Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, March 1, 1874, Page 4

=4 THE CHICAGO.DAILY TRIBUNE: SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1874. ored blankets. These plaids among the Low- of love with those who drink and sell jintoxi- —_—— e e e e e e s onia | STATE LEGISLATURES. MRS, TAN GOTT I¥ BALTIMORE. & Great Bevival in an Independent Church. Warm Commendation and Cold Criticism of au“Extraordinary,Woman, Correspondence of the Chicago Tyibune. A Bavrrvonz, Feb. 26, 1874, For the last three weeks Baltimoro has been blessed with the persuasive elogueace and the glowing piety of THE REV. MBS. MAGGIE VAN COTT, s lady who is not entirely unknown in tho Woat. Although she protests that she is nota. * gensationalist,” and that her only desiro is to be instrumental in saving souls in & quiet, hum- ‘ble, Chrietian-like way, she certainly has exmf.ed 2 religious epthusiasm, smong & portion of the people of this city, border- jug on that state ot frenzy which tho professes to be most anIious to avoid. This is the more remarkable for the reason that there zre traditional prejudices here against all aggressiveness on the part of women, aud espocially against that comragoons sclf~ 1esurance which is generally exhibited by women who declsim from the pulpit. The extraordi- vary imptession that Mre. Van Cott has made nuet bo taken a8 an indication that the spirit of srogress haa touched even this conservativa sity; and that aresolute woman can obtain & kearing, although her assumption of the clerical office shocks the prevailing idess concerning the peculiar duties, occupations, and capabilities of She gentler sex. " AN INDEPENDENT CHURCH. Betore I ssy. austhing in regard to Afrs. Van Cott’s iabors, I deeire to correct & wrong imprea- gion that tias gone abroad concerning the con- fgrogation that has secured her services for s brief seeson. The dispatches relating to her meetings, which have been sent from here, have epoken of the * Methodista” as ber patrons and admirers; from which strangers very naturally infer that she is 1aboring in s Methodist Episco- pal church, and is indorsed by the clergy and laity of that denomination, so numerous and nfluential in Baltimore. Thia is very far from being the fact. The church in which she holds ber meetings is called ““Bt Joho's Independent Methodist Prolestant Cburch.” It formerly was under the jurisdic- tion of the Methodist Protestants (a body that seceded from the regular Aethodists in the year 1826), bat, for the last thirty years. the congro- gation hiss been entirely independed of all eccle- siagtical supervision, and is amenablo to no Conference for any of its acis. In the first ¥eurs of its independent existence, a minister of the hicthodist Protestant denomination was em- ployed ; but the present pastor, and tue ane who inncediately preceded him, were obtained from tie Methodist Episcopal Conference. Avotber eingular fact in connection with thia chureh ig, that it is incumbered with a mighty trust. 3 THE LATE JONN CLARE, Presidont of the Citizens' National Bank of Bal- timore, end Penston Agent for Maryland until his death in 1867, was one of the most influen~ tial members. He wasa very pions man, but withal & very prudent man in his investments, 2nd he sccordingly accumulated s largo estate. e was an ardent supporter of the Government during the War; and had but little petience with tacso whowere not. His heira-at-law were three Ermdchfldxen, who would have inherited his es- ate if he had made no disposition of s property in Lis lifetime. 1t hap- pened, however, that these prospective beirs were sympathizers with the South, and for this reason the patriotic old gentlemsn determined that their influence as disloyal persons should not be echanced by the wealth which ho had sc- cumalated. He gave each of thom a life-estato in certain lands whick he owned (quite sufficiont to socure them a compul,encag, and ‘the remain- der of his_property, 500,000, he deviced to Trustees, the annusl revenues derived there- from to ba expended in “contributions towards $te curent income of Christian and charitabls organizations that may be in_operation from tinie to time; in aiding feeble Protostaut Eyan- gelical chirches ; ministers of tho Gospol with_inadequate galaries; and worthy, female members of the Church of Christ in needy cir- cum stances; and in carrying out any special lans in copmection with Bi. John's Alethodist rotestant Church, or otherwise, which thoy. (the Trustees) may devise.” It will bo seen that thess are oxceedin, 'VAGUE AND INDEFINITE DIRECTIONS,| and that no courtof equity conld enforce| them ; in fact, there1a na charitabla socioty, or n mith_inadequato selary, or “worthy \temalo member of the Church of Christ,” in exilstenco #ho could show such anintarest in the incol ense fund is squandered, or if the incomo is ot} dis- iriouted. = Everything rests in the discretio the Trustees, and Mr. Clatk took care to Kave them made an incorporated body in his lifetiime, aud invested with power to take this bequest) to ‘cgislative enactment. The disappointe: shildren first tried the courts, but conld get wclief. They then went to the Legisiatur ind made an effort to have the ac\ incorporating the Trustees repealed; but although they made a powerful sppeal, both on ti:0 merits of the case, and the more potential sround that they are disinherited because they symipathized with tho South, that body refused to iuterfare. = St. Joln’s Methodist Protestant Church is, thoreforo, obliged to continue its independent sxistence for the sake of administering » most burdensome trust. It has not heretofore been moie prosperots. in & spintua! sense, than the churches which have less mouey to handle, AN ENGAGENENT. The pxesent pastor of the church, the Rev. Mr Jones, invited, or raibier engaged, Mrs, Van Coit 1o eesist in conducting a protracied mecting. She preached her first sermon on the 5th inst. Services were held overv evening during the fol- lowing week, and the attendance was always be- yond the capacity of the honee. Under the in- flnence of her stirring exhortations, 3 great many young persons came forward and knelt 2t the “*mourners’ bench”; and at each meeting there was great rejoicing over those who professed to * have oxpenenced a change of heart. Mrs. Van Cott sung, and prayed, and exborted, with much fervor; and the story of her wonderfal success in bringing sinners to repentance began to be noised sbroad. On the following Sunday 80 mauy persons came to bear her that the street in front of tbe church was blocked up with the crowd that could not gain admission. Tickets ware distributed to the members of the congre- gation and the penitents seeking religion, and, on presentation of thesc, they were admitfed at the private entrauce. Dauring the next woek the oxcitoment incrensed, 3lrs. Van Cott grew more eioquent, aud the *conversions" multiplied. Tho hall of the Marylaad Instituto (the largest in the city) was eng2ged for Sunday af:erncon, in order to accomunodats the thonsands who ‘were anxious to hear hor.” DISINTEKESTED CRITICIEX. This was a very unfortunate move for Ars, Van Cott, because it subjected her to the test of pablic enticism. As long as she exhorted at St. Jobn's Chuzch, and had her prayer-moetings, 2nd children’s meetings, and converts’ meetings, the sacrednoss of the plece and the work pro- tectod hor. The people who went to hear her wero generaliy members of the congregation, and a great thxox:i of boys and girls who wers stimcicd by the novelty of sgeeing & womsn 1n the pulpit. When she appeared cu _the platform in the of the Maryland Institute, however, she mat the gozo of &u andience of 2,500 porsons, many of whom were entirely freo from that religious cnthusicam that bad taken complete posseasion of the people of St. Johu's, making it impossible for them to form a correct judgment es to the merits of the sermous and exhortations to which they bad boea listening. Not one-third of the people who came to the Instituto to hear her preach weré able to get inside the hall. The ox. theso, in tbe hall of the Maryland Institute, to an au- dience as largo 28 that of the afternoon. Ihap- pened to bave a seat close to a party of boys who hed been “converted” during the week, and who ware givon a placo on the stage, 80 that they could take part in tho exercises. One of A LAD TEN OB TWELVE YEARS OF AGE, insisted on telling me his religions experience, and aleo some facts concerning the revival which he supposed would interest me. Ho sai that a little girl had been converted st the meeting in the morning, sud he gave the number of minutes that the child had spent at tho mourers' bench before she had found peace; Mrs. Van Cott had regarded it the ‘most remarkable conversion she ever seen. After this little girl had *got_through,” a gen- ileman hsd offered her s silver cup, but she said, ¢ No, I don’t want it; give it to Jesus." The little fellow wanted to know if I didn’t think oll of this very wonderful. When I looked at him, I saw that his eyes were sparkling and his ' cheeks flushed. He was 1n that condition of morvons sonsibility indi- cated by parents when thoy charge their children with *‘being beside themselves."” The boys sang with great spirit, and made sudible responses during the prayers; but, when Ars, Van Cott launched into her sermon their religions fervor sbated. Thoy begen to ingpect the side ecenery that had been left standing on the stage, to pointout to each other the smusing figures, and &t last they becsme so much inter- ested in the paintings that they stuck their fin- gers through holes in the canvas, with sppar- ent intent to make them lsrger. My young friend, who bad told me about the Little girl that refused the silver cup, being cut off from his companions by two adult persons occupying the intervening seats, contemplated the punch- ing of the canvas for s whilo from his lonely fiosizion, and then dropped into » sound sleep. e had uot waked up when I took my departure, NATHAN AND DAVID. € Mrs. Van Cott read & portion of the chapter in the Book of Samuel which 1elates David's temp- {fation and fall, and there were thoso who trem- bled lest she should sttempt to comment on some of tho more delicate incidents in the story; but it was not long before all apprehensions on 1his scoro were removed. Her text had no con- stection whatever with her discourse, and any rassagoin the Sacred Seriptures might have een selected with asmuch propricty as Nathan's pointed remark to David, *‘Thou art the man.” ilrzs, Van Cott has an immonse stock of standard expressions stored sway, which she uses sd libitum, without much regard to the connection. She seems to have committed to memory two or three of the standard bymn-books, sud, when- ever she has dificulty in recalling s text, 8 stanza of roligious pootry in thrown in with great effect. She has a lively perception of a personal devil, and Satan, 88 o destroyer and wily deceiver, figares largely in all her exhortations. Her own contlicts with bim, and the arts by which he tried to delude ber in the fivst days of her religious experience, form 10 inconeidersble patt of bor discourse. In tell- ing of the wicked persons_whom she warned of their peril, but who turned s deaf oar to her ex- hortations and perished misersbly in their sius, shobhas ro hesitation whatever 10 saying that they went to tho tegion of lost epirits,—giving to the place the same that is most harsh and re~ pulsive. I have thus far described an exhorter such as may bo hoard at any camp-meeting in the rural districts. But Mrs. Ven Cott is SOMETHING NORE THAY THIS. She has a wonderful voice, and her articalation is exceedingly distinct. I havo board some of our most distinguished orators spesk in the ball of the MNaryland Institute,’ but I mever heard one whose voico was so full and flexible a8 hers. She preaches nearly a thoueand eermons ina year, but the exhsusting labor seems pot to have affected ber vocal organs or her bodily strongth. Her delivory. is that of s finished sctor, and, whother Btudied or natural, it is waolly dramatic. It is pleasant to hear her road a favorite chopter from tho Bible, or recite & hymn. I am inclined to think that her Buccess 88 a rovivalist is entiroly owing to her zeal and her fize elocution. Of course there are good people who are profoundly convinced :hat gho has been eudowed by the Almignty with certain gifts that specially fit her for'the work in which eho is engaged. 2l her preaching “the power of the spirit.” Wwhena stenographer takes down one of her exhortations, it loscs all its force. 'Thobe who hear her speak would scufi:}y recognize a verbatim report of her re- marks, - HOLDLNG OFF. The great body of the Methodists of the city heve not taken any part in the revival that is in rogress at St. John'’s, I am not aware that she 2§ proached in any of tho Methodist Episcopal churches of tho city, or that sho has been in- vited to occupy the pulpit in any church except the one in which she is_now laboring. I know that some of the leading Metbodist preachers aro doabtful sbout tho propriety of ber proceed- ings, slthough Christian people af all denomina- tions hesitate fo pronounco any adverse judz- ‘ment, bocause she may be doing good.” They have some objection to_ her methods, but they charitably admit the purity of her motives, and hope that good results may follow. Whatever impression she makes is through those gifts of spicit and of voice that emable her to stir up an excitement. I do mnot think that she is capablo of instructing an intelligent sudience in anything that does not pertain to religious emotion. When she gets away from her quotations, Lier diction is lamo and_inele- gant, and ber thought entirely barren. She de- clares thatshe never prepares s scrmon, and that sho never knows what sheis going to say until she opens tho Bible and takes her text. This is & sufficient commentary upon her preach- ing. To deliver s thousand ‘sermons in & year without any study or preparation, is not credit- sble to any preacher, malo or female. It 18 well that those sermons only live in_the recolioction of good people, who can recall tho apeaker's striking prosence acd the sweetness of her voice, but nothing else. Mrs. Vao Cott will ramaln here till next Mon- duy; sud then she goes to New Orleans, to fll sn’engagement in that city. £ 4 BRILLIANT WEDDING AT SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Corvespondence of The Chizage Tribune. Serrvarme, TiL, Feb, 23, 1674 The social event of the winter st our State \npital was the marringe onlast Thursdsy eveniog t Mr. Chatles V. Hickos to Miss Eanico Breed, 8hap-danghter of Cen. E. N. Bates, the ex-State Tr\asurer. Tho ceremony was performed by thé: Rev. Mr. Moore, in the Congregational Chiarch, which was crowded to overflowing by elogantly-attired ladies and gentlemon from Spritygfield, Chicago, Cloveland, sad Bt. Louis. The grroomsmen and bridesmaids wore as fol- lows & Mr. T. Campbsll, of Springfield, aud Miss Blossqm, of Cleveland ; Mr. Blossom, and Mies Emms Hickox, sister of the bridegroom ; Mr. nender\‘san Ridgoly, of Bpringfield, and Hliss Parsonty, of Chicago; Mr. George Chatterton aod Mist s Occio Ridgely, both of Springfeld ; Mr. MCharles Btarne, of Bpringfield, and Fligs Kate Gulelte, of _Elkbart. The aticndants were Mesars, Reymond, of Chiwago, Roberts, DBunn, and Hill, of Springfield. The order of procceding Into the churck was: T'wo first-ushers, passing both to tho righit of tho sltar; ‘the five groomsmen, passing alli to theright ; the groom and Alrs. Bates ; “twe, nasistant-ushers, passing to the left, followed by, the five bridesmaids ; Gen. Bates, with the brizde. The coremony was a vanation of the estad.lished rituals, aud was neat, brief, and impressi The recepti.on at the elegant home of the bride Was Worthy of’ any perzons in any society, in the Arrangemcdts :and d-apery of the sparfments; the graceful an'd happy reception by the ‘parents of the buido aud; by tho bridal party ; the intelli- gent, prominent,, and pleasant claracter of the guests : the richiiess und beanty of the attire of all ; and the easy.. and successful offorts of all to entertain and be enter:sining. The magnificent banquot roquires* the descriptive powers of a conpoisseuar. THCy three mammoth pyrsmids rl}l.wh graced the ta :blo oxcited the admiration of Among the 500 gliests were Mr. and Mrs Bloasom, of Clevelatd ; Mir. and Mrs, Allen, of Day, Allen & Co.), Clicago; Licut.-Gov. Early; Senalors Reynoldsand: Cunninghum’; Mr. Owens and Miss Lucio MiteLel, of St. Louis; Mre. Gillette and daughters, . of Elkhart ; Mrs. Theo- dore Goudy, of Chicago - and many others; be- sidos the prominont pors ons, the beauty and the bost sociely of Springhield. Tho bride sod groom left on the midnigRit train for Chicago, en route for Philadelphia iwnd the Fast. They return in three weaks to refyide in Springfield. A Marringre. Sebaud, the faithful body-ser-vant through many xarcises of che afternoon copsisted in singing familiar hymns, reading of the Scriptures, nroyer, a somewhet protracted sttempt to geta [iberal’ **collection,” and an impassioned ex- iortation from Mrs. Van Cott, which the pious poopla of St.John’s and the young coaverts thought sublime. It must be Eaid that the soopalians, Presbyteriaus, cool-headed Meth- cdiats, newspaper-reporters, siuners, znd other competent critics who were present, thought the .£Xceedingly poar,—such 2s any pioos . upight havo delivered at ‘sn ex- «ting, il he had beaa trained in the £t s clusction. Ep the evening Mrs. Van Cott again hald forth yoars of Marshal AlacMabo married recent- 1y at Versailles to the wal -woman of the Duchess of Magents. The cczremony w3 at- tended by M. and Madamo de aMacilahon, who presented the bride and bridegi..oom with many veluable and useful presents. 'T:he contract was signed by the President aud his - wife, who also sppeared at the wedding breakfac;t nod danced. The presence of the Marshal and "his wife, who aro now the sovereigns of France,%. at the wed- ding of their servants, eays the Cadgwlic Review, reminds one of the good old times{ when Mary Stuart danced~for the last time, alb'asl--ab the mATiage of hier valet, Bobastian, 2 L ¢ n THE CRISPINS’ STRIKE. The Shoemskers vs. The Man- ufacturers. Statement in Behalf of the Former. A To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune: 8m: I notice in your issne of the 25th inst: & communication purporting to be from a dis- intorested party—to which claim I_take excep- tion—on the present disagreement existing in thia city between the boot and shoe manufac— turers and their workmen. Itake the above- mentioned excoption on the ground that I can- not imagine how more ultra views couldbe taken by the most special pleaders from the manu- facturers standpoint. 1pass over thegentloman's expressions of anxiety for the suffering interests ot Chicego, because I think Chicago is gbun- .dantly able to take care of herself. The writer, though not at yresent working at the busincss, has worked at boot-making in the city for the last fifteen years, and sbould be entitled {0 claim some knowledgo 6f that of which he wntes. Icannot pretend to deny that my sym- pathies ere with the workingmen, the justice of whose claims” will be evident toany impartial minds upon su examination of the facts ( not Ar. Booth's facts). It is unnecessary to recapitulste the causes which led to the strike and consequent Jock-out, only inofar s they will elucidsts the incorrocte ness of Mr, Booth's atatemen: A8 TO THE 1.5 when the manufacturers formed their Union. The strike originated in & difference per case at which a certain grade of boots was rated in Doggett, Bassott & Hill's shop, and some of the other factories. Doggett’s men claimed thata higher price was paid in other -places, which the foreman would not credit without positive proof. He made inquiries in the shops indicated, ascer~ tained the facts, and the result of hls visit was thav theso shops cut down tho prices to his standard. This took place before auy strike oc- curred. Is any better evidenco needed to show that the Msanufacturers’ Union was formed previous to this time ? o The shoemakera do not deny the right of tho ‘manufacturers to form a Profestive Union, and cannot understand why this gentleman shonld conetitute himself their apologist for eo doing. They are not quite 80 inconsistent as Mr. Booth, who, in speaking of the interosts of Chicago, regards the wholo as greater then & part, but cannot gee how the interests of 300 men—1,000 he has it—can be groator than the interosts of THILTY-SIX, probably the number coustituting the nine prin- cipal firms of this city. The gentleman is ovi- dently & bero-worsbiper; but, uolike his prophet, Thomas Carlyle, ho does not think the time bas arrived yet—as though it wers ever too s0on to do right—for the treatment of working- men in the maoner he, Carlyle, so highly commends Sir J. Whitworth for doing in his recent letter to that gentloman. This Jet- ter was printed in last Sunday's TRIBUNE, snd is well wortliy the attontion of every man who re- gards the adjustment of the counflict between Capital and Labor a8 the most momentous ques- tion now commauding the attention of the civil- ized world. Let us inquire into the truth of tho allegation whethar the boot snd snoe manufaclure of Chi- cago 15 FROYITADLE OR NOT, and, as o corollary of this, the same manufac- ture of the entire Northwest. Mr. McFarlane, in his statoment to your reporter, saya: ‘‘Itis advantageons insofar 88 it enables us to soll a class of goods upon whickt we mako a large profit.” _Is not s 8 substan- tisl sdvantage; = that s, in tho intorest of tho manufacturers? Were not that enough to show the fallacy of Mr. Booth's stato- ‘ment, how does it happen thav ali these houscs are waxing stronger annoally, until Lhes are among the strongest honsos in tEe city? How is itsbst only those who do manufacture are the ones whodo not go to the wall? Why. should & wholessle importer, baving an extensive trade, commence menufacturing, 88 two of the princi- pal firms in that line have done sinco tho Fire, it there wero no advantages in jt? Simply to pro- servo themselves from going to the wall, as others have dome. Could sn exclusively manufacturing house bave msintained a successfal compotition sgainst both the msnufacturers East sud the semi-manufacturing bouses of this city, a8 was done up to the - Grest Fire, if there were Do profitsiniz? The entire Northwest are pay- ing last vear's prices, excepting Milwaukee, and, when our suburban fowns of St. Louis, 8t. Paal, St. Peter, Cleveland, Detroit, Lafajotto, and Cincinnati can compete with the East saccessfal- 1y, sud pay last yoar'spricos, Chicsgo muat doso or go to the wal ANOTHER ADVANTAGE in home-mavufactuning is the ability to fll small orders of nnusnal styles, which can only bodone aibome snccessully. But the chief advantage is the check it has ovor Esstern manufacturers. They know that sll the asppiiances for the production of boots sud shoes exiat berp in Chicago. There are large fac- tories ;* the men bere have not pear steady employment; the supervisory abilit7 constantly engaged is sufiicient for ten times the actual production ; .and, as a natural consequence, the Eattern man snccumbs to the pressure, tho poor Esctern workman pays the piper, and the Weat- ;rn {armer dances to the tune in a pair of shoddy oots. ‘The only real question at issue berween the employers and employed is THAT OF PRICES, - being only 50 cents per case, making abont 4 cents difference on & pair of boots, amounting to tbe sum of $1,250. Assuming tho aversgo aunual production (a very high one) of cach of the shops to be 2,500 cases, and that eoch of the firms consists of four persons, this will mako & difference of only $300 to each one,—a mera bagatelle ‘to them whose sunndl business amounts to bundreds of thonsands ; but it makes a difference of 25 cents per day to the workman, whose income, at the most, i8 not more than £800, and the average is far below this figure. In proof of this'statement, I challenge the man- ufacturers to subnit their pay-rolls to sny ono concerned for verification, Burely, this is not too high & price to pay for ‘‘the sprat that catches their salmon,”’ In regard to THR CQNDITICNS impose upon the workmen, I will state that the Crispine, while I was ono of them,—prices satisfactorily arranged,—not only agreed ot to strike, but not to allow a strike, against prices, in any of the shops in this or other place where the Union exists. The troublo arises from the manufacturers ezacting sthoso conditions where the pricos . are ., not eatisfactory; asnd it will be seen from the foregoing that the prices demanded are not exorbitant. The shoemakers do not expect bet- ter pay than other mechanics, dnd facts will Emm that their psy is not near sogood. I ave tho best grounds for saying that there is not one in & hundred but wonld be more than glad to accept $15 per_week through the year. Iwill state, in reply to the chprge that the shoemakers made no attempt to como to an amicable adjustment with the bosses, that KO SUCH ALTERNATIVE was allowed them. The manufacturers In most of the factories demanded an immediate ad- swer, Yes or No, and they got r; beneo the loci- out; hence Ar. Booth's amefupt at whitewash- ing. I am afraid of intruging o far upon your Bpace, but would Like, at game . futurawtime, to advert to the question of Worrewer pr'gue- Kilts, Beotchmen have wisely taken advantage of the picturesque incidents of their history by sdapting them to modern tzstes and habits, £mootbing away and obliberating the roughness of savage life, and presenting to living genera- tions the esthetic aspect alons of former days. Thus the kil% is now adapted s if it had alwsys been the clothing of the Gael and the heraldic calors of tho tartans are insisted upon a8 dis- tinctive heirlocms derived from “sucient days. Yet there can be but little doubt that the intro- duction of cleatly marked difference in tartans 15 belonging to clans, is of very recent date, and that the kilt, in its present elaborate form, ia not the gament worn by the ancestors of the Scofchmen of the present day. The esrliest in- habitants of Scotland, a8 is usual with savages, disregarded clothing altogether, and preferred fighting or bunting unrestrained by any cover- ipg. Pelloutior relates an anecdote of ane_of the ancient Rings, who, baving been educated in more civilized 1ands, assumed the commasd of bis troops clad as & King should be. Secingone of his followers Iying down on the snowy ground, unprotected by covering of any gort, Le asked nim if bo were notcold. The man said, Isyour face cold?” **No," replied the King, ¢ Neither do I feel cold," returned the man, *-for I s faco allover.” The first coverings worn were, of course, tho skins of coimals; but lster, ‘when waolen cloths began to be msde in_Secot- land, the people alithsed themsslves in parti-gal. landers were of serviceable and sombre hues, but tho lesa civilized Highlanders dolighted in gorgeous and brilliant patterns, aod indulged in all tho cclors they were able to produce from herbs or blood and lime. The cbecquered pat- torn was universal, but there sre no Tecords_ to prove that any particular pattern was addpted as the livery of. any clan or family. Itis the fash- ion pow to inmst that the object in selecting these colora was to agsume the tint of the heath- er, forest, grass, or shingle which covered the earthin each district, so_ that & Highlander ehould not istinguished from the ground he stood upon. Itis reisted that when a Southern- er, who walked over the verdant braes along ths Bpey, asked the Duke of Gordon where his followers were, that chief gave n whistle, and up sprang & score of Gordons in their green snd yellow tartans; who had been taken by the stran- ger for 8o many furze bushes. As the necessity of keoping the blanket or plsid on the person became more common, cords, straps, and buck- les were used to secure it, and afteg,s while the upper portion assumed the shape of a coat, whfla‘ghe lower hung loosely dosm to the koce, o girdfo or belt being worn round the waist. Bat it wasleft to an army tailor who accompanied Gen. Wado to Scotiond to strike on tho happy thought of severing the jacket from the phila- abeg, and of plaiting the latter in inoumerablo folds, which gave it both weight and besuty. Buch was the origin of the kilt as it is now worn. The folly of ropresenting all Scotchmen s dressed in this i“b has been pointed out by Lord Macaulsy, who langhs at the ides of Bruce or Douglass in striped petticoats, At length,” he writes, ¢ this fashion recached s point be- Eond which it is uot easy to proceed. The last ntish Kiog who beld a court in Holyrood thought he could not give & mora striking proof of his respoct for the - usages which had pre- vailed in Scot}and beforo the nnion than by dis- guising himself .in what before the union was considered by nine Scotchmen out of ton 28 the dress of a thief."—#al Mall Jazelte. TURTLE. How they are Speared in Corisco Bay. " Winwood Reade, in “The 4 frican Sketch-Book.” Corisco Bay abounds with gray mullet and green turtle. The former are taken in castidg- nets, made of the pine-apple fibre, which is soft snd gloasy as tho finest silk. When the mullet are seen splashing in_the shallows, the fisher- man steps thwongh the water as silently as he can, litting his feet high, and, with & dextorous movement of the wrist, throws the met 80 thst it spreads out in the air asitdescends. It i drawn in full of shiny, dancing bodies, which are dried in the son, and when they are “ripe,” or, in other words, putrid, areusod as & sauce plguante for plantsing and caesada. - Tho turtle are speared by moonljght, sud, as I wished to see something of the sport, Ar. Mackey introduced me toa skillful turtler named Abauhi, who told me it was now full moon, snd €0, if 1t did not rain, I could sccompany him that very nmight. At sunsct I watched the dark mountzins on tho main across the bay. Not & cloud sppeared sbove them. At 8 o'clock I went to Abaubi's hut; hesaid when the moon 1050 above the plantaing we could go, 1t was one of those nigntsin which, say the natives, it is impossiblo to catch fish, because thoe eky has too many eyes. When the moon hed risen above the green-leaved troes, Abauhi came forth, carrying & couple of long speara, and fol- lowed by two men with paddles in their hands. He led the way down to the beach, and pushed & small canoe into the water #He then asked me it I could mwim, as cenoes wero often upsetin the turtle-spearing business. I was obliged to reply that I couldnot. He seemed surprised at wy venturing at all on tho water in such a case, and advised me to go home again. Finding thac I was'not inclined to do this, he placed mo in tho bottom of the canoe, holding the sides with my hands, and told me not to stir after we bad once starsed. . His injunction was quite unnecossary, for, 88 wo wobbled along in this tiniest of vessels, it secmed to me thav only a wuccession of miracles kept it from capsizing. DBut after a little while I saw and admired how cleverly these men pre- ifibrinm with delicate_touches of e, Now Absuhi stood up in the prow, with a foot on each gunwele, and the moon shown on his swelling arms as he tlirew himself into vigorous and graceful attitudes. We came to the lonly side of the ieland, where no lights glimiered on the ghoro, and no voices or music could be heard. Softly we glided through the shallow waters out- gide tho etk shadows of tho rocks and trees. "The sweet and balmy air breathed lightly on our cheeka; the night-earth uttered ita mysterions sounds; hoshed aud still lay the ses, and scomed tosmile in the moontight aa it elept. ‘Two mortal hours, and nothing had been seeu. Clouds encircled, and threatened to obscuro the moon. My joints became bLorribly cramped ; and when I looked at the dim water over which we pihsed, 1 could not bebieve that it was possible ‘to see a turtle where I conld seo only the reflec- tions of tho stars. - But the two men continued to paddle without saying s word. Abauhi remained as attontive s ever, his eyes lowered and bis spear upraised. Suddenly the spear was hurled into the water. Tho men’ gava % yell. Something large and black leap through the air, and fell ioto the =oa with a pgodigious splash. Abanhi snatched up s spare padalc,,and the canoe seemed to fiy. In frout could be geen a cloud of white foam skim- ming along the surface of the ses. This I sup- posed to bo tho turtle itself; it was, however, the stafl of the spear; the turtle was in the water underneath. The iron spear-head, which is wmall, with an almost imperceptible barb, is tied by & string to the staff or butt. When tho spear ig thrown, and the turtle is stack, tho spesrhead remaims in the ‘flesh, and the ataff, separated fcom it but retained by the st¥ing, floats on the surface of the water, prevents Lhe turtle from diving beyond tho length of the string, and marks 1ts course. G ) Assoon as ho had caught the staff, which, druwn by tho turtle, was hissing elong the sur- face of the ses, Absuhi drew the creature toward the canoe, nlnymg it like o salmon. He then gave it the second spear ; aguin it sprang from tho sea, looking blck against the moon ; and wo bad another burat, but this time much shorter than the last. The turtle wasnow * distressed,” and withayoheeyo! (borrowed from English merchavt-sailors) was hauled into the canoe, when Abauhi welcomed it by petting its head, and spitting down its moutb.” This he told me waa *iplay,” and showed mo a car on hig arm which a turtle bad inflicted in sportive retribn- tion. . i . Wb bunted sn hour lénger without a find, and then return to Corivco. The turtle laying in the bottom of the canoe uitered the most extraordinary sounds, all of which caricatured humanity, Sometimies it was a harah, dry, consumptive cough; sometimes the hawking sound emitted by Yankees previous to expectora- tion ; sometimes s deop-drawn, gasping, eruciative, spoplectic, 2fter-dfhner sigh. L carefully noted down these vocal peculiarities, with a view of writing 8 memoir npon this inter- esting Batrachian ; and the next day, having cansed the animal to bedinsected, I made threa scientific experiments, all of which were attend- ed with complete success, The firat resulted inan excollent soap ; the second, in a dish of catlets; and the third, in liver fried. Of these I ate in the evening to replotion, and dreamed that I was aldorman goup in the infernal regions, being hgpad up by plethoric green turtle in scarlet robes. —_— THE TEMPERANCE AGITATION. - 'To ths Editor of The Chicago Tridune : Bim: The present temperance agitation is & hopeful sign in & dark political horizon. It demonstrates, a5 also do the Granges, that mass- es of the American ‘people are waking up, 28 & people, o take an interast in their own affairs. Coprts, Legislatures, Common Councils, scliool-teachers, constables, and policemon have heretofore‘been intrusted, as it bas been sup- cating liguor, had, in this Ninéteenth Century, at least the Terit of originality. The philanthropic zeal which gives birth to thus uprising is less remarkabte than the eminent common gense it reveals. These women of Ohio and Indiana far better deserve the name of Freomen than the legal male voters who claim to be their lords and masters. They are trying to teach their husbands, fathers, and brothers, that, if the people ina Republic want anything woll and _promptly done, they must do it them- selves. Belf-government should be the organic 1aw of every free community. These womer 8eo this plainly, and mean to enforce it, too. 'l’hungh ~this truth is not found in political speeches nowadays, it has s place in the heart of every friend of freedons. Pufely humapitarian 1n its phases, the wom- an's movement calls for no guns or swords, aud does not even invoke the terrors of the law; thera will not grow out of it n stupendous na- tional debt, or hordes of Colonels and Brigadior- Generdls, willing to hold all the offices ; it can give rise neither to perjured witnesses nor fore- sworn juries, If it do not utterly banish grog- shops, it bappily paves the way for an era of ro- turning intorest on the pari of the people in the management of matters that most nearly concern them. It points out plan by which it 18 safe to try and reform this country, without the sssist- anca of bummers, hi;fuumm' spocches, frand- ulent ballots, political corraptior, judicial bribe- 13, and drafts of all able-bodied citizens toserve 28 soldiers. Orp Foay. o the Kditor of The Chicago, Tribune : Bm: Indorsing fully the able argument of Brutusin your isspo of the 24th regarding the present temperance movement, allow me, & Ger- man citizen, to add g few remarks. " N 1t is certainly impossiblo to prevent the nse of intoxicating liquor altogether, cither by legisla- tion or by force. At the same time, it is true that there are too many saloops; and that, in goneral, people are indulging jn drink too freely. Many men are of this opinion ; but on the oth- er hand is = class of total-abstinence pe:sla i and a man who has been ust to drink moderately from child- hood will not submit to this, and will especislly not allow otliers to force their opinion upon him ; consequently he ia compellod to stand on the side of tbo traflic. = The temperance people might do some good if thay wero temperate, and could temperate them- solvea. Who is meaner,—those who are follow- ing » legal basiness, permitted and licensed by the suthorities, or thowe who are interruptin tbem forcibly and in violation of the lawa The temperance peoplo are en aristocratic class ; they do not aseociate with others (unless they pledge themselves to totsi abstinence); they feol themselyes above the rest; they wonld not help thom aloug s theis ouly objoct is oppress- jon. The non-temperance people are bound to hang fogether, or thoy would get hanged. How many men aro earping their Living in broweries, dustilleries, etc.? How many mechanics are con: stantly kept employed by saloon-keepers 2 Where and how should those men wake ~their Living ? Thero is more improvement done aud more work roquired in this branch of business than in any othor oe, in proportion to the capi- tal invested ; and employers and workingmen are fighting’sido by side sgaive: the common enemy, because theéir intorests are rociprocal. Many & laboring man who would often keep away from ealoons is bound to go there for the 8ako of bread. ¥ 1f the temperance people are earnestly interd- ing to elevate the community, let them ~hunt up those fraquenting the ealooss, give ther work, pay them for it, and omancipate them from other obligations. LW, CHicAGo, Feb, 23, 1674, - —_—— THE CHICAGD PUBLIC LIBRARY. To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune : i Si: Arecent paragraph m Tme TRIBUNE, to the effect thac the excellent Libyarian of the Public Library would not be able to catalogue and deliver tho books before next September, excites my surprise, if not indigoation, Isym~ pathize with the reading public which has béon patiently waiting for nearly two years to get access to the books for which theyare in famish- ing need; and nowtobe told that they must walt half & year longer is enough to provolm a ssint. The cxpenses of the Library are of necessity great, and theso expenses bave been running on for a long time with a very inado- quate retarn to the public, It sooms strange to me, nlter some acquaintance with both librarics and mercantile establishments, that s institn- tion oo larger than tho present Library should be so long in getting under beadway. Is the cataloguing of a fow thousand volumas so labo- rious sod difficnlt an undertaking that six months more are meeded to accomplish it? Ia s catalogne of 10,000 volumes s more stupendous work thau the inventory of either Stewart or Olaflin’s warerooms? How do booksellers and other mercbants man- agzeto take an account of stock and carry on complicated business st the same time? I make these criticisms in no censorious spirit, but merely to basten the progress of s bonoficent work, in which the entire community is deoply interested. 4 1tis wrong to deprive the resding public of access to a Library which they have been twice taxed xo support. “The management should have opened tho Library to the public during the past ‘winter, to say notbing of further delay. Whatif the Library \was small? so are all libraries at the ontset; but what sano man advocates closing them until they number their 100,000 volumes? And, sgain, what if the present catalogne is un- printed and incomplete? Let the Libranan make written duplicates, and give out books by the writton catalogue 88 fast 2s & section of 100 volumes or 500 ig completed. These he can corroct and Classify after- wards, If he needs more help, let him procure it, and work nights as well a4 days, as otber bnsiness-men do 1n important affairs; but 1t the Library be no longer sealed to the puflhe. —_— PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THIEVES. To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune: Smm: Familiaras persona are, o at least sup- pode themselves to be, with their own property, how often is it the case, when articles of jewelry and wearing apparal are stolen, that the owner is unable to intelligently de- scribe or recognize them. Now, this difficlty might be, in great measure, obvi- ated by the following mesns: Let the owner ‘make out a written doscription of the articls, and lsy it carefully aside for refersmce. If it be & watch, take it to your jeweler, and have him _give you such ~an accurate written description 28 will enablo you' to idantili it in case of theft or loss. Most jewelors keep a record of the number, etc., of the watches ro- aired for their castomore, If persons who have Tont watches had gome to their jowelers, they would doubtless have obtained such a descrip- tion of their property a3 would have ensbled detectives to restore it. Another plan for per- sons who own ornaments is to place them to- getherinacusa or tray, snd take them tos gallery to be photographed. In case of theft, these photographs, or copies thereof, with written descriptions, could be farnished to do- tectivee, jewelers, and pawn-brokers, with al- most & certainty of identification and recovery. The sbove simple and inexpensive precaniions, applicabla to many kiuds of gepmy. would savs somejfamilies thonsandsof dollars. B. 0. LOCAL ITEMS. An unknown woman, evidently inssne, attempted in commit suicide last evening by drowning berself at the besin of the Water-Works, She was rescued by Officer Gavin, and taken to ths City Hospifal, A girl nomed Maggie Kelly, in the employ of Cyrus H. McCormick, while en in cleanibg the pave- o dooat o Ber cmegac's Torldsace o Sheldon sireet, yeaterday afternoon, lost her footing,‘and fell to the ground, fracturing Ler arm. She wis taken into tho bonse whers her injury waa attanded to, . Last evening s womsn named Wilhelmins Kromer, ‘posed, with dutiesinvolving the prevention as well as the punishment of crime, Few have meddled with them, save to find 1ault that, upon their small 'pay, they have not exterminated guilt and disorder. “ It is & bright and happy thought, indeed, that st last whole communities of women are aronsed to the importance of personal sacrifics and effort in behalf of order and morality. To pass by on tho other aide has long been considered the right thing to do. Itis quite a change when multitudes enter boldly into saloons to renson, persuade, and implore. It shows rare good “scmbe to ¢ to evil and combat it, rather than to wait for theevil to come to you. Avoidance of the disreputabls and vile is easy. il Organizations aro plentifal everywhers, whose. aim it is to sift tho wheat from the chlfl? to sev- erthe good from the bad, to divide those who think and believe correctly and those who are in error ; but a real sisterly movement to draw nigh ths outcast and depraved, and to labor in » spirit ‘employed as » domestic at No, 571 Wabash avanus, while engaged fn Washing windows fn the third story of tho house, Iost her footholu and was precipitated to ihe pavément below, 3 distance of nearly 40 fect, She sustained a fractare of both limba st e aukly Jolnty 2nd the physician who attended Ler is of opinion hor tnjuries will neceasitate awputation. IWhy the Ashantce King Sought Peace. Inaletter from Sierrs Leone, published in the London Times; we read : “ Théro are many curions stories afloas sbont the King of Ashan- tee’a proceedings now that his terzitory is baing invaded. The following is a full specimen of - them, and 1llustrates well the extremo eupersti- tioa of the Ashantees, showiog by what in- *fluences Coffee Cslealli is ularly sap- posad to be ided, snd on what counsels ho is mpposefn to rely in the present criais. Coffeo Calcalli, the story goes, rocently summon- ed a great meoring of his Fetishmen, and sought t!}mi( .d'i“h“l:u hl?w he sho‘\fld x:t‘ toward the :nglish—whether ho ought to seck for peace or stk his fortunes on fho result of tHe war. The Fetishmen at first declined to give any answar untdl shey had been that, 50 1ot be forfeited. Having been reassured on this point, they then replied that they saw every- thing dark except the streets of Coomassie, which ran with blood. Coffee Calcalli was dis- satisfied with the vagueness of this reply, and determined to appeal still further to the oracle. He resorted to what he considered a final and conclusive test. Two he goats were salected, one entirely black, the other of = spotless white color, snd after due Fetish ceremonies had been performed over the two goata they were sat at each other= Tho white gost essily oyercama and killed his opponent. Coffee Calcalli, after this test, was satisfied that he was doomed to dofeat at the hands of the white men. He immegluteali sont the embassy to fir Gamnet Wolseley ¢o se for peace.” A CRAZY BOY'S FREAK. Swaying Sixteen Hours on a] Frail Limb in n Tree-Top--Slowly Frecz= ing to Denth=-Efforts at Hesclce= The Successful Ruse. From the Oil City Derrick. The usually quiet neighborhood of Decker's Run, a settlement four of five miles back from Cochranton, last week proved the sceno of an exciting occurrence which created s deep sensa- tion throughout the district. About 6 o'clock on Saturdsy morning » young boy of 16 years named Hallebsugh, who had for some time previous exhibited symptoms of in- eanity, suddenly conceived the idea that ma friends intended to kill him, and rushed from the house toward & brush at a littlo distance. His grandfather aud uncle: vainly pursued the poor fellow. He reached the woods, and with the energy of frenzied despair began climbing a large poplar tree. In a few moments he reached the topmost branches, where he looked down from the dizzy height of seventy feet upon his bafled pursuers. = The weather was bitterly “cold ; the fugitive had neither coat nor mittens, hia clothing being rather stanty st best. How to extricate him from his perilous situation quickly became 3 perplexing question. At ledgth his relatives detormined to make an effort to bring the demented youth safely to the ground; and & couple of men ascended the tree for that purpose, But the frightened boy frus- trated scheme by climbing still bigher and crawling out almost to the eud of a frail-looking limb, that swayod and beut under its unaccus- tomed burden.” From this dangerous elevation he defied all frther attempta at effecting a res- cus, threatening to throw himself headlong tpon the earth if not let alone. - By this time many of the neighbors had gathered; howevar, none conld suggeet any plan of reliet that might hope for & successful 1esue. Hours passed sway without changing the scene or tummntmiilhn agonizing suspense of assembled ecores. His coat was taken up the tree and left as near the unfortunate boy 28 pos- siblo. Ho finally descended far enough to cintch the garment, put it on, and gain re- sumed his position on the fragile branch. To the herrified spectators it seemed 28 if the limb must_break every instant, in which case they shuddered to thiok of the fatal consequences. The moments appeared like Lours in duration, whilo the reckless movements of the cause of this anxiety continually intensified the fear of a terziblo fall, a mangled corpee, and a stricken household. A human life bung by & slender twig, liable fo snap without tho slightest warn- ing. It became painfally evident the boy would ferish from cold if not extricated, and, a8 the last allcrnalive, it was decided to fell the tree. Stout ropes wers fastened bigh up to let it come down elowly, willing hands took firm hold, and the saw wag briskly plied. The monarch of the foreat succumbed a¢ length, amidst tho wildest demonstrations of insane dulight from its dszed occupant. The next minute was pregoant with supreme interest 28 the treo gradually inclined from the perpendicular and its top started to- ward the solidearth. In spite of the exertions af tho men holdiog the ropes it struck sgainat,a huge mapie, but ere the collision taok place the ‘boy gave one frantic yell, sprang apon & limb of the maplo, ran to tHe trunk with the speed and agility of a squirrel, and in & few brief seconds had climbed higher than beforo. Here was an unlooked-for circumstatce, night was npesr at hand, aud hope almost died out in each bosom. Tho moon rose clear and bright and besuti- fal, the rirwas crispand the night bitterly abarp, Midnight came on apace, and stul tha distracted youth remained among the highest branches of tho leafless trce. *Vainly the crowd implored bim to come down and receive food and shelter. Ho continued deaf -to the entreaty, laughiog with ol the glee of a maniac a¢ their earnest ap- pesls. A happy thought eventually loomed up, which no time was lost in Eut(ing into practice. The throng dispersed, with tho exception of & small number of men who secrated themselves bebiud trees and logsto bo in readiness for whatover emergency might demand their asaist- ance. Then 2 yousg pluymate of the crazy boy, to whom he had always been attached, stos at the foot of the tres, proseated dishes of food, and begged him to come down and get sometlung fo eat. This measure finally succeed- ed; the boy yielding to the temptation, and in & little while once more stood upoa the ground. Some of the men quietly stepped from their con- cealment, secared and carried him home, The poor feliow’s hands and face and feet were badly 1rozen as the resuit of his fearful oxposare for over fifteen hours.during the rigors of the cold- est day and cight of the season. The joy of the friends at the announcetnent may be imagined. Every attention was paid the poor sufferer thst affection could devise, and he s progressing favorably, though his intelject is yet 88 clouded .88 before he underwent the dreadful experience of that eventful Saturday, which none who par- ticipated in the exciting scane will ba likaly for many rears to forget. Now Gov, Scott Didn’t Fight a Duel. From Reminiscences of Ez-Gov. Charles Scott, of Ken- A tucky, in the Vaneeburg Kentuckian. Many littlo incidents of his administration are on record. Tha following is among them: - While Gen. Scott was Governor of Kentucky, an ineignificant individual having s desite to distinguish his prowess pratended some offense, singled out Gov. Scott, to whom he sent a chal- longe to & duel. Tho old vetoran very properly refused to notice the challenge. Aleantime tha braggart bad been osteatatiously speculating on the occurrence in advance, not anticipating the tarn it took. After waiting in vain for=an sc- ceptance, and Dot even receiving an answer, he went personally to demand an explanation. ** Gen, Scott, you received my challenge ?" * Your challenge was delivered.” *‘But I have neither received an scknowledg- ment or an acceptance of it.” “I presume not, sir, a8 I have sent neither.” “ But of course you intend to accept 2" “0f course I donot.” What, not accept my challenge?” Ia it pos- sible that'you, Gen. Scott, brought up in the 2y, docline's combat 2 3 Ido with you, sir,” coolly arswered the ero. *Then T have no means of satisfaction left but to post you a3 & coward.” * Post m; .: tl _cowdud! H‘.mlu, ha! Post away, air ; but if jon do, you will post yoursalf 2 Tia%, and overybody il Endw 167 An Imperial Ball. - At the Winter-Palsce, the other night—writes » St. Petersburg wedding-correspondent of the London Times—the ball-room was lit by 5,600 wax lights, and the whole suite of saloons and supper-rooms by 26,600. The exact number of persons who eat down to supper was 1,950, and your readers may judge of the cost of the feast when I say that one dish, of which there was far morp than enofigh for all, was of exceed- ingly fine asparagus. Now, they tell mo that ssparagus in Kt. Pectersburg, st this tme of year, for s supper of 2,000 persons, could not possibly have been bought for lesa than 4,000 roubles, or between 500 aud 600 §mmdx. This most delightful of balls at the obles' Qlub did not end as well asit might have done. Tho getting of costs and hata and carrisges was n most terrific and eodless scene of noise aad confusion, and we found it as hard to get out as the guests at the Elysee seem to have found it bard to get in. A whisper went round at oo time that a gentleman *had fallen down dead in one of the gallenies, but I trust it was n exaggeration. I heard an officer repest it to the woman on his arm. _ She looked young enongh and beantifal enough to be immortal, and ahe must have felt 80100, for her ramark wes, ** How absurd ! . Pure Liquors. Thera is & rather remarkabls bill before the New York Legislature for securin Hquors to copsnmers in tbe city of New York. It pro-. hibits, under sovere penalty, the counterfeiting of any liquor, wine, or bear; and the seller of any euch counterfeit ehall be held to possess guilty knowledge thereof, It provides fors Board of Liquor Examiners, consisting of twen- ty-seven chemists, with twenty-four aasistauts, who shall be aseigned to dutyin the various wards, and who, alter preparing s schedalg of the exact -composition of alf pure liquors, shail be empowered to compel all dealers to conform to the standard, under penalty of fine, impris- onment, seizure of liquor, and revocstion of license. The examiners may enter any liquor- shop at any time, and bogin the'work of inspec- tion and analysis, snd they shall invenr;if:u any liquor or liquor-shop upon baing ssked to do 80 by throe complainanis. IOWA. Special Dispatch to The Chicago Tyibune, D:ds ;!ol‘:;,za, Fel x_;& 25;——'1110 Senate was ev- gsged in the consideration of local bills, the Ev'e':fib;“ Railroad bul having passed yesterdsy A rcsolution making it necessary-for ev voter to present a tax receipt beh:g his !in;z should be received, met with ® strong indorsc- ment, and was referred to & special committes to Teport ls‘& an early day. 'ne Senate pssed & concurrent re that the General Assembly adjourn Mmfloilll?m The House referred to its Railroad Committes the Campbell bill passed by the Senate, with in- stractions 1o report thereon Monday nsxt. An entirely now bill will probably be presented a3 » substitute. At least s week is yot assigned to a general railroad law and the numerous special railroad bills; and no prediction can be made as tothe final resalt, though thers i no question sbout the passage of » very strong bill. THE AGRICOLTURAL COLLEGK 1NVESTIGATION is exciting no greater interest than during the past two weeks. It is expected that the College ?lf;\icarl will be disposed of in a few days, and en THE RASEIN DEFALCATION will be reopened, aud herein satonishing discom erics re promised. The burden of the theftis, to be placed on othor men than i B pdiaiodagors MISSISSIPPI, Syecial Dispatck lo Tie Chicago Tribuns. Mexemis, Tenn.,, Fob. 23.—A bill was intros duced in the Missiesippi Legislature yesterdsy to rogulate railroad fares, aud will, if passed, make & reduction from 1234 to 4 cents per mile. Another resolution, in the Lower House, for 1 double daily"session, was squelched instanter, and. goon after, members Mosely and Stone,jthg former colored, had a lively set to, dunng wl Ppistols were drawn but not nsed. . FIRES. : At Panama. - New Yorx, Feb-28.—It is reported that dis patches have heen received in this city giving tho news of s ferrible conflagration in i‘::nmn on the 25th inst., whereby the largest portion of the business part of the town was destroyed. The lossen are estimated at over $1,000,000, mostly insured in London. B KIxostoN, Jamaica, Feb. 31.—There was » Yery serious fire in Panama on the 19thy by which the greater portion of that ity was burned. Among the buildings destroyed sroths Grand Hote), - the City Saloon and bank. Tho loea is rougbly estimated at $1,000,000, mainly covered by inaursuce. New York, Feb. 28.—DBrief telegrams have been received about tha fire in Panama. Messrs. Ribon & Munoz, of this city, have becn in- formed that their house is burned and fally in- sured. - Messrs. Llnshm'f & 'Elman, who had stores in tho Grand Hotel sud Cathedral square, report themselves burned out and insured. The houses of Mr, Merino, on Common street, back of tho hotel, were also burned. At Westervilte, O, CrxcryNaTt, O., Feb. 28.—An Enguirer special Teports the burming of the boarding-houso of the Otterbien University, at Westersille, Ohio, after midnigat, this moraing. Loss, $6,0007 insurance, £5.000. The housa was fall of board- ers, many of them (irls, some Larely escaping with their lives, losing their clotling axcapt night garmenta, At Valparaiso. special Dispateh to The Chicago Tyibune, VArrazaso, Ind., Feb, 28.~The freight house of the Fort Wayne Road was completely do- stroyed by fire this afternoon, csused by & de- fectiye fino. A large lot of grain and goods in stors wera losh. ———— BAEZ. He Xs Arrested on Complnint of & Citle zen of Connecticut Charging Cone spiracy Against His Life and Prope erty. New Yorr, Feb. 28.—Judgo Pratt this mom- ing granted & warrant for the arrest of Benaven- tura Baez, ex-President of Santo Domingo, on application of Davis Hatch, a_wealthy residont of Connecticat. He brings action for damages sgainst Baez, charging tho President with cone Spiring against his liberty, wealth, and We. It seems that Hatch acquited possession of an immense salt muue In Santo Domingo from the Spanish sutborities. Hatch was_suddenly arrested and charged with being in sympathy with the Cabral faction, was sent to prison, kept {here five months, broaght befora & drum-head court-martisl, summarily tried, and sentenced to death. Ho was then pardoned by Baez, and his mino confiscated. The complaint of plaintiff recites a story of frightful corrap~ tion, fraud, and villsiny. Bail was fixed at $25,000. D o LEGAL INTELLIGENCE: The LaSalle County Tax-Collector Enjoined. _OrTawa, 111, Feb. 28.—Judge Leland, of our, Circuit Court, this morning granted 4 temporary’ injunction to the Ottawa Gas and Coke Com- pany, to enjoin the Collector from collosting the amount of their State and county ¢axes, amounte ing to about $100. Libel Suic Agninst the St. Louis Domos crat. 8r. Lours, Mo., Feb. 28.~The Rev. B i Barnitz, of New York, Sunday-Schoot Secretary of the American Bible Unian, filed a patition iz the United States Circnit Cours this evening, sking 950,000 damages of the St. Louis Demo- crat Company for defamation of character in al- leging that, on the 8th of Januai,, while & guest st the Pianters’ House, he permitted vneof the fomale boarders of that house to share his reom with him. The Democrat’s article was basad on statements made by the proprietor and alerk of Lo Planters® House. CASUALTIES, . mtal Boller Explosion. CrxervNatt, 0., Feb. 28.—A bailer in Loukt Snider & Son’s plger mill, at Hamilton, 0., ox- ploded this mornibg, instantly killing Clark ;‘ndlwn\mding Gny McNeely snd & sonof 3o eely. Killed in o Coal Mine. RiomoxD, Feb. 28.—Two brothers named Nov mally, were killed to-dsy in the,Clover Iill cosle mine by the caving of the OBITUARY. . Dr. EIl Pierce, Arcola, Inde Special Dispatch to The Chicage Tribune. AzrcoLa, Ind., Feb. 25,~Dr. Eli Pieice, whil walking on the railroad to-day, dmgm ead in an_spoplectic fit. A geotleman, walking s few 10ds behind, bad barely time to draw the body from the track befors an approaching traid would have ran over it. He was much respect: bad practiced medicine here 40 years, and was years old. TELEGRAPHIC BREVITIES. The Gove{nnr o Wisconsin bas offered » Biatt yewsrd for tha arrest of the murderer of M. Brownlee, 1 Snv;.k Caru:ybozhh:h makes tho 1o~ ward naw offered over . —The Supreme Court 3’: Ohio_bas rofused 10 allow s writ of error in the Hood murder case. —A” Committos of_the Southern Presbyierisn Church isin New York to_communicata with & Comumittes of the Northern Presbyterian Church, with & view to the union of the two bodina. ° —Mra. Saran C. Dresney, widow of s member of Congress from Ohio, bas bronght i suit for 810,000 againat the proprietors of & Nyw Yok omnibus line, from one of whoss stages, whilo getting out, she was thrown violently to ¢! m‘mmg and geriously injured, the horses haric: Dbeen siarted ton soon. Bhe obtained 8 verdict for $1,000. < — Bishop Cammins will organize to-dsy tbe First Reformed Episcopal Chusch of Brooklyz WESTERN COLLEGE Assccmu. Speeial Dispateh to The Chicago ns. Gurvaauna, 1l Fob. 28.—The-adjourned moeting of the College Convention met &r12 olclock iast night. The oficers a5 elecced werd Henry C- Adams, of Grinnell, Ia., President; T. ¥. Dimos, of Champaigu, Vice-Prosident ; A- L. Sprague, of Boloit, Becretary; B. T. Wilsog, of Tows City, Treasurer. It waa decided to b the next contest st Iowa City. Afuch the £220 rules and regulation a8 governod the contest ot Inst evening being sdoptod It is ex that before the commencemept of this yesr Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan will be induced 10 Join the Association. whila , SUICIDE. r— Specral Dispateh to The Chicaoo Jorrer, 1L, Feb. 28.—The body of Thomss & Biske was discavered in the river, at this plsch Doceased halls from about noon to-day. Mich, and lesvos » family. Ho bad beea i (b6 city but s fow daya. Ho is supposed to bste i impelling cause beis§ committed suicids, the e Beuition @ T \ DERER KO W e b, p ——