he said the Republican speakers were interrupted and insulted by the. Democrats with profane and abusive language, aud the Republican leaders had toleavc the meeting, as their lives were in danger had they resented the insults heaped upon them: witness'was afterward told that they (the Republicans) were to be killed if they held another meeting; he then detailed various acts of violence, .threat and fraud. H. C. Rogers, L. Templeman, G. A. Slmplemati and J. Shepherd, of Caddo, were sworn, and their testimony was. in substance, a deiiial of the statements or previous witnesses of intimidation by Democratt; they, asserted that where there were any troubles, the negroes wdre the aggressors. When a farmer finds fowls one year behindhand—that is, living this) year on, what he will raise next —he should at ohee Call a halt anft begin a new system of living. Live within his means and establish a sinking fund*— that is, save a little each year to reduce the suspended debt. ““lowa Slate Register. - ' ...