Terre Haute Evening Gazette, Volume 6, Number 179, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 12 January 1876 — Page 1

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vot- 6.--NO. 179.

FU.nffiEJl PtSCUSSiOS i)l aMNEsiY B'ilL.

•fculliib

FOUTl'-t'OURrU CONURESfc.! of the letter. Mr. Hill replied that lie did not know. jMr. Piatt declared that ho

The Usual Batch of Resaluti n? Bill &c.

HOUSE.

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON SESSION.

Washington, Jan. 11.

Yesterlay's report Fnded abruptly in tne midst of Mr. Hill's speech. The following 13 a -contirmjtio.1 of speech:

During the whole three mouths of the Wirz trial tlie Federal Government with all the means at its disposal, had not produced a bingle witness to connect Mr. Davis with a single atrocity. Even on the day of his execution, Wirz had been offered commutation of his sentence if he would implicate Mr. Davis, but "Wirz' answer to bis counsel was: "Mr. Schade, yon know that I have always toid you that I do not know anything about Jetierson I»avis. Ho hud no connection with me as to what was done at Andersonville. I would not become a traitor against him or anyoody else, even to save my life." But, said Mr. Hill, what poor Wirz, within two hours of his execution would not say for his lira, the gentleman from Maine says to the country for the sake of keeping his party in power. [Sensaion.] Sir, Christianity is a falsehood, humanity is a lie, civilization is a cheat and the man who would not make any false charge tor his life was not guilty of willful murder.

Hill wnt on to argue that on the •O^io of Blain ^'e speech, holding Davis responsible lor the acts of Winder. President Grant might be held responsible for the acts of McDonald and Joyce, and he asked whether Blaine's logic might establish a rule of construction that would authorize the country to arraign Grant for complicity in the whisky frauds. WRS Mr. Grant responsible, he asked, for the Credit Mobilier, for Use Sanborn contract and the frauds on the District of Columbia and yet Mr. Grant had absolutely to go to the Senate of the United States for the confirmation for high office the name

a man (alluding to Al

exander R. Sheppard of Washington) who stood charged before the country, with the grossest peculations and frauds in this district after the charges had been made, and while they were pending. He (Hill)was neither author, ncr disciple of such political logic, but if the gentleman's (Blaine's) propsition with regard to Mr. Davis were true then by the same logic General •Grant, iustead of being entitled to a third term was entitled to twenty erms in twenty .penitentiaries [Laughter]

The argument was false. It was a libel on the American rules of law, and was without precedent. No precedent for it could be found in any civilizsd country. He (Hill) acquitted General Jrant of complicity in the whisky and revenue trends, and the facts sicquitted Mr. Davis with complicity with any •atrocity anywhere.

Mr. Hill proceeded to quote the law of the Confederal Governim nl on the subject of the treatment of prisoners if in in which it is provided that th« rations i'or the prisoners ot war shall be the same in quantity and quality as those furnisheu for enlisted men in the army of the Confederdey, that the law before said was psssed by a Confederate Congress, and was approved by Mr. Davis, and was j-o far as Mr. Davis' agency was concerned, executed. The gentleman from Maine has gone so. far as to say that Mr. ivis had sent General Winder to And*rsonville for the purpose of organizing a den of horrors. The answer to that was an order locating the prison, which Hill proceeded to read, and which provide that it shouid be in a healthy locality with plenty of pure water, a running stream if possible, shade trees, and in the immediate neighborhood of grist and saw mills. That, he said, did not look like organizing a den of horrors. Blaine had said that uo Confederate prisoner in the bands ot F« deral authorities had suffered, but that thev had always been allowed to buy wjatevfr they wanted, and the only answer he would give to that was that he, himself, once had the honor of being in prison in the North, and on the first day of his imprisonment, the officer in charge of of the prison had kindly informed him that he would put him on Auder3onville fare and would not allow htm to buy anything. He (Hill) only got released from imprisonment after ten day's effort before Gen. Dix, of New

York. He then proceeded to discuss the causes of the diseases at Andersonviile. He said that the firtfc tause wa wan« of medicine they did not have nodicine in the Confederacy and the daral Government had made medicine contraband of war, a thing which'no other country on earth has ever done before, not even had the Duke of Alva donesuch a thing, and even the general officers had received instructions to examine women passiuss through th© the lines, to search their petieoats even, so a9 to prevent them carrying medicine to the confederacy. Who, be asked, was responsible for that There was also another misfortune, and that was clothing. It of course had been made contrabaud of war. He declared whatever horrors had existed at A'tdersonville not one of them h*d attributed to a single order of the Confederate Government, and that everv one of them grew out of the necessity which waa fastened on the

Confederates by the conduct of tbeo.ner side. He challenged B'aine to meet him face to face and tacts to facts in the discussion ol tue question, declaring that the Aime was past when a county could accept imprudence of assertion for a force of an argument or recklessness of statement for the truth of history. He (Hilt) did not want to unfold the chapter on the other side. He was an American who honored his country, and his whole country, and it was not pleasant for him to bring forward- proof that any portion ot his country had b03ii guilty of a willful crime or willful maltreatment of poor manacled prisoners, most of these horrors were inseprable from a state of war, and he wanted the people to recollect that, so that hereafter they should not be carried into another war. Still as a set-ofl to the gentleman's [Blaine's] statement about Andersonviile, he would read some extracts from a latter written by a. confederals Burgwon, who was a prisoner •of the

war

at- Elmira he read portions 6f

that letter in which it stated that the .mortality of Elmira was no less than jit Andersonviile.

liJely false. ... Mr. Hill replied that he did not say that the statements were true, bin I only that they were as good as st«to4 I nicnts quoted on the other sulo. He mer ly us6d them ns a set on, but after all what was the test as to the degree of misery ,Bull«red in northern and southern prisons the list was the result. The report of Mr Stanton, Secretary of war—the Republican side of the Honswill believe hiexhibited the l'act that of the Federal prisoners in the hands of the Confederate authorities, during the war 22,570 had died, and that, of the Confederate prisoner*! in

Federal hands 1'6,437 had died. Surgeon General Barnes—ho supposed Republicans would believe him —also had given the number of Confederate prisoners in Federal hands during the war as 2M,000, and of Federal prisoners in Confederate hands at 270,000, therefore, out of the 270,000 prisoner.in confederate hand?, only 23.576 J.ad died, while out of the 220.000 of the Confederate prisoners in Federal hands, 2G 43G had died. The ratio was twelve per emit, of Confederate prisoners in Federal bands died, and less than 9 per cent, of Federal prisoners in Confederate hands, and my friend, (addressing Blaine with great emphasis,) who is the murderer? I would have believed Gen. Barnes in preference to any politician, even the gentleman. Piatt says he lives thirty-six miles away from Elmira. Perhaps he could have smelled the small-pox that far. He certainly could not have seen it,and I venture to say that if the smallpox was at the prison camp, uo one could have got him nearer than thirty six miles. 'Ho is a wonderful, witness. [Laughter.] But it is not equal to the mutilated evidence which the gentl man from Maine introduced yesterday. VVe know, however,prisoners that have suffered in Federal hands, if we choose to tell. Thousands of out poor fellows came home from Elmira, Fort Delaware and other places, with their fingers frozen off, and with their toes frozen off, and with tneir teeth fallen out but the great question is at last, who was responsible tor that state of things, aud that is really the only important question.

He went'on to discuss the history of the exchange of prisoners, stating that all the propositions from Confederates for the exchange and for the amelioration of the condition, of the prisoners .vere rejected by the Federal Government-.

Blaine asked him whether he had not been a member of the Confederate Senate.

Hill replied that he had been, Blaine then proceeded to quote a resolution oflered in the Confederate Congress by Senator Hill, ot Georgia, to the following effect: "That every person pretending to be a soldier or officer of the United States, who shall be captured pn tho soil of Confederate States after January 1st, 1S63, shall be presumed to have entered the territory of the Confederate States with the intent.to incite insurrection and to abet murder, and unless satiaf.ictory prooi be obtained to tho contrary before a military court-,before which his trial shall bo had, he shall suffer death". tie asked Hill if ho was author of that resolution.

Mr. Hill—I will say to the gentleman irom Maine very frankly that I have -lot the slightest recollection of seeing fc it before

Mr. Blaine—You do not deny it. Mr. Hill-I c?o not know. My own •pinion is that I never was the author •f that resolution but I have no recollection of it. If the gentleman can ive me the circumstances under which it was introduced, I may recollect.

Mr. Blaine—On the first of October, 1872, the Judiciary Committee of the Confederate Congress made a report

tndoffered

Aij& l-frk,'** fci«

it! 2 wichin thirty-si-X lOi.les ol EtThirft find that the statements were tiuiviaii-

a series of resolutions, and

thereupon Senator Hill, of Georgia, i9 recorded as having offered the resolution which I have just read.

Mr. Hill—I .was chairman of the Judiary Committee in the Senate, and very likely was chairman of the Committee on Rules, at the last session I may have consented to that report [fjau/bter.] at the expense of Mr. Blaine.

Mr. Blaine—Does the gentleman adrait that he made the report? Mi. Hill—I do not'know, but it is very likely. [Derisive laughter on the Republican side.j

Mr. Blaine—The copy which I have qaoted from is entitled "Republican ism in America." I wish to know whether tho gentleman was the authpr of that resolution?

Mr. Hill—I really do not recollect. [Resumed laughter on the Republican

SiMr. Blaine: (Pesristingly.) But the gentleman does not, say that be was not the author of it.

Mr. Hill: I don't but think I was not the author of it. Mr. Blaine: I thought that the g6ntlemau's effort was to show the humane character of the Confederate Congress this might aid him in remembering facts.

Mr. Hill: With all due deference to the gentleman, he did not think any such thing. [Laughter.] He thought he thought ho would divert me from the purpose of my argument.

Mr. Blaine: (Apologetically.) Oh, no the gentleman can have all the time he wants.

Hill: What measure the confeder ate government might have thought proper to takeat that time,|to protect the women and children of the confederacy from the insurrection, I do uot recollect-, but I shall not be diverted by the gentleman from the course of my argument, to go into the history of slavery or of the insurrection of John Brown's raid. I know this,that whether I or any other gen» tleman on (lie committee was the author of the resolution, and which I think more than probable, our pur pose wa3 not to do injustice to any man, woman or child, north or south but to adopt what was deemed strin gent measures to protect our wives and children from servile insurrection and slaughter, while our brave ions were in the field. [Murmurs ef applause on the Democratic side.l

Mr. Hill then continued his remarks in relation to the exchange of prisoners, and said: The Confederate government officially proposed, in August^ 1864, that if tlie Feueral gov— eminent would send sleatnets and transports to Savannah, the Confed erate government would return the sick and wouuded prisoners on its handawithout an equivalen' the proposiiion which was communicated to the Federal government in August

Mr. Plait asked who, .was thewthor i8M,^a|notawarded^ until Decern

iff

&£&& «l «.*'.

»r*v X*~c V^i

~&*J

ttr-fr-^^^

HAUTE, iND.: W LDISESLAY •ii—**—

ber, when some appropriations ^ers sent id Savannah* The record will show that the chief sufferinsr, the chief tnortality at Andersonviile, was bet weed August and Decern bet 1S64 We offered to allay that sufferiug by asking you t3 take your prisoners off our hands Withoar any equivalent aud without aBkingyour return of a man for tfiem, and you refused to do so.

Mr. Hill went on to quote a series of resolutions passed by federal prisoners at Ander-ionvilleon the 28 of September, 2864, in which all due praise is give to the Confederate Government for the attention paid to them, and in which it is said that the suffering which they endured Xtus not caused intentionally by the Confederate Government, but by force of circumstances commenlingon that, resolution.

Mr. Hilt said: Brave men are^always honest and true soldiers, ^ever slander, would believe the statement of the gallant soldiers at Andersonviile as contained in that rcs olution in preference to the whole tribe of Republican politicians. [Laughter on the Democratic side.] What can bu said of nuch people who regret such appeals from their own soldiers, aud even in response to that succor did not come? Why, he continued, were all these appeals resisted? Why did federal arbitrators refuse to allow their own bureaus to attend on their own soldiers vv.ieu prisoners of war, aud carry them medicine and comforts-.? Why did the Federal Government refuse to exchange prisoners, njan :or man, and officer for officer? Why did it refuse to stand up to its own solemn engagements made in 18(32 for the exchange of prisouert? Wiio is in fault? There mu-st be a reasou for this great atrocity, and it is the next poiut iu which I wish to call the attention of the House. Listen to the reasons of the New York Tribune: In 1S04, referring to the occurrences which I have related what the Tribuue said. I suppose you would believe the Tribune in 18iJ4,if you don't believe it now. [Laughter.] Iu August the rebels oflered to renew the exchange

Gaifield asked Hill what book he was reading. Hill replied that the volume which he was reading was the life of Jefferson Davis. [Derisive laughter on tie Republican side He asked Garfipld whether tie would say that that the telegram was not trne.

Mr.

Gal

field: 1 have not said a

word about the telegram I merely asked you what book it was. Mr. Hill: The extract in the book is taken from the New York Tribune of 1864 but here is General Graut's testimony before the Committe° the conduct

war, taken on the 11th

.»f February, 1865. Y- believe nun don't you. [Laughter.]. Hill here read General Grant's testimony bere t. I Committee expls in'nr why he was opposed to the change of pris oners, which was in effect the same as was given in the Tribune one senfence being jn these words: "I did not deem it adviseable or just to reinforce the enemy, and an immediate resumption of exchanges would have had that effect without any corresponding benefit." Hill then quoted a letter from Junius Henri Brown in tbe New York Tribune to the effect that General Butler bad stated in a speech at Lowell, Masschusetta, that he had been prompted by Mr. Stanton to put forward the negro question to complete the exchange of prisoners. Mr. Brown's comment on it being that Mr. Stanton was the digger of the unnamed graves which crowded tho vicinity of every southern prison of never to be forgotten horrors.

Hill then proceeded to sum up, and said, what have we proved? I have proved that the Federal authorities broke the cartel deliberately. I have proved that they refused to reopen that cartel when approached by Mr. Stephens as a commi sioner, solely on the grounds of humanity I have proved that they made medicine a contraband of war, and thereby left us to diead the necessity of supplying prisoners with such medicine as could be improvised lu the Confederacy. I have proved that they refused to allow the surgeons of their own army to accompany their prisoneis to the south. I have proved that the Confedrate authorities proposed to return your sick and wounded, without an equivalent, in August 1864 that you nev^r deigned to reply until December, 1864. I have proved that your high officers iu command gave as a reason why they would not ex» change prisoner?! that it would be humane to the prisoners but cruelty to the soldiers in the field,* It was a part of our military police to let your prisoners suffer rather than that the Confederacy should have an increase of its military force. I have also proved that with all the horrors which you have made such a noise about as occurring at Andersonvdle. greater horrors oc* curred in prisons where you held our troops,, and that the percentage of death was three per cent, greater among our prisoners in your batids.

When tbe gentleman from Maine rises again to give birth to that unmitigated effusion of genius without a fact to sustain it, in which he says, "and here before my God, meaning my words, knowing their full intent and import. I declare neither the deeds of the Duke *-f Alva in low countries, nor the thumbscrews and engines of torture of the Spanish in quisition begin to compare in atrocity with the hideous crime of. Andersonviile. Let me add to it, and the atrocities of Apdersouville do

not compare with tjhe

tbe

man for man.

General Grant then telegraphed the following importaut order: "It is hard on men held in southern prisons uot to exchange them, but is it. human to tHose left in the ranks to fight our battles. Every mau releaseb ou parole or ofherwisa becomes an active soldier against us at once, either directly or iudirectly. If we commence a system of exchange, which liberates all prisoners taken, we will have to light on until the whole south is exterrpinated. If we hold these caught they couut for no more then (ieq,d men, At tjjis par ticular time to release all the rebel prisoners north would insure Shera. mante-defeat--»od -cempromise our afety here."

K^JSfti-ING. ili

atrocities

Elmira, of Fort Douglass or .Jfai-t Deleware alid of all attrocltiesit-h-ue Andersonviile and EfmiraT thie Confederate

Government

quitted from

stands

responsibility and

blame, Mr Hill then quoted from a speech of Jtfferson Davis' to the confederate soldiers after retreat of Geo.

McCfoir

Ian from before Richmond, In which he said: "That the crowning gloiy of the soldiers was their humanity .'o

the

wouuded prisoners who had

fUlen into their hands." He also teferred to the ici that the Richmond Examiner, which Blains had nu^ed ye-iterday as authority against D.ivis, had stated that the humanity, aud generosity of Jefferson D.ivia would inevitably ruin the confederacy. The gentleman from Maint has "introduced that witness to prove, Davis guilty of inhumanity, and yet

witness .-aid th .t the humanity and generosi of D-tvis would ruin the Confederacy.

Mr. Hill also qir»fe I the following from t&e J&ichmoud Examiner: "The enecpy has gone from one unmanly cruelty to another, eucour' aged ly their impunity, till lhey are now and have been for some time, inflicting upon the people of the! country the worst horrors of barbarous and uncivilized war, yet in spite of all this, Mr. Davis in his dealiugs with the enemy, is as gentle as a tucking dove."

Otie of the worst presented charge* brought by the Richmoud Examiner and some others, against Mr. Davis, was bis humanity. Over and ovei again has Mr. Davis been heard to say, when appealed to., to retaliate for horrors inflicted on our prisoner —I will quote his very language: "The inhumanity of the enemy to our prisouers can be no justification for a disregard by na of the rules civilized warfare and Christianity, therefore he persisted in it, au'l this paper cried out against hirn, that he would ruin the confedcr icy. But why bring up such subject.- war is always horrible, war always brings hardships, death, eorrow, pain and devastation, and he is unworthy to be considered a statesman looking to the purification of bis country, who will parade the horrors inseperable from war, for the purpose of keeping up a strife which jproduced those horrors. My message to the gentleman from 'Maine is this: "Toere are no Confederates in thir bouse. There are no Confederates of ambitious desires or purposes in the house, btjt tbe south inhere, and here she intends to rtRiain. [Enthusiastic demonstration on the Democratic side and iu the galleries.] Let fan a t« iclsm do its worst, let it pass its nul lifying act trample on the constitution Rhregafe pledges, and farther exci(s raids on our people and multiply in the federal district until they shall be*like stars in the heavens, or the sands of the seashore, without luim ber, hut know you for al! your iniq quities the south will never again seek j« remedy in the madness of another necession. [Itenewed applause We are here, we are in our father's house, our brothers are our companions and we are at home, thank God, [Erhu*iastfe applause.] We come to gratify no vengeance, to .retaliate no wrongs, resent no past blows, to cp.n no strife. We come with a patrio'i purpose, to do whatever, in our political power shall be to restore an Lonest economy and constitutional administration of the Government. We come charging on tbe union no wrong "to ufs the union has an un* mi-xed blessiug to every section, to every State, to every mau of every color iu America we charge all the wrongs to that higher law, fanaticism, which never kept a pledge or obeyei a law. We sought to leave tbe resolution of those who would not keep fidelity to'covenant, we sought to go by ourselves, but so far from loving our brave unioti men of the north, followers of Webster and Filmore, of Ca aud Douglass, you who fought for tbe union for tbe sake of fhe union, you who ceased to fight when the battle was ended and the sword was sheathed. With you we have no quarrel, we felt your heavy arm in the midst of

,,, the

struggle, but above the roar of cannon we beard your voice of kindness, "Brothers, come back, we are here to eo-opeiate with you, to do whatever we can do in the spirit of all our sorrow to rebuild, to restere to peace, and to be a. blessing, and to make the American Union what our fathers intended it should be, the glory of America and the blessing of humanity. But you gentlemen who persecuted us by your viijdictiveness until you drove us out of the Union you who then claimed to be the only friends of the Union which you had before denounced as a "league with death and a covenant with hell," you who followed up tbe war when soldiers who fought it, have made peace and gone to their homes. To you we have no concessions to make. Martyrs are no apology to tyrants, aud while we are ready to make every sacrifice for Union, secession however defeated and oppressed, will confess no sin to fanaticism,, however, bigoted and exacting. Yet while we make to you uo concession, we say this: We come even to you in no spirit of revenge. We have but one ambition, and that it is to add to

our

political power, and

to compel fanaticism toobey the laws and live 'n union according to the constitution. We do not propose tocompel you by oath, for you never kept them the south did. The uuion did one great wrong, and we come as far as we can and repair it. We wronged the uuion grievously wbtfb we left it to be seized and left our homes to the r*»en who denounced it as a "league with ddath and a ^eonvenant with hell," we ask you gentlemen

ablest

JANUARY

pilanse ou lh:» Democratic side of the hou«e. and also in the crowded gal lerca .A" Mr. Hiil finished his-speech, Mr. Garfield took the floor, but- was interrupted by a message from the Senate, announcing the action of that body in connection with the death of ex President Andrey Johnson.

McFarlanl rose to offer the u*ual resolutions of respect, but in view of the intense interest manifested in the amnesty debate, offered to defer the eulcgies 'ill to-morrow. T.» hat however, Kelly ohj -cted as irregular and unprecedented. The .iffer was withdrawn, and the proceedings of the day were cloftd with speeches in enlo-iy of Mr. J.ihnton, made by M-F'r!and, Tfco-nbtirgh, Younc, Wtddall, Conger, Cot and Throckmorton.

HORSING SE.'S:oN. Washington, Jan. 12.

Bills were introducod and referred as follows: By Mr. Wei's, of Mo.—For a postofficn and custom house building at St. Louis, also tor payment of the interest doe on ihel.-t if Febru ry nexi on 350 bonds oft he District of Columbia.

By Mr. Foster—A resolution calling 'or a report in relation to the harbor ot Vermillion, Ohio. Adopted.

By Mr. Gib&oc—A. resolution au thoriz.ng Ihe appointment of a cornmission to ascertain on what terms a nutually beneficial treaty of coinm -rce with Mexico can be arranged.

By Mr. L-vy—For the removal of 'bstructions in Red River. Also, to improve tho navigation of RkI River by closing the mouth ot Tonis bayou.

By Mr. Aiorey—To strengthen the credit, of reconstructed S'atos, aud to afford them financial relief.

By Mr. Clark for improvement of Big Sandy river, bg Wtiite for the im provementof the Cumberland river.

By Durham to permit tobacco growers to sell to konsumers tobacco of their own growth without license, Also for improvement of Smith shoals en the Cumberland :. ver-

By Mr. Debrell, to make it misdemeanor for the United States ificiols to demand contributions to the election funds.

By Thorn burg,to improve the navigation of the tribuiary .streams to the Tenn. river.

By Landers, to establish a miut at Indianapolis. I By Caulfleld, to establish a miut at (Chicago.

By Burchard, (Ills.) requiring the national bank» to prepare for specie aymen. ii, Mr. WhitiBg, to divide the State of Illinois into three judicial districts.

By Mr. Wike, to settle the accounts between the U. 8, aud States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illnois, also foj tbe public building at Quiucy,

By Mr. Bland, for improvement of the Gascepade river, atao giving- the state Missouri all public lands therein for educatioual purposes.

By Mr, Hereford, for the improvement of the Big Sandy river iu Ky. and West Va.

By Mr, Faulkner, to prohibit the Senators, Representatives and delegates in Congress from acting as counsel or otherwise in suits or proceedings aeainst the U. 8.

By Mr. Wilson, (W. Va.) for tbe improvement of the Little Kanawha river also, for the completion and furnishing of the' Custom House at Parkersburg.

The House at 2 o'clock resumed consideration of amnesty bill and was addressed by Mr. Garfield. He yield to Mr. Wood of New York to make inquiry as to the continuauce of debate. He remurbek that over ten thousand bills bad already been introduced aud almost none passed. He understood that twenty-three gentleman bad indicated their inteu* tion to speak on the amnesty bill. He wished in the interest of tbe country that the debate should terminate as soon as possible, so that tbe ^House might proceed to nescess*ary business of Legislation.

Mr. Randall said he proposed to move the previous question* in an hour after Mr. Garfieid should conclude.

Mr. Blaine claimed that under the rules, he [bimselt] and uot Mr. Ranrdall, had control of the question.

The Speader said he would rule upon that point when occasion should arise.

Mr. Gtrfield commenced his remarks by expressing his regret on the course of which the debate had taken, especially ytsterdays.

SENATIi

"i?'!v .. morninci session...ivi, Washington, Jan. 12.

Mr. Conkling presented a petition of citizens ot New York, asking for an amendment to the constitution of tbe United States prohibiting the appiopriation of money or property for any purpose directly orindirectly to eny religious body or sect. Referred.'

the Republican party, to rise above all your animosities and forget our old sin Let us try to repair the wroDgs that distract and oppress the country. Let us turn our backs on the past, and let it be said in thfc future, (bat he shall be the greatest patriot, the sou no est patriot, tbe

patriot who shall

do the most to repair the wrongs of the past and promote the glories of the future. [Loud and continued ap-

Atter the expiration of the morning hour tbe Senate resumed consideration of resolutions reported by tbe Committee on Privileges and Elections on Monday last in regard to the present pro tempore of the Senate pending question being on motion of Air. Tnurman to indefinitely postpone the third resolution declaring that office of present pro tem., of the Senate is held at the pleasure of the Senate.

Mr. Edmunds spoke against postponing tbe resolution and argued that the present pro tempore 'could be removod at the pleasure of the Senate. Dorsev introduced B9ll to place all colore'd troops who enlisted in the army

equal footing with other sold

iers, as to county pensions. Referred. Also Bell to establish a collection distrfct of Arkansas. Referred.

Davis said he gave notice a few days sgo that h8 would address the Senate to-day, in isgard to the public debt expenditures of Government, etc. He now desired to submit the resolution calling for the appointment of a committee to examine the books of the Treasury Department, ann accordingly submitted the resolution for that purpose, and gave notice that be would address the Senate in regard thereto to-morrow. It was ordered that tbe resolution be printed and lie on the table.

The morning hour having expired, tbe Cbatr laid before tbe Senate 'uufio-. ished business being the resolutions re ported from the Committee ou Priv ilexes and Elections by Mi*. Morton,on Monday last, in regard to the Pre»ident pro tempore of tbe Senate, the pending question being on tbe motion of Mr, Tburman to indefinitely post

pone the third resolution,,which declares that ttie office of President, pro tempore of the Senate is held at the pleasure of the Senate.

Mr. Edmunds ot\.Vjrmont argU"d that the President pro tempore of the Senate held bis office at the pleasure of tho Senate and but for the long time praci ice contrary a convenient on Senate could elect awPresident pro tem., every morning. Tie duration of fhe office of President pro ^ein had hefn filled only by a long source of usage.

TilEWiTTjiEVHINO.

ro««tinua ion of t.li« Trial of Al l'red 31. rift* for Conspiracy.

TRAC ES FALSE 6AUUES FROM EVANSYJLL& TO NEW TOhK.

Mo i-n of foutiiniitnc* iuh C-?a Against Bra^'-c-R bb Pleat's (Utility

Indianapolis, January 11, 1876. MOKN'INQ SES.^ON. On the opening «f Court to-day the trial of McGriff was resumed, Gen. Veatch being cailed oy the prosecution and occupying the entire morning in giving evidence.

The Government endeavored, and with partial success, to show from the testimony of this witness that McGriff bad made false returns in ihe matter of gauging spirits prior to its goinu into market, and that there wa a decided discrepancy in his report as compared with the quantity of spirits received in New York from the distillery over which the defendant had supervision. The General gave a detailed account of the daily returns made by McGriff as to the spirits gauged by him, and there will be introduced in evidence barrel heads received iu New York from the Binghams without the stamps being cancelled, which MeGritl had certified to Gen. Veatch had been done. Witness testified that the defendant had never informed him of any suspected or actual irregularity on tbe part of the Binghams or any

QUO

ia their em

ploy, with the possible exception that some two years ago the seal over the keyhole of the cisttru room -. or had been tampered with.

The cross-examination developed no new or material evidence favor» able to the defendant, the witness iiaving concluded his testimony.

The party ou trial is attended by his son, both of whom are deeply in tere3ted-in the proceedings.

Most of the parties under Indictment have put in their appearance, wi'h the exception of J. W. Bingham, who is delayed by tbe death or his brother, Gordon II., which occurred yesterday at Patoka. The deceased, although jointly indicted with his brother, had never pleaded to the connts pendiug against him. and acrdingly the indictment as to himself will be formally noiled. He held an insurance policy on his life to the amount of $15,QQ0 and pos^ibIv more, iu the Mutual Benefit, of New Jer.-ey, and a like amount in ti.e Mutual Life, of New York. The total amount of insurance on his life is stated at $15,000. James K.Hill appeared in Court to-day in charge of an officer to await the pleasure of Judge Gresham in passing sentence on verdict of jury.

AFTERNOON SRSSION.

The afternoon session wfts mainly occupied with the examination of Samuel Lemberger, Henry Camp, and Edward W. Groot. The first is a liquor dealer, in New York city, the second a United States gauger in Brooklyn, and the third an employee in a liquor housa in New York city. Allot mem had haudled whisky shipped from tho distillery of Bingham brothers, which had been gauged by McGriff. Iu a large number of instances, they testified to talse returns of gauges by McGriff. Their testimony was explicit, aud taken Irom their books, in which, at tlie fime of gauging, they had made estimates of their

false

returns.

OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST—ROBB PJjEADS GUILTY,

At the opening of the court in the afternoon, the Hon. William E. Niblack, of Vinceuues addressed the court iu behalf of Thomas E. Itobb, who is one of the indicted parties connected with the ring. It will be remembertd that Itobb was the one wiio escaped from Constable Stewart here at Torre Haute when the officers were bringing the arrested individuals to Indiana) o!is, and who iately returned and "gave himself up. Mr. Niblack said he was authorized to plead guiity for Mr. Robb, And in doing so desired to make a statement of the facts in his case for the court to consider when it came to pass sentence. Mr. Robb was Union soldier in the war of the rebellion, and received iu service a wound which totally incapacitated him from |rork for two years und from^fr which he has never recovered. Iu 1870, being out of business, he was induced to go into the distilling business at Huzelton, taking charge of a distillery, believing he could make it pay.. For over two years he conducted the business in strict accordance with the requirements of the law as he understood them. Iu the fall' of 1873 becoming convinced that "crciofced" whisky was being made in that district, aud being given to understand that its manufactare was with the connivance of the Government through its officers, he wentjnto the "ring" and began running "crooked" It did not pay, hewever and in the sprim: of 1874, being unable even to pay the assessment of Ihe gauger on duty at his distillery, he closed up, a bankrupt. His estate will pay ten cents ou tbe dollar. Mr. Robb is not 10 good healtti, suffarinu more or le8 at nil times from nmvous and physical prostration, a legacy from the wound be received during tlie war. tie does not leel that be is aide to with atand a very severe punishment. Ho iti mow broken in health and purse, a

FRISKS CENTS

pensioner upon the. liberality of his friends, and-he fuels that he has bf en punished already enough to satisfy the law. I venture'to express the hope that when your Honor comes to pass sentence upon those who have pleads auiity some conoid ration will be paid to one who had retired from the business long before the disclosures were made which resulted in placing hirn here a supj li it,t for mercy. CONTINUANCE! ASKKD IN THE I1UASJ1-

KRCASE-

At the conclusion of Mr. NibUck's reriinrks, Judge Gresham said there was a out er in connection with the ease of Lewis B. Brasher, wlmh th« counsel desired to present, and that he would hear it th^n. Tlie counsel for Mr. Brasher presented a lengthy nflidavi1 in support of a motion to continue bis case until tbe next term of court owing to tbe atisf-nceof »n important wit nes in his h«half— hia brother, Benjamin p»nn Brasher, who is now hi Paris France.

To this affidavit Gen. Browne objected that it was hardly probable thntB.P. Brasher would exjjose himself to tho processes of ihi*court, being under indictment himself for complic conspiracy.

Qt-n. Harrison replied that Gen. Browne bad no right to charge that Brasher would all »w the meaner feelings ot tie human breast, cowardice and fear, to overcome that noblerimpulse whicli would bring him here to prevent an innocent younger brother from suffering 'or & crime of which he alone was guilty. In any event the defendant wa9 entflmi io havo bis testimony, aud if be cmild not get it in person ought to be allovved to get bis deposition. Judge Greshaui took the affidavit and motion under advisement.

WASHINTON.

etiiig of the House Jiidieajy Committee.

To Consider th* QneMica of Limiting the Presidential Term.

THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE. Washington, Jau. 12.—The Committee on Judiciaiy to-day considered the proposed amendment to tbe constitution limiting the Presidential term. Some of the numbers are in favor of fix'nr the terms at sjs years, with ineligibility, afterwardx others art foroix years with nieligibility uutil six years after expiration of such terms, and others for restricting the President to two terms, four years each, in o*ber words, against a third term the majority of the com-* mittee seem to fovor one term only of six years with ineligibility for reelection.

GOVERNMENT

Washington, Jan. 12.—Charles E. Brown has been nominated by the President for pension agent at Cincinnati.

DEAD.

Washington, Jan 11 —John Wilson, formerly Commissioner of the General Land Office and Third Auditor of tho Treasury, died to-day.

DEATH OF GEN. SHEKMAN'B SIBTEB. Washington, Jan. 11.—Mrs. B*rtley» wile of Judge Bartley, and sister ot Gen Sherman, died last night.

MILITARY AFFAIRS.

Washington, Jan. 12.—The Committee on Military Affairs met to-day, Senator Logan presiding for tbe first time this session. The committee agreed to report favorably on a number of executive nominations, including that ot Majsr liobt. Macetuly. to bo Commis. a try General of Subsistence.

EATHQUAKE

Particulars of ttie Shock at Lenta in December. New York, Jan. 12.—The Star and Herald of Panama just, receive, con^ tains tbe following letters from Lima announce a complete destruction by earthquake on tbe 4th of December, of abaucay betweeu four P. M. of the 4th, and five A. M. of the 6th. No letfs than thirtysseven shocks occured several flood inundated the business part of Valpairso, two lives were lost and one million five hundred dollars worth of property was destroyed, several women have been registered in some of the towns in Chili as qualified voters, aud will exercise the right of suffrage at the approaching elections.

Failures.

A SWEET FAILURE.

New York, Jan. ll.-Ockershavsen Bros., sugar refiners, have failed tor $375,000. The assetts of the firm.wh ch are chiefly real estate, amounted in 1873 to more than $600 000.

A BANK FAIIiURF.

Loverst, Pa.,Jan. 11.—'Tl Inland It* surance and Deposit Comt my of this city, closed its doors this uiorniug.

A PARTIAL FAILURE.

Boston, Jan. 11.—'The Boston Savings Bank has been restrained from receiving or paying deposit*, or transacting other business, owing to the shrinkage on real estate and personal securities. The capital of tbe bank has been impaired, but depositors are not liable to serious loss. .A ifAl'ER FAILURE. .Nashville, Jan. 11.-The Rock City Paper Mill has made an assignment lor the beuefit of creditors.

Markets To day.

Chicago—Wheat

98^c, 99c March, 98a

KS"? I!) 05

19 35

(?"b:

York—Wheat, one bette at 1 08

to^l.03. Chicago, 1 23 to 1 2 No. 2cbi-

IAM

winter, rod stGn* Coro*

and sellers wide apart much lower No. 2 fall 145 bid cash and January 149 bid February, no bid for No. S fall. Corn, little doing 40 c.tsb. 0*ts, 35, wliisk.» 107- Provisions firm pork 16^ 2(1 days in salt Gji, 10)i, 10/i lard 12a Hogs strong active 7 to

OST^LaayVfur cape. °^£hf£tU»tre^

Set