Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, November 25, 1876, Page 4

271, “Paneral Notlce—Tho membersof i " sult in the commitment to jail of all the par- THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1876—TWELVE PAGES. - closing stendy at £5.65@5.90 for packing neither did the count or the omission to for tho Democratfo nomination for Governor of New York; nnd his declaration of what to frameo a single law but what brought with it ondless aud fruitless litigation, by renson mittee, and Benator Jonn SnrnvAy, of Ohlo, Is Chalrman of the Republican Committee, and Eclipses, In thls re \ oy followa: wlon. There wilty gy, @1 @ and averaged 100 higher than Thursday, | mission of the Btate into the Union, but in === ye @ TERMS OF SUBSCRIFPTION. PAYABLE IN ADVAN Th Tatly Editton, postratd, 1 yea Trartaof A year, prrmon! 10, P weeka Tor, Madled to any midrees Eunday” Baltlon: Literary aid elly Rheed Tri-\veckiy, portpaid, 3 ye Tarta of & year, per month WEEKLY EDIT! One copy, per yer C1ub of )l.l\":4 2 TOSTAGE PREPAID AT C Srecimen coples sent free. ‘Ta yrevent delay And mistakes, be suroand give Poste ©Of"ee address In full, including State and County. Remlttances may bomado clther by draft, oxpress, Toet-Oftice order, o In registercd letters, b our risk, 7ERMS TO CITY SUDSCRIDRRS, Dofly, deltzered, Sunday excepted, 25 centd per week, Dafly, delivered, Bunday Included, 30 cents per week Aditress THE TRIDUNE COMPANY, Corner Madizon and Dearborn-sts., Cl AMUSEMENTS. MoVickern Thentres Madlson strect, bopwee an % , *3iartna by tho Kellogs Tronpe, Even: l'l(,fl:e“}'nl:“u Qxél‘lr{);\'umy(.‘ue "oy w‘o Compsoy. Adelpht Thentre. T o AR GRS % 1inverly’s [Thentre, ternoon and evening. Wond’s Musenin, sirect, Letween State and Dearborn, Clie Tor iores. " ATieraoun and evenIng. SOCIETY MEETINGS. waA DLANEY LODOE. NO. 271, A F\ & A, M.— aney Lodgs are fra- I T AL o TR S i '-x‘ 2 &élllongrlgcl:fl (Gatuntas) aticrhoou, without o gy YivwARD coOR, W. at. SATURDAY, NOVEAMBER 25, 1870 Groenbacks at the New York Exchange yesterday closed nt 91§. Avexaxpen H, Sreruess lus sufficiontly regained his hoalth to make the journey from his home to Washington, whoere he intonds remaining throughout the approaching ses- sion of Congress, His ominent ability and his influence in behalf of moderation and conservatism will bo needed in the Honso this winter, Gov. Ketroao's statement of the complex- jon (political) of the next Legislatnre of Louisiana gives the Repnblicans sixty-one and the Democrats sixty members of the House, without contests, and twelve seats in dispute; whilo the Senate stands eighteen to fifteon in favor of the Republicans, with three couteats to ho decided. Prrer Dixwopie Wicaintox is the name of the Democratio candidate for Congress in the Fourth California District who failed of re-clection by one vote, aud Roxyanpo Pa- cneco, ex Lioutenant-Governor of the State, is his successor. P. D, W. has been chiefly consplicuous from the frequency with which his name has not appeared in tho yeas and nays, and it is confidently oxpeeted that Gov. Pacneco will distinguish himself in a diffor- ent fashion. The Supreme Court of South Carolina evidently meaus businesy > At 4 o'clock yes- terdny afternoon the members of the Can- vassing Board and their counusel, United Btates District-Attorney Corpiy, were cited to show cpuse why thoy should not he com- mitted for contompt in refusing to obey the mandato of tho Court, An offort to gain timo was unsuceess- ful, the Court refusing the application except under s pledga of oledience to its authority, which the rclators declined to give. Tho case was postponed until to.day, to admit of the necessary legal formalities, aud, from the declarations of Associate-Jus- tico WirrLarp, the understanding wns definite and unnistakable that continued porsistence in the disregard of the judicinl order will re- ties in contompt, It in nstonishing to note that o Louisville Court has decided thut pgowmbling can be punished in that city. Naturally, the black- leg fraternily are oxcited and indignant at this fencronchmont upon the rights that they had cowe lo look upon ns securely vested, and thoy Lave no intention of tamely submitting to the decision that tho keeper of o faro-gamo cau be compelled Loth to pay o ine and endure six monthy' imprison. ment. Tho case is to be taken to the Court of Appeals, and the gamblers of New York, Chicngo, ond othor cities are to #chip in" $10,000 toward paying the ex- penses of the tost litigation, I'here {s an almost forgotten law of Illincls on the same subject, and it is to be hoped that the cnrd- sharpers will be afforded an early opportu- ity under the incoming State’s Attorney to muke up numerous tost cases. If it iy the imprisonment that hurts, that's the scrow to turn, The Chicago 7'mes hns been clutching dos- perately at » straw to save TiLDEN from drowning. Kome idle porson started the Btory that the nmne of one of tho Republic- an Electors—Mr. Uastres—had beon spelled without nn *“#" in the southern counties of the State, and with sz “s" in the northern counties; that thore was & man in Egypt who spelled his name Joseen J. Casrie, and conscquently there was a divided Ilepublican voto on the namo of Oastres, which would let in one of the *“Reformors,” whoss vote would elact Baxt Tropen Prosidont. It was the old fablo of the milkmaid who let fall from her Lead the bucket of milk, with which sho intonded to buy the eggs, raise the voultry, purchaso the benutiful dress that would captivato the nico, rich young man, and induce him to warry Ler. A cold, curt, six-line dispatch spoils forever tho numerous long and power- ful articles in the veracions Z'imes and its gain of a TiLpex Elector In Nlinofs, viz, ¢ Srunarieln, Nov. 24,-=There has been somo talk o the papers about a mistake In the name of Juserss J. Cavtizd, Hepublican Elector: for the Niuoteenth District, No mutuke has been mado, ‘The otficlal returna from 101 countles all have the uame printed correctly, 8o T1Lven will not ride into the White Houso on that straw. T ———— ‘The Chicago produce markets wera frregu. lor yestordny., Mess pork cloed steady, nt 16,90 sellor the yeur nnd §10.12) for January, Lard closed 2jo por 100 lbg lower, ot $9.80 for the year aud §0.82)@ 9.85 for January, Dleats wero ashade firm. er, at 6}o for new shoulders, boxed, 8ic for do short-ribs, and 8jc for do ehort-clears, Highwines wero steady, at $1.00} per gallon. Flour was In light dewandand firm, Wheat closed jo lower, at 1,12} for Decom- ber and $1.14} for January. Corn closed 1@10 lower, ut 4i}o for November and 48§o for Docewber, Oats closed easier, at 42jc for December, Rye was firm, ot C8j@07c. Barley closed 2G24clower, at 670 for Decemn ber and 680 for January. Hogs were active, grades. Cattle were sctivo nnd firmer, with soles nt $2,26@5.60, Bleep were quie, ab $2.76@4.50. Ono hundred dollars in gold would buy $109.50 in greenbacks ot the close. Tho delny in eanvnssing the vote of Cook County has prevented the oatlier report of tho oxact resnlt of the late eloction in this State. 'The following appear to be the figures: & Hayes, Ttop. Tilden, Dom, Tayea' majority...... Callom, Rep., Governor. Stoward, Dem. and Granger voto. Cullom™s majority..eeauees Shuman, Rep., Liout..Gov. Glenn, Dom., Lisut. -Goy Shaman's majority. Pickrell, Induvesinnes Total vate of State on Presldent 70,800 ‘The Republican mnjorityon the remainder of the Btate ticket is, except for Auditor, just about 26,000, A good many Republic. ans who'were eaplivated by Tiupex's assor- tion that ho was n great Reformer voted for him for a change, which accounts for the smnllness of Haves' majority. The Grangers and Democrats clubbod teams on Goveruor and Auditor, but still were beaten by 7,000 votes, Among the subjects considered yesterdny by the Louisiana Retarning Board was the caso of ono of tho election districts in Natchitoches Parish, in which but three Electors wero voted for on either ticket. This was the result of's blunder on the part of the Comtnissioners of Elaction and the United States Supervisor, who testified that, under a misapprehiension of the law, they thomselves had erased from the ballots, after they had been voted, the names of all but threo Electors on ench ticket, retaining only the names of the two Electors-at-Large nnd the Elector for that Congressional District. Tho mere fact that this partioular voting precinct gave o majority for the Ilaves Electoral ticket was sufficient to draw from Col. Zacnante, lending counsol for the Dem- cratio candidates, a protest against any ac- tion looking to the correction of the crro- neous return, but the Board very justly de- cided that if tho ballots were produced for inspection the quustion of correction would be considerod. This attempt to disfrauchise 8 large number of votera of both parties merely bocause the election officials erred in the porformance of their duties, is what the Democrats call having a fair and honest connt, If tho snme mistake had oceurred in a strong Democratio district, what a howl- ing would be set up for a count of allthe votes ! THE PRECEDENTS FOR COUNTING THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE. ‘While it is possible that the issue of the Presidentiol clection may be made to turn upon the final count of the Electoral votes a8 they aro certified to Washington, and since Mr. Cranesox N. Porrer's assumption that the connt or refusal to count rests with tho present Democratic Houso of Represent- atives, it is pertinont to reeall the practico that hos heretofore obtained. The direction given by the Conatitution is that * The Pres- ident of the Senate shall, in the presence of tho Senate and House of Representatives,| open nil the cortificates, and the votes shall be then counted.” Proviously to the year 1865, when tho Twenty-second Joint Rule was ndopted permitting cither Houso to ob- ject to tha count of u State, the constitu. tlonal direction wns construed literally auvd followed nccordingly. The constitutionality of the joint rule was never tested, because the urgency never arose in which tho count of any Btate objected to would affect the re- oult. But this joint rule has not been adopted by tho presout Congreas, and, of course, will not be adopted now. Cougress, therefore, must fall back upon the constitutional dirce. tion; and the foirest construction that can be placed upon that is the one that is in keeping with the precedents, All the preco- dents are iu favor of its literal interprotation, nud the count of tho votes aud the anuounce- ment of the result by the President of the Sennte. The first United Btates Senate organized under the present Coustitution clected Joux Lanapoy President of the Benate, and there- upon passed tho following resolution : Orde red~That Mr, ELtswonti inform the Iouse of Represcntatives that o quorum of the Senatels formed; that 8 Prestdent I8 elected for the sole Durpose of opentuy the certlficates and counting the votes of the Electurs of tho several States in the cholee of a President und Vice-Preshdent of the Uuited States; and that the Senato {+ now ready, 1n the Benate Chamber, to proceed i the presunce of the House to dlscharge thot duty, and that the Senate have appoluted one of thelr members to sit ut the Clerk's tablo to make o llst of the votes as they shall be declared, submitting It to the wisdom of the House to appolint one or more of tholi meme. Bers for a like purpose. Thus, from the very stard, the opening of tho certificates and the counting of the votes waos comunitted to the President of the Sen- ate, Tie Iouse of Ropresontatives imime- diatoly acquiesced, and Mr. Mapmoy was instructed to say to the Senate that the noti. flention of the eloction of President and Vice. Presidont shiould be made ** by such persons ond in such monner as the Senato shall bo plensed to direct.” The second count of tho Prosidentinl voto was in 1703, Jony Apis was then Vice.President, nud sunounced his own re-slection, aud the rulo by which the count was conducted and which was made by Rurus Kino, one of tho original framers of the Constitution, was ns follows : The two Mouscs whall smemble fn the Benato Chamber on Wednesdoy noxt at 12 o'clock; that one person shall be appointed o teller, on the part of tho Senate, to make n livt of the votes az they shatl be declared; that tho rasult shiall be detlvered to the President of the Senate, who shall announce ths atale of the role and the persons elecled, to tho two Housca asecinbled as aforcsnid, which saall be deemed a declaration of the persona elected Presl- dent and Vico-Presldent, and, toguther with a list of the votes, Le entered vu the journnlu of the two Houses, At the noxt count, Jonx Apaus, still Vice. Prosident, opened tho certificates, made the count, and aunounced his own election as Presidont, Iu the fourth count ocourred the memorable coutest between JrrermsoN and Tuun; and, though the votes for the two men were n tle, and Jerrenson himself was Vico-President, no offort was mado to inter. foro with Jerrensox's right and duty to count the vote. 'Tho mame practice was followed in the counts of 1805, 1809, and 1813, In 1817, when Monzor was elected, Mr, 'CAYLOR, & momber of the House from New York, en- deavored to object to counting the vote of Indiang, on the ground that it was not a Htato of the Union at the time it voted; but Mr, Pavron wes ruled out of ordér, and the ouse, by an almost unanimous vots, in its separata cousidoration of the matter, wus. toined the ruliug. In 1821 there was somo question 83 to whether the vote of Missouri should bo counted, aud in 1837 & slmilar question gs to connting tho vote of Michigan; in both cases tho doubt arose us to the technical ad. count affect tho result. A joint rule was adopted in both cases previous to the count, authorizing the Premidont of the Honato to announce the result as so many votes in caso the State wero counted, and so many in‘easo it ware not counted ; but there was no dis- position to deprive the President of the Bonnte of his constitutional function, The samo practice waa followed at tho subsequont ZElectoral counts until tho joint rulo of 1865 waa adopted, the constitutionality of which was never tested, but was always in doubt, Tho nbandonment of that rulo by the present Congress naturally revives tho provious prac. tico under the constitutional direction. Tlore aro many instances which indicate that it was tho intention of the framers of the Constitution, ns it was eminently proper, to doprive Congress of all claim to the privi- lego ‘of pnssing upon tha Electoral vote. Cuantes PiNcrNEY, ono of the most sble men in the Constitutional Convention, do- clared afterwards in Congress that— He remembered very well that In the Federal Convention great care was used to provide for the clection of President of the: United States inde- pendent of Congress; to take tho businessas far 88 possible out of thelr hands. The voteaare to be given by Electors appointed for that express purpose. The Electors arotobe appointed by each State, and tho whole directlon aa to tne manner of thelr appolntment s glven to the State Legisla- tures. Nothiog was more clear to him than that Congresa had no right to meddle with ttat all; as ho whole waa Intrusted to the State Lelsinturcs, they wonld make provision for all questions srising on tho occaston. Lator on, Mr, Prvcxyzy also said that *‘to give Congress, oven when assembled in Con-. ‘voution, n right to reject or admit the Elect- oral votes of States, would have boen so gross and dangerous an absurdity as the framers of tho Constitution never would have boen glilty of.” This was said in 1800, but the remark is not less strikingly trme now than it was then; besides, it has tho ndditional weight of having been made by one of the framors of tho Conmstitution whercof he spoke. In keeping with this construction, all motions, objections, and dobnte have al- ways been ruled out of order. In 1849, when Geonoe M. Darras was Vico-Presidont, ho opeued the joint session of the two Houses by reminding them that thoy had assombled ‘‘so that Jmay fulfill tho duty enjoined upon me by the Constitution.” On that occasion Mr, Sternens offored a sugges- tion, and was promptly reminded that no motion was in order, and no other proced- uro could bo taken excopt that pointed out by the Constitution, Bo, as late as 1865, whon Seuntor Wang suggested abridging the roading of the returns, ho was reminded by Alr, 8. 8. Cox that no motion conld bo sub- mitted, and the Chair sustained the point. All the precedents, except the Twenty- second Joint Rule, which no longer exists, are favorable to the notion that the duty of counting the Electoral votes is purely minis- terial, that it devolves upon the President of the Sonate, and that it was purposely saved from all interforenco on the part of the Housoe of Representatives bacause it becomes the duty of tho House to choose a President when there has been a failure to elect in the Etectoral College. TILDEN'S REVOLUTION. The scheme for the election of Mr. Trx- DEN to tho Presidency, proposed by Mr. Cranxsox N. Porren, of New York, is not only revolutionary in itself, but its publica. tion at this time is full of significance. ‘What is it that ho proposes shall be done? He anssumes in advance, and without a knowledge of the nctual faots, that the States of Florida and Louisiana have each givon a popular majority for the TrmpeN Electors ; and ho insista that if, upon the canvass of the votes of those States by the officers appointed for that purpose nnder the laws of those States, the election of Havxs Eloctors shall be officially declared, that then the votes of those States shall not be counted 1 declaration of the election of the President and Vieo.President ; but that the House of Representatives shall thereupon proceed, ns if thero were no electlon, to clect a President by tho ropresentatives of the Btates. It will bo noticed that if Lou- isiona and Florida shall be returncd as voi- ing for Trupcy, Mr, Porres proposes that their votos shall bo counted ; but if they be retnrned as voting for Haves, they caunot be counted without the consent of the House, which consent he insists that the House will not give, and ought not to give. ‘Cho argument is that the two Houses of Congress nct ns two persons {u counting tho returns for President and Vice.Presidont; that tho votes returned can only be counted by the consent of both Houses; thnt tho objection of cither Mouse must exclude the vote objected to, and that the declared result, to be authoritative, must Lo assented to by each House. o assumes that the Sonate will not agree to the rejection of the returns of these States, in which cnso, tho two Houses failing to ngroe, there will bo such a failure to elect as is contemplated by the Coustitu. tion when it is made the duty of the House of Reprosentatives to proceed to eleot n Pres. ident. Itis claimod that as each ITouse of Congross is to decide for itself, and as tho concurrence of the two Houses ia essontial to the declaration of the result of the elec- tlon, o, in tho absonco of such an agree- ment, the Iongo of Representatives will be. come the sole and exclusive judge whether tho occasion exists for the exercise of the power given toit by the Coustitution, of electing n Prosident as provided for in the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution, Thero can be no mistaking thoe purpose ond the motive of this proposition, Itis that Treoex shall by, oleoted Presidont under avy and all ciroumatances, It monns that Tipex is to be declared Prosidont by the votes of the Electoral Colleges, if possible, or by the joint action of the two Houses of Congress, or, failing this, is to be declarod President by the present Democratio House and the Domocratie party at whatover cost it may involve. It meaus that if Haves have o majority of tho Elootoral vote and be de- clared elocted, that theso faots are to bo dis- regarded, and that Tizoex is to be declared President, and his claim to that offico to bo supportod let tho consoquences be what thoy may. The proposition {s to make TivoEN Prosident, aud to do this by n revolution of the forms of law aud of the law itself; by a selzure of the Government, or the erection of another Govorament, and in either case onding in revolt, insurreotion, and civil war betwoon the partisans and adherents of the rival Presidents aud Governments, Wonoed not point out the demoralization of the coun- try under such a coudition of affaire, It this proposition wero simply that of o private oitizon, it might be classed among the many wild schemes suggested by heated partisans, But My, Portensbears a closo per- sonal and political relation to Mr, Tioex, 3r, Porres is o luwyer of high legal raputa. tion; he is experienced in Congressional legislation; he is a member-elect to the next Congress; he is a personal partisan of Mr TieoeN; Lo was was the choiso of the latter ought to be dono and what will be dene in case the voto of Louisiann and Florida be given for Havea and WureLer, may bo ne- copted aa convoying to the country the opin- {ons, wishes, feelings, and desired action of Mr. Trizoen. To the extent that Mr. Tinpes can bo held responsible for this papor boar- ing the namo of Mr, Porren, the country is admonished in advanca that, unless the off- cial returns from Lonisiana and Florida shall furnish Electornl votes onongh to clect Mr. Tioxy, Mr. Tibeny nnd his supportors, in Congress nrd out of it, will not submit to the oloction of Mr, Huves, but will, throngh a protonded election by the Democratio ma- Jority in the House of Represontatives, have himgelf declarod olected, and will nssume to Do Presidont, and levy war upon all who may deny or opposo his authority, Summed up in n single sentenco, it is a*decloration of war for the Prosidonoy by Mr, Tiuoex unless he bo declared clected. Thoro 18 no denying that this threatisa serious one. Not that it will intimidate auy one, orchange the regnlar progress of avents; but it {8 serious becanse it gives to the erim. inal, vicious, disorderly, and rcvolutionary classos an onbdouragement for insurrcction aud violenco from men who have held higher places in public estimation. It is a promise, 80 far as it can be, of a goneral ro- volt of the Domocratic party against the Govornment of the United States; it is a promieo that another and opposing Govern- ment shall bo erected; and that, while the madness and fary of partisan strife shall con- tinue, thera shall bo anarchy throughout the 1and, and the substitution of force for lnw, and that a majority of one branch of Con- gress and o large minority of the other will be in the very advance of the rovolutionary party. We, however, have too much faith in popular intolligence, and in American ro- spect for law and for honest and lawful elections, to believa that Mr. Tinpes, oven though backed by a mnajority in tho Houso of Representatives, will bo abla to rally any considerable portion of even the Democratic party to take up arms against their common conntry to put Mr, Titpey in the Executivo chair, We can understand that the lnrge cities of the Atlantio States and even of the West may contribute multi- tudes of gnmblers, ruffiaus, and others of the nou-working classes, who may talk loudly of gore and dead corpses, and even resort to as- sassination nnd murder'; but these are not the men of which to make armies or to en- gago in open and civilized war. Wo do not beliove that, outside of the gambling fra. tornity who have money at stake, and the office-holders aud office-seckers, thoro are enough American citizens, Demoerals or Re- publicans, in the United States who are ready to volunteer to engnge in war to support the claim of any man for the Presidency ngainst the person daclarod elected Ly those intrust- od bylaw with tho duty of making that declaration, Tha throat fulminated by Mr, Porres, and through him pre- sumably by Mr. Troex, while it is infamous because incendiary, and criminal becanse revolutionary, whilo it may add to the publie excitement and temporarily hold out o prom- iso of lawlossnosa and annrchy, will foil to firo tho heart of the Democratic portion of the peoplo to the point of rushing to arms to engage in war to mako Mr. Tiupen Presi- dent, Unless Mr. Titpey can find some other means of supplying the ono vote which ho needs than a civil war, the country, in. cluding the millions who voted for him, will let him fight his battles alone. The disap- poiutment of Mr. Tiroey, who lacks but one voto of an eloction, ean well be understood, ag can nlso be understood tho desp mortifica- tion his vanity has suffered; bLut better mon lve sustained greater disnppointments than this, and his grief and disappointmonts fur- nish no cause for civil war, nor will there be war to settlo this yuestion of succession. Novertheloss, wa submit to the country whother this formal threat of revolution and civil war to make TiLpey President, whether elected or not, does not merit uwniversal rebuke and condemnation. BUGGESTIONS FOR OUR SUPREME COURT. By tha thirty-first section of Articlo VI. of the Constitution of this State it s provided that *All Judges of courts of recordinforior to the SBupreme Courtshiall, on or before tho first day of June of each year, roport in writing to the Judges of tho Supremo Court such defects and omissions in the laws as their ex- perionce may suggost ; and tho Judges of the Buprome Court shall, on or Lofore tho firat day of Jnnuary of each year, report in writ- ing to the Governor such dofects and omis- elons in tho Constitution and laws ns thoy 1ay flud to exist, together with appropriato forms of bills to cure such defects and omis- sions in the laws.” The State of Ilinois has suffered porhaps more than any othor State in the Union from unconstitutional laws, and the Court of last resort scems to tako delight iu declaring them so, 'The above section of the Constitu. tion is n rogular * bulldozor " on the Judgos, and makos it their duty to not only polut ont defects in the Constitution itself, but to point ont all defects and omissions in tho laws, nud to framoe bills to meet thom. We would like to ask tho Judges of this Stato it they have ever discovered anything wrony in the ad- ministration of the criminal lnw of the State, which allows criminals of all grados to vscape by the most contemptible technicalities. If thoy over found that the law pertaining to continuances and changes of venuo waroe abusied and justico cheated and thwarted by the chicanery of shystars, pottifoggers, aud oven thoso of high doegreo, in consequenca thereof ? If such things have ever ocourred, we would like to have the Judges of the Su- prame Court sond up to tho General Assem- bly bills upon the subjoct. Agaln, did it ever oceur to any Judge in the State of Illi- nois that there was auything out of gear with the tax laws? For forty years tnxation liag been rogarded by our County and Bn. promo Courts as & high crime and misde- meanor, and all lnws passed to collevt the revenue as falling but little short of offeuses provided in tho criminal codo. In no other Htate in the American Unlon can thero be found such a colloction of glaring incon. sistencios, such nonsensical ovasions, suck a want of right up-and-down common sense, s has charactorized our courts in construing the rovenuo laws, . To lio and oheat is regarded dlshonorable, but for a mon to evade the payment of Lis taxes, and resort to technical objections that are mode use of only by o sneak-thiof or confidence operator, hias been and is regarded respectablo in a tax-fighter, Did it ever occur to any of our Judges that almost every docision whiok they bave ron- dered in regard to taxes for years has been and i3 nn oncouragement for dishonesty ? Almost every law portaining to taxation is in thelr judgment filled with dofects, and the wit of man has not up to this hopr boen able of the sympathy of tho courts for inx- fightera, Legitimato taxation is in their judgmont only attained by those gifted with a knowl- edgo and skill equivalont to absolute perfec- tion. We would just liko to nce the Judges of tho Bupreme Court of Lhis State frame ono singlo provision of Inw—long or short—that will allow an amendmont to nny paper, pro- coss, or procoeding whatover, from tha com- moncemont to the conclusion of levying or collocting a tax. Wa clinllengo them to spec- ify or point out under the decisions which thoy hiavo randered hero ono single chango of a lino, letter, or figire, whother it rolates to the clerienl, ministorial, or judicial dutics of any officer. Tha sclenco of taxation like the solence of murder (for both hiave Leon ro- duced to n solonco) is to the judicial mind moro complex and nbstruse than all olse in tho renlms of heavon or earth, Judgo MoArvuister, when he was on the Bonch, was always tronblad with * the pla- citn,” “tho nbuse of powor,” *romittitur” “nonconformity to established usagos,” ““bnd plens,” ote., and nbout the only grap- plo that ho evor had with fundamental prin. ciplos was when ho deolared that thero was no power in the Stato to establish and main- tain & Reform School for homeloss, hapless children * growing up in idleness, mendi- cancy, and vice," It syould bo a matter of goneral interest to know whether Judgo Bcorr, who rocently decided tho Mize Evans cnso, which lognl- ized Mire Evavns, Ep Pnuwrtes, and Dave TuonnToN's **bulldozing” the people of tho Bouth Town of Chicago out of thoir votes, discovered any defects in the Township-Organization law during his long and watchful vigils over the South Town clection. Ara thore nmy defects in the election laws or the trial and conviction of ballot-box stuffers, ropenters, and illogal voting? Tho people of the Eighteenth ‘Ward, ayenar or two ago, were almost com. plotoly disfranchised by the Conconay gang aud the ‘‘Hatch Houso precinct.” 'The “ gtuffors” and ** ropentors were ‘arrested and indicted, Lawyer O'Bnmex transported the whole crowd down into Will Couaty on achango of venue, Then sickness in his family, and then a continunnce, then—wall, thero is the case atill undisposed of, and the Eighteenth Warders voting the Inde- pondent ticket. Wo wonder if there aro any ‘‘dofects ¥ in that mattor. Wo wish that Brother Moony would pray with the Judges of the Suprome Court, and all tho Judges of tho inforior courts in this State, just once, so that they mny have a renlizing sonso of the wants of the peoplo and of a God in Tsracl. TWEED AND TILDEN, Boss Tweep has arrived, after his long vaeation, and is once more back in his old quarters, luxuriating at the expenso of the State. Undor tho presont political aspects it is o thousand pities that Mr Tweep did not bethink himself to make his vacation shorter, and come home aud tell the country ‘what lie knew about T1LpeN before the elec- tion. o might have been of great servico to the country, and saved us the woful political prodicament in which wo now find ourselves had ho made n frank confession. That hio has a confession is ovident from tho fright which overtook Mr. Tinpex and his manager, Mr. Hewitr, lest he might arrive in Noew York the day befora the election and moke it, Mr, Tweep, by'a confession made at that time, might have insured penco and tranquillity to tho whole country. Ho could have exposed the swindlo of 1808, when he and Timpzy stolo the vote of New York and gave it to the Democrats. He could have shown bow the steal wns dfno, and exnctly what part Mr. Tipey bad init. Hoe could have told ua how the famous TrupEN circulars weroe prepared ; how, wheu, sud whero the seeret TiLoeN enucuses wero held, and what was done at them; how many ballot-boxes wore stuffed, and how many votes wera stuffed into them; how he and Mr, Trupen used the power thoy thus corruptly ob- tained, and how Tiubex's friends made monoy by his help, Last of all he might have oxposed the uubinndsomo manner in which T1zpex Iaid down on him after the New York T'imes hod forroted ont his rascalitios, Such u confession ns this, made promptly and fully and before the election, would have saved tha country from its present muddle, and tho Democratic threats of revolution, by giving the State of Now York to the Re. publicans, and clecting Mr., Haves be- yond any question. It s a pity that the commander of tho TFranklin hod not wsed his conl more dis- creotly, and, instead of cruising down in the tropics, como straight homo and given the old man the chauce which Tipey and Hewrrr o much dreaded, It might not como amiss, howevor, for him to confess evon now, 8o that in casa of the election of TiupeN tho pooplo may know tho real char. ncter of the politionl trickstor who figured himself into power, The Ropublicans of the Southern Btates havo had to contend against foarfnl odds, The wonder is not that they Lnve dono so poorly, but that they Lave made any head- way at all ngainst the rifle-clubs aud bnll- dozers. Gon. TurrLe, of Jown, a gallant soldier in the War for the Union, and all his life o Domoerat, has just roturned from Louisinna, 1fo snys: 1aves has carried Loulsfana beyond a doubt, if o fuir and honest count of votes was had, He was surprised that any Republican votes were castat all, The white Xepublicans were Intimidated by soclal ostraclem, and tho the blucka by whipping, shooting, rofusal of employment, and threats, 1le #aya tho whole colored race {s uroused, und, could they got army, torrible bloodshed would result. Ho belleves tho votes will all be counted this week. T'o iltustrato the mannor in whish Tpey and Reform curried North Caralina read this dispatoh: New Your, Nov, 28.—A dlspateh from Raselgh, N, €., says Dr. A. J. Groven, Suporvlsor of Eloctlons ot Swan Quarter, Jlyde County, N, C., was drowned on the night of Nov, ¢, with e publican tickets for that counly in his possesaion, The body was found vome dave after, nvarly up- rizht Inthe water, with his coat drawnover his head and other evidences of violouce, The cloc- tion fickets wero never found. ‘Tuves caried IHydo County by a *large majority” by the means stated in the dis. pateh, ‘The New York 7'ridune, Tie Ciucaao Timnuse, and other leading Havks organy, heartily indorsed the proposal of the Domucrutfc vinitors at Now Orleuns to tho Ropublican viwlfors, Lut wince the mugnls of Grantwm declined to confor with the Democrats these Journale huve fallon buck fnto their bitter partlsan atylo. —ZLoulstlile Courler-Journal, 1t huppens they have not**docliued to confer,’* They bave agreed upon what they may do, and what s proper to be done. The Democratic “eminent citizens® came down o few cuts from thelr firat position, and substantially concurred with the Republican visitors us to how far they had @ right to fuspect and overses the Return. ing Bosrd. The latter respectfully fnvited each set of distinguished visitors to appolnt a come mittee to be present snd witness all thelr pro- ceedivgs, which has been accepted; ex-Gov. Paruza Is st the headof the Democratic Com- everything the Returning Boand I8 doing or say- ing 18 belng recorded by two short-hand report- era for tho uss of Congress. Iow doca all tits compure with the nssertion of the Cur.- Jur., that the moguls of Grantiam lhave de- declined to confer with the Democratal ‘Ihey have conferred with them, they are conferring with them, and we look hopofully forward for a falr and honeat canvass of the roturns accord- fug to the laws of Loulsiana. The Our.- Jur, appears to be fitled with malovolont dlstrust for which there is neither reason nor Justification, ——— JAPANESE PROCRESS, Japan {8 no longer the enigma to the world that it once was, Every fow months wo hcar something intereating of our aetive, josial, cop- vercolored brethren across the Pacific. Tho information this time comes from that great British traveler, S8ir Cnanies WEeNTWORTI Ditge. One nlwnys cxpects something good from hifn, and Sir CnARLES hna not disappointed his renders In hils admirable paper on Japan, in the last number of tho Fortniphtty. 1lesces In the growing indifference and want of reverence, displnyed of late by tne peopls for thelr relig- {on, the working out of the Englial and Amer- can influence, The Japanese Government has become so sliort of money, on account of heavy ‘expenditures for public improvements, that it actually proposed to scll Dal-Butz, a bronze and sliver Buddha, sixty feet high, for old metal. This sacrilege was only prevented by certain forclgn Ministers, who desired the statue saved for a specimen of Eastorn religlous art. If we add to this a recent strong desire to destroy the tombs of the Tycoons at Toklo (formerly Yeddo), it 1s at once scen that the Japanese are becoming foverish for modern improvements, and have but fittle regard for anclent dogmas, especinlly when theoy block the van of needed progress, Not only are religlous monuments to be slashed down to pay for publie works, but tha Finance Minister bas had a strong call tocut down the Incomes of the great nobles of Japan, Bostrong 1s public opinfon that the “‘upper ten™ have becomo terribly exerclsed over tho prospect that tho extortionate income-tax, which took one-tenth of thelr incomes last year, will not be content with less than two-tenths this year. The timportance of the income-tax {8 more readily understood when the fact is known thnt the annual appropriations for nobics’ pens slons s about $14,000,000. The total revenun and expendliture of the Emplre ts in round fig- ures $45,000,000 a year, The nubles’ fucomes are half as much again as the military expendi- tures, five timos the cost of the navy, and five times the Interest on the natfonal debt, Bir UnanLes DILkE scwns to have great con- fidence {n the houesty of those who adminlster the affairs of Japan. Her finance accounts may be taken without pusplelon. The European postal system and lighthouse systemns have proved very successful, Tho Postnaster- General’s report of 1875 shows that, In four years, Japan has distanced Denmark, 8weden, Nourway, Turkey, and Greeee In the postal service. Three thousand flve hundred post- offices have been already opened, aud the in- creaso of letters posted s at the rato of 50 per cent a year.© As the Postmaster-General re- marked In hisreport: * The enormous inerease of 50 per cent on the revenue of the preceding yearfs due to the rapid progress of civiliza- tion.” The Japancee already have thirty-three lighthouaes which are said to be models to any country, From this it scems Jopan s de- terinined to beon alevel with the European world in army, navy, cducation, post-oflices, lighthouses, telegraph, rallronds, ete. The ex- traordinary progress of Japan is largely at- tributable to the personal cleverness, pluck, and energy of the Japanese people. An attempt has been made, and, wo belleve, receives Governmont ald and encouragement, tu Induce fariners to ralse sheep, with o view of converting the hills into pasture land. This would be a source of great wealth to Japan, aa the hills cover alarge portion’ of the country. Up to the present time little or no use is belug made of theso vast tracts of land. The thnber lias been cut off, and none has been planted to replace it. In 8ir Cuanres' opinion, but ono thing re- mains tu complete the prosperity of the Empire and place her n the frout ranks of the clvillzed world, The Government must allow forclguers to reslle anywhero in the country. The exclu- slon of forcigners has been the great drawback to her pgogress. This privilege grunted, and the splendid mines would then “be worked with Lnglish and American capital. The work could be done under the direction of American and English engineers, and result benefivlal to Ju- pat, Few countrles have such abundant mio- cral resources, walting to Le uncarthed, Coul is plentiful in the north; gold, copper, tin, fron, {ron-sand, plumbago, antimony, copperas, co- bait, and sulphur, aro among the products of its mines. There {s much marble, rock-salt, amber, fire-tlay, porcelaln-clay, petroleum, slum, rock- crystl, and somo silver. Hero f8 o golden op- portunity for Japan to take a long stride in ad- vanee, It is n marked fact that Japan is year hy vear employing less European labor. The English taught thelr marines; the ‘Iv‘n:nuh instructed thelr army. The result of thelr respoctive trainlng is distinct to-day in the manners of the Japouese sailor and soldier, 1t muy not be zen- erully known that Japan cinploys 4,214 men well dritled In ber navy, Al Japanese are lia- ble to military service in thé army, but the reg- ular foree musters about 49,080 men, So for- midable s this army thet Sle Cranves thinks that, had war broken out between China and Jupan two years ago, the Japanese would have taken Pekin, The ofllclals are dreseed In Eu- ropran dress; and the police and soldlers aro “yery Buropean In thelr appearance. The English language {s now learned by hundyeds of young Japs, und at some pot fur distant day will becomo tho official language of tho couns try. Altogether, tho last accounts of this inter- esting peoplo are In keeping with the reports wa have been fn the hablt of recelving for the past five years, and eliow an extraordinary con- tinuance of cfforts toward Improvement. ———— ASTRONOMIOAL-1877. ‘The followlug are the principal astronomical plienomens of the yeur 1877, The tlmes glven are Chivago mean-timu; and thoe appearance s that presented to an observer in this city, unless othekwise stated: AUNDATYS, Kfll]ld 8, 1 5, 29, ..é“.:fl. |11, 18, Aprile 1, 8, 1 May 0, 13, '90, 27, June d, 10,17, 21 Notk.—April 1 (marked with an * 3 will be Kester flum\l’hbl!lllk the sunday no:l. followlng thu st full 1noon after the vernel equino: TIE MOON. Month, New Moon. Full Moon, o B, lay. Junuary, 7% e m. 20 ¥ Fevruary 8 n, 27 1 Maure 31§ p. me 11 bR :‘}wi 0. }fi ;;n;g o, m. Aay. . m, % o DL duno 1 8 44 l‘l‘. u 11 2 | July 4 184 p. o 1980 Augu 187 e 6 0 Heptembor® 7 7 10 8, w, 0 44 Qclober .. 6 4 B pom, 2 1 40 o, m. November,. 6 2 8T u. t, 20 4 20 p.m. December., 4 4 10%p.m. 20 6 1 &, m, ‘Tho (udicates sn eclipee, Tho apparent motions of the moou will be more Irregular in 1877 than usual, The north nodu {s now near the Vernal Equinox; so that she will swing back and forth through about fifty-six degrees of declination cach lJunar month, For this reason tho snoon will “tip " uch more than the uveruga; and people who are prone to proguosticate the weather from the posltion of tho * horns ™ will have extraor- dinary opportunitics fur dofng so in the spring and sutumy, * —m p. m 20m u. 28w a. Hh —m poom. Bt . 1 Om o, w. b —m 8 W, Earth in Aphelion Autumnal Equino: Winter Solstico... ‘The year 1a a very barren one inregard to A total eclipeo of the moan, F, Wt it e ) Feb, o7 E'.l\|l“rn 3 below the Lorlzon of the ’l?:,ll"‘:j .A parttal eclipro of thig R 17 o p, iy vinibly in \Vunxi:;r;‘m:»‘:.“ 42A partial celipsc o tho suy, Aug. 8, g1 4 a 1. p. e visiblo In Ataska, Kamachaty, i orth Paclfie Ocean, and {]1p Arctle s Behiing's Strat 1a nearly in the centry ot area from which this eclips can Irtultt:? e 1 8t 100, A total eclipso of the moon, Aug, o 18:m. p. .5 partiably visiule f g gt 26 b Bouthern Bt‘nlu. 7 Vistile f thy Enstern ang A partinl eclipsc of the am, B 2. m.; visible to all that part. ‘nl' S situated in moro than fitteen do. latitude, and extending near) Pole. The times glven above arathe Inst: Junctlon or upposition tn right xuuc::l:lt:u‘7 s Vlean—WVill b Tooked fop . ul ¢ looked for an the sun March 22, by many nso,muomcr‘:c.\';f Il!m Verrier having announced that a transit of u;“ pln||lwt s 1‘13|slulhlc on that day, % Mercury—Will be visiblo nea; daten of his greatest elongnuuurl:t:l:l ft‘fil-o o In the West, near aunsct; Jan, 10 (1 el Pl 7, ot 8:04 Sauth Amerleq arecs of Souty 7 o the Beuth 0 dey % May 8 @1 degrees); Aug, 51 (37 qun o Bree); m(mdegreg;.“ )i Aug. 81 (27 degrees); Dec, In the East, near sunrige; Feb, 20 (20% de. prees); June 20 (223¢ degrees); Brees). ' Venus—Will bo n inorning st the suu, tl May ¢, it o Oct. 12 (18 ge. rlsing betore the dute of lior conjunction; and will be an evening ll‘:x;.‘ x;l:'r ting after the suu, during the roma ycu:-.“_slllle will (;gnln her grmtm‘:‘::;;.‘(:z: east (47 degreea 10 minutes) Lt gre ) on the 11th of D ‘The first week in Janua she wil s eastern foot of ();mluuunr;y on mnl.l:;z:fi:?‘:f, the Oth, only Bf minutes of arc north from Jupiter; and fn the mourning of the 18t wi pass under Mu in Sogittarius, During March 8he will pass through Aquarles, Lelne 20 mine utes north from Saturn at 4 o'clok in the morning of the 16th; and {n Aprll through (e Fishes and Arfes. 8he will bo in Cnnunrdnnn(; the greater part of July; 54 minutes north from Uranus In the afterncon of the 2ith; aud oue degreo north from Regulus oo the 23th, Aug. 10, in tho eveniug, sho will be a very Tty to tho north of the moon, and on the 10th, halt o degreo north from Beta n the Viegin, In the evening of Sept. 9, Venus will be again a hutle north from the moon, and on the 10th will b two and a half degrees north from Arista, Oct. 9, in the evening, a little north from the moon; on the 13th, only cighteen minutes north !ron: Deltain Beorplo; and on the 14th, about two and threc-fourths degrees south from Beta, in Scorpio, Nov. 8 she pnsses into the bow of Bngittarius, belng ogaln very mear the moon, aud will be two and three-fourths degrees south from Jupiter fn the cvenlog of the 9th, Dec. 4 she passes Into Capricorn, several degrees below Beta, and in the evening of the Bth wil| be agaln very near the mioon, but this time south of tho luminary. At the close of the year she will be fu Aquaries. | Aars—W1L riso Lefore the sun from the be- ginning of the year till the evening of Sept. 5, when ho will be fu opposition to the sun, south- fnz at midnight, After that date he will eet after the sun in the cvoning. At the dateof opposition he will be only about 85,000,000 miles from the earth, with n parallax of 23.5 scconds, having passed his peribelion Aug. 2L This will afford a very favorable opportualty for measuring the exact value of his parallax, and thenee obtaining an independent determination of our distance from the sun. On the 2d of September he will be about 100 minutes of arc south of the star numuered a8 05 in Aquardes, In tho begluning of January Mars will be near Gamma In Libra; on the 10th, only 33 minutes south from Beta in Scorplo; on the 25th, about 5 degrees north of Antares. March 1, half a degree south from Juplter; on the 31 nbout 2% degrees south of Mu {n Samittarius, and at the Vernal Equinox will be fn the heado Sngittarius, April 18 Le will pass under Deta o Capricorn; on the night of May 4, one degres north from the moon; and Muy 23, a quarter of o degree north from Delta in Capricorn. June 2 ho will pass Dbetween Delta I Aquarles and Fomathaut, July 27 lese than 4 degrees south from Saturn. August 28 sbout 43¢ degrees south from Baturn, and will continue in the nelghborbood of that planet during the remainder of the year. 8ept. 6 he will be ln opposition to the sun, as above. Sept. 20 and Oct, 16 wiil be north frum Delta in Aquaries, Nov, 8, at 11 p. m., will be only 11 minutes north from Saturn, 2 degreet above No. 05 in Aquaries; aid at the close of the year will be near Delta fn the Fishes. Juplter—=Will risc before the sun during the first half of the year. In January he will be over the tall of Scorplo; March 13 about 2 de- grees south of Mu in Sagittarfus (near Mars); in April stationary; and May 28, 2 degrees south from Mu in Sagittarius, June 19 he will beln opposition tothe sun, and an evenlng star for the romainder of tho year. He retrogrades till Aug. 20, Nov. 2 will agaln pass under Muin Sogittarius, and will be among the stars in the head of that constellation at tho close of the CAT. : Saturn~WIll be in the Constellation Aquaries during the year; but not u conspleuvus object the first four months, belng too close tothe sun; the dateof conjunction la Feb, 83, After that time ho will rise beforo the sun till Eept.9, when he will bo on the meridlan at widuight, and after that will b visible In the evening sky. At the end of the year he will be near Pluin Aquarfes. The dates of his near approach to Venus and Mars are given above. The rlngs will Lo very obliquely situated with respect to us. Tho planc of the rings passes through the earth in March, 1878 Uranua—Will be ln opposition to tho sun at ‘miduight of Feb, 10, His right asccnston will Then bo 0 hours 41 minutes 10 scconds; and his deelination 14 degrecs 41 minutes north. The position 18 littlo north of 5 degrees west from Regulus, {n Jine beyond Nu fn Leo, from Alpba. During tho first three months of the year h: wlil be visible with the naked cye, as o star nd tho sixth magnitude, Uranus witl be oceulte by the muon April 21,8 few minutes belore miduight, Neptuno—Cannot bo scen except through & good telescope. IMv fs In Arivs; not near nn‘y prominent atur. Oct. 20 hie will be in opposi- tion to the sun; his right ascenslon then beloz 9 hours 17 minutes 47 eeconds; and declination 11 degrees 51 minutes north. W coull ba eonstrued o o & proceeding 8t reckuning 1 Electoral Yoics o ol by, elace him, we do nat elioye that e e £ leaat ha offico under auch clrcula stancee.—Onioaco TRIBUNK, e ‘This I% the position which Tin TupUKE ot e referonce to thu contomplated murnwu_t e Loulsiana Heturning Board, it 1 pro Ll a restora tho mBjority of 1872-7d, 0rto Chint T, votes which it ussumecs the dhpmnlhpn,‘ ot tsonu b m'-“tt?:!would b rosorted to were the Even If the Lo TalSor tho part emis, and it it s prace T Y 0t socn whetoe Haxss willac- cent or uot.—Zndlanupoiis Sentinel. Gk WG are not awaro of any contemplate ;‘1 3 rago" by tho Returning Boand; wo belleve ll‘v' ® wlll bo & fulr and honest countaccording u: JL\H‘ that no vote will be rejected that augMbU'h‘ vecelved, Nothing hes yot been dauul : e Board to indicate any purposc to aet dis ;l‘l. A 1y, And we aro quito certuin that the ;,I:” Jican Committee of visitors, Mossré, fllll“ ""i Haue, 8rouanToN, GAUFICLD, and }umi( k .‘ Y never bo parties to a fraud; never curtl JX i there has been mado a falr and Tawtul whu ikt there Las not been one. If they declars ‘lufls o vass houestly mude, no matter ‘whom it :n v defeats, the country may depend i:P“ statement, aud support and defond tho death s Tlhocable sunounced yesterdsy 1L, (B B e advanced age of 94 of Sir Joux i ::nlor Oennr:luo( the Britlsh nmy,n:n l. Colonel of ths Fourth Foot neg(mt‘u' s Field-Marshal the Murquis of Tw:luns‘r N died tho other dayat thesge of &9, e oo BrLL wae o Scotchman, Hewas bamu toun, in ¥ifoshlre in 174, He enf