Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, January 3, 1877, Page 4

s Rt THE CHICAGO e M e eraces TRIBUNL:: WEDNESDAY:, BB T S » * J JANUARY 3, 1877, The Teibunc. _TERMS OF BUBSCRIFPTION. IX ADVANCE—T'OSTAGR FREPAID AT TS OFFICE. itled to ar %n‘m- Zold’o atunl iweive pa %n.\roe;m. oatobte 1 ayear, per month, WEEELY EDITION, POSTPAID. Ome copy, per yes i G of twei Tostage prepald. Bpecimen coples sent free. ! Toprevent delay and mistakes, be sure and give Posts Qrce sddress fn full, fucluding Btate and Connty. Temittances may bamade either by draft, expresy, Post-Ofice order, or In registered fetters, at our Fsk. 7ERMS TO CITY SUBSCRIRERS. Tany, delfrered, Stnday excepted, 23 centa per week. Yiaily, dedvered, Sundsy fncinded, 30 cents per week Address THE TRINUNE COMPAST, Corner Madison and Chicago, Hit. TRIBUNE BUILDING DIRECTORY. ooms. Qeeupa T CHARTER OAK LIFK (losurance Dept). 2. TO RRENT. X QUSTIN & WALLACE, 4. DUEBER WATGH-CASE JiA! & RODDING & APPLETON. & REW YOUR WATGH COMPANT. 7.TO REN 2 % WAL CDOW, A, 1. DHOWS. . ROBBINS, v, WRIGHT & TY IR 10, CHARTER OAK LIF| 11-12. FAUICHILD & L 12, JIENRY F, SEELY 1675, JEMES NORGAS Tt W. B B CENTENRIAL FUDLISHIAG, COMPANT. 17, M. D, ARD) : 1810, . K. PEARISONS & CO. a0 RUTCHISSOY & LUFF. a1, 0. L. BASKIN & CO. 22, ABSOCIATE EDITOR. 3, EDITOIIN-CHIEF. 24, MANAGING EDITOR. 2. ABSOCIATE KDITORS. 26, 1. C. EARLE. 27, W, J. BARNET & CO. 1 m. \nLL AM RCR J. A. McELDOWNEY, 3). XIH!PAfll L\crml BUREAU. 8. Lmul:m:n\b BDITOIL &2 W, W. DEXTE! 3, GRONGE L. TIIA\TCIIFIL a3, NIGHT EDITOR. TR CITY EDITOR. i _Offices fn the Bullding to reat by W. C. DOW. ALE. 4 COMPASY. TAMUSEMENTS. Adelplil Theatre. Manroe street, corner Tiearborn, anstal *'Jack and the 1k," Afternoon and eventng. New Chicago Thentre, Clatk street. between Lake and Randoiph. Hibernis #od Irish Comedy Company, Afternoun and evening. Haverly'n Thentre. { Dandolph strect, between Clark and Tasaile, En: Igagement of K, A 'Sothern. **Lord Dundreary,” Af- Jternoun and eveniog. McVicker's Thentre. Madison street, between Desrborn sud State. Tue Law of tuo Land, w Jorth Clark strect, corner KU le. Yale C ollege Gl ' £ 1 e, 1 MeCormick alt. ; Concert by the t 3 35T BERSARD coM cfilllul Conclavy this ( a 1 lock. Lusiness of |mr-or JANUARY n’ ‘WEDNESDAY, 0, 1877 ¢ n Greenbacks at tho Now York Gold Ex- sichange yesterduy sold at 931 and closed at 'Yr _xs» 33, §: In the nnmml memgn of Gov. Harrs, tisubmits ed yesterday to the Oluo Legislature, not ths faintest allusion to tho Presidential $mbroglio ocenrs, A ‘Washingion dispatch states that The ftice of Commissioner of Patents has been uicmlz-red to the Hon. L. L. Boxp, of this jo¢ily. A better appointwent could searcely 15be made, x TIn response to a largo domund for copies a0f Tue Trinune of Jdau. 1, 1877, containing % .a¢the comprehensive nauuual review of tho dirade ond commerce of Chieago for the year m1870, an extra supply of that edition has S Tthoon printed, and may bo obtnined in the fi'l "'cvnnung room on tho first floor, r' el The trunk lines lending from Chieago to ‘tum Allantio have agreed upon an advance of ,.m-\ueuger rates of £5 between Cbicago and f, ‘“l\sw \ork tho new mate, 18, to take effect 35 “ A similar advance will oblain With : nérelercuen to rates botween other points in g \‘I.ho East and West. It would be comforting unlolmow that an increaso of safoty to pas- k{ Avongers is to accompauy the extra tariff. o il ih mnrgnn(znllon. and the first business iu hand 3 1 g wlll be the eelection of the successor of Gen. The Illlnoln Legislature moou tc-dny for n ‘Imm in tho United States Henate. At tho ,wrcunt writing it appenrs to bo sottled that flx(}uu. Loaax will receivo tho Republican ,hcmcun nomination, but innsmuch as that 7 {:"docl not imply his election in this case, the “,,n.-lu!t is considerably doubtful, ,: Gov, 0nnnxwzx.n, of lllchignn, yesterdny “" k the oath of office and entered upon his inow duties, The Legislature, which is ltmngly Republican, mects to-day for organ. 151‘2.“10!1, and this evening tho Senatorial ques. r“Llon will be disposed of incaucus, Presoutin. 1y dications ore that Michigan will doberself the ulreredit, and the country at large the valuable :,' service, of re-clecting Senator Fruny with- ]h:m! a dissenting voto on the Republican eide. i fro By an act of ||et(y upflo and ¢ contemptible Snpmeanness, of which every member who took ‘l;‘pm in it ought to feel Leartily ashnmed, the thOunty Bonrd has revenged itsel? upon Maj, to Brockway for kb temerity in mssuming to control the appointments in the Recorder's oftice, for the proper conduct of which he has given heavy bonds. 'The Recorder wu- fused to enter juto any trade with the Riug wrespecting the selection of watehnien, and 1dthe Ring yesterday retaliated by voting to . “rfix the salaries of theso watchmen at $10 per hmonth, Thers were but four negative votes Mcnpon thais shameful proposition, which, it is be presumed, is unly the beginning of a seriea of malicious persccutions of & valuable othpublic oficer who has the mwanhcod and indo- eipendence to attempt to conduct his office -mdecendy and efilciently p ;:" The Cmugn producu inarkets were mod. Aigerately ective yesterday, ond breadstufls “yestended downward. Mess pork closed 10@ Do per Ll bigher, at $17.15 for January aud \'MIT.QO for February. Lard closed only u - bulyhade higher, st $11.16@11.17} cash and "‘"eu Y0 for Februnry, Meats were §@}e per le.ulh Ligher, at 63¢ for new shoulders, boxed, Yo Le {for do short-ribs, und 9}c for do short-clears. Highwines were jc ligher, at #8107 per ‘gallon. Flour was in moderate demand and Grmn. Wheat closed j@{o lower, et $1.24} for Janoary and §1.263 for February. Corn ;=lnud {@3c lower, at 44c for January and . M9¢c for May. Osts closed a shade easier, at 9% cashiand 8tjo for Febroary. Iiye waa edy, st 72c. Barley closed dull, ot e ash aud'G7c for February, Hogs wers quiet firm uutil near the close, when they eakeued. Bales were at §6.0066.90. Tho ,cattlo market was moderately active aud firm, “with sales at $2.00@5.85. Bheep were * higher ; common to choice selling at §3.25@ £.25. One Limndred dollars in gold would buy $107.00 in greenbacks at the close. Out of the mass of conflicting and contra. dictory statemonts concerning the Constanti- nople Conference which the cable transmits from day to day, oneitem of fact may be selected with some certainty that tho next dispatch will not dispute it. That is, that the Conference is no nearer to a settlement of the Russo-Turkish difiiculty than it was on the first day of the meeting, and that thera is no prospect of adjustment other than by the arbitrament of war. Tha Porte atubbornly refuses to nceept the plan decided upon by the Conference, and the Plen~ fpotentinrics nre fast losing patience at tho delsys and counter-propositions that batk tho successtul conclusion of , their Inbors in the interest of peace, Tho Mnr- quis of Savnsnuzrr, England's represcntative fn the Conference, is anid to have plainly in- formed the Vizier thot ho mmst heed the commands of Europe or tnke the conse- quences, and Gen. Toxatiery, evidently despairing of any peacefnl solution of the difficulty, has alrendy npplied for permission for the passage through the Bosphiorus of the Russian war vessel to be sent to convey him from Constantinople. - Amid all tho anxieties and perplexities at- tendant on the present condition of onr na- tional politics, revolutions most significant aro silently eventuating. Iere at the North, for tho last ten years noble women hayebeen earrying on the war for political equality, backed by all the influence which social posi- tion, education, and wealth coull afford, yet tho progress made toward tho desired object is in the main most unsatisfactory, and is so acknowledged by the most ardent workers in the cause, Wo nro now told that the colored womanat theSouth, unlettered, ignorant, and devoid of social distinction ne she is, has at’one bold step crossed the political chinsm which has separated her from her sable lord and master, and now stauds firmly upon her rights as opposed to thoso of the tyrant man, A TrupeN man, all the way from Louisiana, lhas discovered this important revolution in that State, and forthwith he freely gives the intelligenca to tho world. This veritable chronicler asserts that the whole ttouble in Loufsiana js due to the marked in- fluence exorted by the *‘mammics” and * punties” of that Stute daring the recent campaign. According to his story, a goneral rystem of intimidation and bnlldozing was enforced by tho colored female olement in Louisiang, and the sterner sex wero forced to suceumb or leavo the home plate. e goesso far as to ssert that these political Amazons, in their ardor to convince the people of the reality and force of this new departure, dragged Democratic speakers from the stump by tho cont-tail, and did divers other tyrannical acts to the great intimidation and demoralization of said speakers. Truly this is n world of progress. THE SERATE AND THE ELECTORAL VOTE. ‘Wo print clsewhoroe o letter from the well. informed Washinglon correspondent of the New York Zribune, in which he makes a statement of his understanding of the ntti- tude of the majority of the Senate in regard to counting the Electoral vote. His informn. tion agrees in tho wmain with our own Wash. ington ndvices. To begin with, Senator Fenny, ns Presi. dent of tho Benate, will not assume, it i4 stated, to count the Electoral vote (which in tho present caso implics a cholco where thero nra two sets of returns from one State) with- ont instructions, Ly resolution, from the Senate, 'This opinion may be based on Fen ny's conversation, or upon the grounds that ho is an officer of tho Senate, and that body may displace him at suy time simply Ly pro. ceeding to clect another presiding ofiicer. 1t is leo nasutned that 3r. Franyhas no am- bition or desire to take any steps in this atter without the snaction of tho Senate, Lut he would be powerless to do anything opposed to the sentiment of the majority of that body for the renson stated. 1t wmay be stated, further, with reasonablo certainty, that tho Senate will not immedi. ately instruct its presiding officer to count tho votes, Tho Hensto part of the Joint Comnuitteo will mako an earnest ¢« ffort to se- eure somo ngreed plan for counting ; but if that foil to bo attained before the second Wednesday in Iebruary (when tho votes nro to be opiened), the Senato may still refrain from ipstructing its presidiog oflicer to pro. coed with the count, and may hold off for some time in the hope that some agreement mny be reached by the two Houses before the ensuing 4th of dMurch, which, intervening before the count, would oceasion s vacancy in the offices of both President nnd Vice. President,—n contingency that would requiro a specinl eloction, ‘There is ono condition which the Senato will rsist to the lnst, viz. : thut one House shall have the power to reject nny Electoral voto that may bo disputed. This theory has never been admitted. Tt apparently ob- tained under the twenty-second joint rule, Lut the fact thut this rule had previously Deen sgreed to by the concugrent action of both Houses gave it the roquisite sanction of Loth Houses, ‘That rula was repealed, and, unless again agreed to by both Houses, neither Iouse would hava the right to reject the vote of any State returned aceording to tho requirements of lnw. The Bepnte will not agree to the restoration of a rulo that was never right sud probably not coustitu. tional. It is ridiculous to suppose that the Ilouse can alone declare thero hins been a failure to clect, and proceed of its own motion to choose & President. It might as well be con- tended that the House could alone procced to enact laws and enforce thewm whenover the Benate refuses to agree with the House upon a disputed point. The House s authorized to clect only when thero is o failure to clect by the Electoral College, and there is no su. thority or precedent for ascertaining such fuilure Ly the separate, independent, and oxclusive action of tho louse. ‘Thero remaing then the contingency of tho Democralic majority in tho louse obtained in 1874 obdurately insisting upon th ouly point which the Henate will not concedo, viz.; that the Electoral vote of any Statemay bo rejected by tho partisan objection of the Houso alone, We ave inclined to the opin- ion that the discussion Dbetween now and tho 14th of February will so clearly de~ wonstrate the unfairuesy and impropriety, if not the absolute uncoustitutionality, of this theory, that the moreconscrvative Democrats will refuse to wake it the sine qua non of their acquiescence in o convass of the votes by Congress. But if they hold off from an sgreement on any other terwms, or if they assuwe to declare of their own motion that there Las been a fallure to elect, und proceed to choose s President, it is wore thau likely that the Senate will then instruct its presid. ing ofticer to count the vote as it has been returned, o order ju the oune case to avaid a nou-election, and in the other to avert the rettingnp of a usurping President by the arbitrary and despotic action of one branch of Congress. In that ovent, the Senato will certainly instruct Benator Frnny to proceed with the connt of the votes as they have been returned by the Electoral Colleges, which he will do. In other wonds, it is only unreasonable and extra-conatitutional action on the part of the Democratic mnjority in the House which will bring abont tha count of tho votes by the President of the Henate. ONE LESSON OF THE HORROR. The terriblo calamity at Ashtabula §s al- rendy a thing of the past. Wo know its full extent. Al that can be done i to bury the victims of this horror, aud trust that a merei- ful Providence will temper their loss to monrning relativesnnd friends. The lessons of tho disasler atill remain, however, and it will be & monstrous and eriminal negligenco if those lessons aro not read and their warn~ ings heeded. The principal lesson of the drendful eovent is to provido precautions ngainst its repetition in the fatare, or at the very least to take soch precautions as shall rednco the possibility of danger in crossing streams and ravines to the minimurm. The destruction of the Ashtabnla bridge, no mat- ter what was the cause, shows that iron bridges aro not safe, aud it will lead the traveling public to regard every bridge in tho country with suspicion. Tho Cleveland Leader remarks: *“When in 1865 that bridge, auchored upon its two piers of mos. sive masonry, replaced tho old woodentrestle thnt had uatil then bridged Ashtabula Creck, it wans thought that the highest form of im- provement had been made and the utmost safety secured.” It wns lested with tho weight of six locomotives, and bore the test to the satisfaction of all the mechanics who wero {nvited to witness it. It has been in nuse for elaven years, almost hourly, nud has borne the weight of thousauds of heavy trains appnrently without strain or injury, nnd yet this particular train, although not so heavy as many others, smnskod it through ns suddenly and completely as if it had been mado of glass, It makes liltlo difference whether one cord wns wénkened more than the other by the constant strain of heavy weights, whether tho wholo bridge whs wenkened, or whether tho cold had disinte. grated tho particles of the fron until at last it crumtbled away. The bridge was construct- ed, according to nniversal testimony, in the most perfect and complete manner known to sclence. It had given no warning of week- ness, It was cousidered ns safe s any bridge, sud yet thero it is to-day n ragged, splintered monument, hanging from cither embankmont over the nshes of the dend benenth, If that bridgo was as safe as any other bridge, then no bridge is safo in this country, Mechanica and scientists may theorize ns much ag they plense upon the ef. fects of temperaturo on iron, or the capabil ity of iron to sustain weight, thero stunds tho Ashtabula ruin, ono of the best bridges in tho country, torn and shattored to pieces, and nothing that railrond companies can do will restore confidenco in theso iron bridges. The only question that the public will ask is, ‘What minute will the next onogo? There is no doubt that these companies can make the passago of ravines and water-conrses ab- solutely seeuro beyond any possibilty of danger. Culverts, with embankments prop- erly made and properly settled, aro safo. 5Ll better, viaducts of solid masonry will lost to the end of time. No nmonnt of welght and no strain or shock of nny de- seription eanaffect them. Nothing but an earthquako can disturb them. Thoy are per- fectly and permanently safe, Isit not time that tho law-makers give wome attention to the bridgo business, and not leve it entirely in the hands of railrond engincers ? iTHE PRICE OF GOLD. The quotations this morning show that gold yesterday went down below 107, exhib. iting a conatant tendency todecrensein price, ‘Flhis tendenoy has been notable during al. niosta year, In March last gold was quoted nt ono time at 115 ; it has never beon sohigh since, and the fall has Leen gradual and uni. form, Taking the opening of the months, wo find it was 1131 in April, 112§ in May and June, 112} in July, 111} in August, 1104 in BHeptember and October, 109} in November, 1498} in Decewmber, and now 106 and a frac- tion at the opening of January. The fall has been 8o gradual that the variations with. in any one month were small, but there has Leen at no time within ten montha the faint. est indication of n speculative rise. Looking Dack over this period, the impression is left that gold, like other conmoditics, is settling down to what is callad tho ** hard-paun,” and there Is n prospect that the demand for it in this country will decreaso to such an extent ns to lot it circulate ou money side by sido with tho greenbacks. Tho change in gold during several months is uot the result of an appreciation of the greenbacks 50 much s the deprecintion of gold. ‘There has beon nothing within this period to strengthen the public credit to an extent that will account for the uniform ap- proximation to interchangenblo values be- tween the goldand greenback dollar. Thero has been some contraction In the currency, but it Las ot been noticeablo in the general decrease of demand for currency, We aro also appronching nearer the dato of promised reswmption, but the confidenca that resump- tion will nctually take place Jan. 1, 1879— two years from now—is not eo general as to have given a permanent increusa to thie valuo of the greenback, On the other hand, the uncertainty of the fssuo of the Presidential election, nnd the wide-spread’ apprebension that serious national trouble nay yet como of 1t, would naturally impair confidence in the irredeemable money of tho country, and tend to increaso the relative value of gold. It it be conceded, then, that there has been nothing to chango the contidence in tho Gov- ernuent money, it must by that the used for geld, which gave it a speciul value, have diminished. ‘I'ho exclusive uses of gold iu this country for years have Leen for paying duties on im. ports (which includes the necessary gold to pay interest on the Government bouds) and to expart iu payment for differences on pur- chases abrond. For neither of these pur- poses will the Government notes sufiice, "Tho finst-unmed still exists, but uot to tho extent it did. The imports for the year endink June 30, 1876, were §72,2G4,246 less than for the preceding year, and $106,665,152 lews than for the year ending June 30, 1874.3 The demaud for gold for poying dutics has de- creased fn proportion. But the commercial use of gold for paying foreign balances has disappeared altogether. ‘The balances are on tho cis-Atluntic side, Our exports exceed the imports, and bills of exclauge on Lon- don drawn ugainst exports are alwaysto bo had to pay avy importers’ bills ducin Lon. don. In fact, the tide has sct in the other way, and gold is being brought back to this country in payment of differcuces. Now cowed in the importance ox the gold product of the United States, which was sbont 45, 000,000 this last yonr in addition to about $41,000,000 of stlver. When ILondon, the clearing-honso of the world, s glutted with specie, g at present, and the demand for gold for its limited exclusive nses in this conntry is on tho decline, it {8 n mero ques- tion of n continaation in tho same direction to Lring us naturally to a resnmption of tho proper and general uses of gold nnd silver nsa circnlating medinm of tho conntry. Every intelligent person must recognize the advantage of improving this condition of' things by such a Government measuro (tho funding of greenbacks into long + per cent gold Londs, forinstance) aswillfarnishanad. ditional incentive to the restoration of specio asacurrency, 'There wonll bo at the very worst a shirinkage of only 6 cents in the dollar in general prices now, and this or whatever less shrinkago might oceur would be followed Ly immediato renc- tion. Gold and silver would flow into the country reedily in exchanga for the American products demanded abroad, and a hundred millions a year would beadded by the natural product of Amecrican mines, Then would begin a normal amd hoalthful inflation,—nan inflation of real wealth ands a substantial re- covery of prices. Remowed confldence, cn- terprise, and speculation would follow, and tho basis would bo na substantinl as that of Englaud, where resumption was followedby a similar improvement in tho commercial con- dition. It {a literally the golden opportunity of the United Btates, and should not be for- feited by risking amother impairment of national credit by war or serious political complications, LEGISLATION FOR COUNTING THE VOTES. As long ago as 1800, and beforo even tho Jerrensox-Buan complication, tho necessity for somo legisli-ion by Congress to mest questions of disputed Presidential elections was ovident to Congress and the country, Tho qnestions rafsed and discussed were two: 1. Had Congress the power to legis- Inte under the Constitution to direct the wmenns by which the Electoral votes shiould bo connted, and by which the counting or rojection of disputed Electoral returns shounld Lo determined? 2. It Congress had such power, what should bo the rogulations, and by what ngencies should the work bo done? Theso two questions were elaborately dis- cussed during a period of five months. Upon tho first qnestion both Iouses reached nn afirmative decision by n decided mijority in ench House, but not without roilons debate. Senator Crannes PiNckxiy, of Sonih Cnro- lina, in an able and earnest speech, objected that Congress Lind no power under the Con- stitution over tho subject, that all power rested with tho 8tates, and that the vote of the Electors cortificd to by tho Governor should be accepted ag conelusive, aud should Le connted by the President of the Senate. Ou the 23d of January, 1800, Mr. Ross of- fered in tho Bonate n resolntion directing the sppointment of o committee to consider whether any, aud what, provisiona ought to Lo mado by law for deciding disputed elec- tions of President and Vice-Prosident of the United States, and for det8rmining tho legal- ity or illogality of the votes given for thoso ofiicers iu the different States, and that tho Committee report by bill or otherwise. On Feb, 14, 1800, o bill wds reported, which wos debated in the Sounto until March 28, when it was pnssed, and sent to the Ilouse. This bill as it passed provided for o joint commniit- teo of six Sonators and six Representatives, to bo elected by Lallot, who were then to chooso & Chairman, This Committeo was to serutinizo all tho returns of the Electors, to hear all objections, to receive and take all evidenco having n bearing on tho subject of tho appointmont of Elcctors, ete. This Committeo wns to have power to finally de- cide nll questions before them; to declare what votes shall be rejected and what admite ted, and their finding was completo and with- out appeal. Various attempts were made in Loth Houses to have this Committeo ap- pointed by lot; that 4, by drawing from the list of oll the nnmes of each House thoso of the six who wero to serve on the Committoe, hut these motions were all rofected. In the Tlouso the bill was matorially altered; tho powers of the Committeo woro limited to an examination and report, subject to the action of the two Houses in omso any objection was made to the report of the Committeo, The Senate concurred in most of the amend. ments made in the House, but failed to agree upen g leading poiut. The Mouso had in. sluted, fn caso objection was mado to the report of the Comnmittce, that the two Houses should act on the question separate- ly; but that no voto should be * rojected” unless by the concurring votes of tho two Houses, This the Sennto had chonged so that no vote should be ** ndmitted" unless by tho concurring votes of both Ifounses acting soparately. Ou this radicnl differenco the two 1louses failed to agres, aud the bill failed, Beforo Congress met ngain the whole coun. try was convulsed with oxcitement and an- ticipations of clvil war and disunion, grow- ing ont of the T'residential election of that yeor, in which Jerrenson aud Bunn hod ro- ceived an equal number of votes,—n rosult procured, s was chorged, by intrigue and frand. Tho radical defoct in the plan of ench Elector voting for two persons for President wns then dbicovored, and was promptly corrscted by the adoption of what is known as tho Twelfth Amendwient to tho Constitution. ‘Che other and hardly less jm. portant question was not taken up again in Congress until following the Presdential olection of 1872, For sevonty-three years thiy constaut menace to the peacoof the country, though repeatedly brought to the attention of Congresd, was evaded by Congress, and left to perplex the comn’ry at some future time. It will be noticed tant the two Ilouses fniled to agree upon the question whether it should requira the aflirmative vote of the two Houscs to admit a vote to bo counted or 10 refect a voto, 'fhe Iouse of Reprosenta- tives of that day resolutely inslsted that ev- ery vote returned should be counted, unloss the two Houses should agree to reject it, while the Senata, stretching the powar bo- yond all reason or justice, insisted that no vote should be admitted or counted uuless by the cousent of both Houses. In 1865 Mr.'Irussuiy prepared the celebrated twen- ty-second joint rule, embodying tho princi- ple on which the Senste had fusisted in 1800, giving to a wajority in cither Houso the power to reject arbitrarily the vote of auy Btate, thus enabling a faction at sny time to defeat any election by the Elsctoral College. 'That rule, framed by Mr. Tuvmsvrr, has done more o undor- ming tho Constitution and to create & sentiment in favor of the transfes of the eloction of Prosident from the hands of tho peoplo to Congress than any action of the wildest demagogue. It is wmore to be regretted, because the Constitution aimed to have that election as frea from Congressional control as poasible. There nevor was & jus tification, legal or moral, for such arule. It ww, a perverslon of all the principles of right and justice, and, like all such dishonest and untair oxpedients, is a reproach to those who invented it. ‘The utmost extent to which the power of Congross to count and determine tho vote can bo carried is, that when a return {8 8o bad, or so tainted with frand, or of such tincertain validity as to canso both Iouses to consider it unfair lo rocogniza it, that then such relurn should bo rejected. To give to s moro majority in cither Honso the power to rejoct a voto s Almply nn ontrgo and n burlesque upon the wholo system of elections, In January, 1873, Mr. Montox proposed a bill in tho Benate having for its purposo a permnnent Inw on this subject, and upon that and other propositions wa will have something to say herenfter, —————— THE DEAD SIRGER P. P. Briss, the evangelist and singer, ng our renders are well awnre, was ono of the vietims of the Ashitabnla ealamity. According to tho statement of those who wero In a po- sition to know, ho made a Leroio effort to save his wifo when ho might have saved himself, and, failing in this, remained and died with her, the two offering their prayers together ns the fatal flames appronched them, liko the old martyrs st the stake ; and thus, united in life, they were not divided in death, They died the deathsof Christian heroes,—the faith of the songs which she had written and he had composed blossom- ing out at tho lnst into the full flower of victory over death. Those who remnin pur- suing tho work in which he was engaged hiave nlready provided the means for educating his children and bringing them up in tho way their father walked, nud for erecting au ap- propriate monument to the memory of this faithful pair. ‘This i well ; but the most lasting monu- ment — monumentum ars perennius which Honace sang—to tho memory of the dead singer will be found in his own songs, which have already crowned his name with undying fame and reached around the world with their simple melody,—sung to-day in the Tabernaclo in Chicago, yostorday in the Zulu mission of South Africa, to-morrow in the temples of China. There is probably no part of tha civilized world in which his lyric, “ Hold the Fort,” {4 not sung, and numerous other of his songs, like **The Armor Bearer,” % Almost Persuaded,” and ¢ What 8hall the Harvest Bo?” aro nlso winging their way neross the sons to distant lands. IIis was the trumpet-note that led the Christian crusaders in their nrsanlts ngainst the strong- holds of SaraN, just as Mr. Roor, with his war songs, jnspired enthusinsm in our troops during tho War of Rebellion, Ho haa been Mr. Moopy's right arm, for Mr., Sanxzy has chiefly sung tho songs which the dead singer composed and used to sing. e is dend, but o lives agnin; lives in the Sun. day-school ; in the church; in the revival; in the foreign minsions; in tho heart of overy wman and woman striving for somothing high. or and hetter; wherever mon preach Cunist and sinners seck repentance. It tokes much from tho sadness of the singor’s awful denth that his lifo wny so rounded and complete. His work had been 50 woll done that death could not surprise him and find him with his mission unaccom- plished. o had made Lis mark, and tho mark will remanin, 1is life has stopped, but his work goes on; in every church and in overy home all over tho world, and yenrs from now, when oven his naino may bo lost, lis wongs will still continuo to inspire fal. tering men and women with courage, to Uring consolation into the houso of mourn- ing, to arouso faith in the human heart. For_smch a lfe, 80 perfect, 8o snccessful, 60 n\rreachlng in its influences, spent in the most beneficont of Iabor and lost at tho post of duty, theroshould be no tears. Other volcos will take up his straing, and tho work will go on without stop. Their sim. yple benuty is not marred, nor i3 their won. derful influence upon tho popular heart les- soned by his death. Noblo snd impressive in his physique, affable and genial in his con- tact with overy one, earncst and untiring in his work, ho will long bo missed as o leader in the cvangelical movement which is now stirring the popular hoart; butha has loft Ius impress upon tho world, with. results mmoro lasting than the work achieved by he. roes of tho battle-field or masters of state- crnft, His harp is forever silent; hia voice 18 forevor hushed ; but the songs which he sang cau nover die, Thelr 1elody, like the brook, goes on forevor. SOUTHERN “CO!TFEDEBATEH." In spenking of the people of the Southern States as Confederates, there s n vital dis- tinction which should bo made, but which is very rarcly considered, namely: that be- tween Confederates and Sccessjonists, Dur. ing tho War of tho Rebellionthero woro Con- federates * who wero not Becosstonists, and thero wero Becessionists who wero not Con. federates, 'Tho distinction between the two clnssos is nlmost parallel to that between War Democrats and Copperhieads in tho North. Just Lefore tho outbrenk of the War, the South was full of mon who were bitterly opposed to secession down to the very last winute. They talked ngaiust it, wrota against it, and worked against it; but thoy were forced into it by fraud at the bal. lot-box, by thrests of social aud businoss ostracism und preforence, and by bulldozing, which, it not us brutal and bloody as that practiced in the recent election campaigu, was quito a3 effcctual in socuring the ‘ends of those who practiced it. When the first blood was drawn, the tidal. wave of popular excitement and tho cunning appeals of the fire-eaters mndo to Btate pride, as if only the Htato were in danger, urged them futo the ranks of tho Southern armny, just as thousands of meh in 1ho North who were not Republicans rushed into the Unlon army, carried away with tho popular enthusiusm. Novertheless they fought reluctantly. "Their learts wero not in tho contest. They were glad when the War was over, Thoy were willing and oager to accept terms of peace. ‘Thoy never wero original disunionists or beliovers in that monstrous theory of a slave-empire. They wero not even iu fuvor of tho soparation of the two scctions, nor did they louk upon the election of Mr. LixcoLx ny a sufficiont causo for tho dissolution of the Union. IMad tho question of secession been fairly submitted in the South, this class of men would have defeated it. Many of the Btates did vote against it, but the decislon was impotent, since the fire-caters rushied in ond carmed the Stutes into secession by force contrary to the populsr wish. They seized upon tho forts, and arsenals, and navy-yands, occupled the custow-houses, captured the malls, overrode the courts, and forced the 'rupture, Then came the appeals for volunteors, and tho popular enthusiasm filled up tho ranks, ‘When the ranks were depleted, couscription took the place of voluntecring, and these men were drugged into the rauks by force. It is to this class of men that the North looks for the preservation of peacs iu the Boutli. Of the total number who voted for Titoex and Hexoricks, fally ono-half be. long to the old Whig or Dovaras element, nnd are bitterly opposed to tho violont pre- vention of the inauguration of Ar. laxes, in easo ho is declared elosted. They are the men who are connseling moderation and ro- spoct for law. They will not allow them. selves to bo overwhelmod again by the hot- honds and fire-eaters who are so luatily bel- lowing for * wah" and ** goaln,” 'They have the true intercats of their section at henrt, and, if Mr. Haves is declared clected, they will join the North in supporting his Admin. istration, knowing that his Administration can do n thousand.fold more for the South than Tiuoex's, and that it will offer a guar- antee for lasting penco and prospenty and liarmonions rolations betweon the North and South, It is eminently proper, therefore, in dscussing tha present political complica- tions, to draw the distinction to which wo Liave alluded, and to have it understood that when wo speak of Confedirates wo do not include this conservative, lnw-nbiding class, but the original disunioniats, all of whom are now on the rampnage, bellowing for war just na their nllies during the War of the Re- bellion, the Northern Copporheads, are doing. Lawyer AxTuoxT's new patent Revenue bill 1a drawn upon the hypothesis that the repreeentatises whom the people have sent to the Gencral Asscm- Dbly are professionnl highwaymen, who, a8 legis- Iators, are golng to turn upon their constitucnts with cockeil revolvers and say: **Your property or yourlife!" Lawyer Axmioxrwonld perhape make a pretty good legislative Dick Tunrin, But thls Chicago tax-eater will probably find that n ma- jority of tho Genrat Assembly of llinols are not Persons deelring to engage In the Dick Tunrix style of robbing the people for the benefit of pro- fesslonal ofico-holders. —Chleago Times. This is o very philanthropic paragraph, in the ‘‘old man's” best style; but, if ho bad stopped long enough to reflect, it would linve occurred to him that ho was making an nss of himself, A lot of tax-fighters have beaten the city ont of four millionsof taxes inround numbers, There is n consoquent deflcit in tho revenuos of the city to that amount. The money s due; the obligations of the city are outstanding therefor ; and it {a costing the public nearly 300,000 a yoar 1o pny Intorest on temporary loans to cover the deficit. Tho question before the tax- payers is, whether those who have already paid their city toxea shall put their hands in their pockets and take out' the four millions and mako good tha defaleation, or whethor the defaulters ehall ba compelled todoit. Somo persons have got to pay the money,—either thoss twho owe it Lut have sneaked out of paying through legal quirks discovered by their lawyers, or the remninder of the community who have salready paid thoir full hare of the city taxes, Ilnsthe philanthropic old gont ciphered out the sun ho will be called upon to contribute ns his sharo of tho deficit caused by the tax-fight. ers? Eatimating by the visiblo property that stands to his nowmo on the tax-books, ha must pay an extrn tax of nine to twelvo thousand dollars to make good his part of ve-gasessment in easo the tax-fighters eseapo paying what thoy owo tho city. Compelling to them pay up their hack taxes may secm like ““highway robbery” to him, but when the scrows are applied to himself to mako good n part of thelr defaleation, be- sides paying his own proper quota of taxos, Le will bo apt to pich into ** Lawyer Ax- TioNy " for mot meking his bill moro con- strictive. It may seem very barbarous to make people pay taxes upon compulsion ; the voluntary system looks more gentle and Christian ; but when mon have voluntarily paid their taxes, thoy must bo extra good Christians to be willing also to pay the taxes of their neighbors who have csenped by tho aid of percentage lawyors, through cracks nud knot-holes discovered in tho statutes. The bulldozer part of tho Louisinna Legis- Iaturo refused to tako their seats in the State-Houso unless o crowd of 500 armod roughs wero allowed to rush in with them, The Metropolitan Police, acting under the Qoveornor's order, cxcluded the mob for good nand valid rensons, Thereupon the Democratio members sent him a protest, which reads in part as follows : We, the Democratic Conservalive members of tho louss of Rcpresentatives of the Stato of Loulslana, presenting oursclves at the doors of the State-llouso for the purpose of repalring to tho hall of the Mousc of Reprosentatives, And the State- Houso occupled by a wilitary force, conslsting of United Statew soldiers and Setropolitan Follce, ‘haviug full control of wald bullding. Wo therefore protest most rolemnly agalnat thls usurpation of the tights and priviloges of the Legislature, & co-ordl-+ nate branch ‘of the Government; and, second, sgainst the military occupation of the State-Houso Ly United States troops and Mctropotitan Pollce, and we dread entering the hall of the Leogislaturo until 1t be thrown apen to all contestanta for veats and to the public, and untll sald military occupa- tlon shall have ceasod. The Governor very politely informa them that they lo; that *there aro no United States troops in the building, and ko lopes thero will ariso no exigenoy which will Justify calling upon United States troops for nsslstance in any manmer toald the State suthorities.” Ho aldo reminds them that by law heis tho custodian of the State-House until the Logislature is organized aud takes possession thereof, e furthermoro declined to lot in tho stroot-rablle; thproupon the baflled bulldozers, with tho unretracted falss- hood in thoir throats, moved themsuelves over to 8t. Patrick's 1all, which {s tho White-Line Licadquarters, whera they went through tho sgham motions of organizing a General Assembly for the State of Louislana. Whal- over question there may bo as to the Ropub- licans having fairly elected their Goveruor asud Stato officers, thero can be none as to the Legislatura, which they carried even upon thu Confederate count. ‘The 8] rlng fou publishies a list of the Pn.smmunl Electors appoluted fn [iinols from the organization of the State In 1818 to the present time, In the Mst of early Elcctors tho Journal gives the followlng: 1820, Electore—James M. Moore, Adolphus Hubbard, Micnael Joucs. Their voled wore cast for Jumes Monrve fur President and Danlel D. Tompkiue for Vice-President. 1624, There wero chosen—Willlam Harrison, enry Eddy, Alexander I Fleld, Messrs, Eddy aud Fleld voted for Audrew Jackson; Mr, Harrison fuor Johu (‘ulm‘y Adss, Th Was no candidate for Vice-Fresldent. Whe Coll falled 1u elect, and fu the Houss of Repre Ives ot Wushing- ton the vute of liliuols wos cast by Daulel P, Couk for Julm Quincy Adan who wus clected Presi- deut. Jolin U, Calboun' was elected Vico-Presl- dent by the United States Senate, In 1824 there was u fullure to elect a Presl- dent by the Electors, but CALUOUN was elected Vice-President, receiving 183 Electoral votes. These electlons were held before the days of party nomiuations, Mr. MoNROE recelving ull tho votes, The persons secking clection ud Presidentlal Eloctors fu Hlinols were self-nom- fuuted candldates, and wers voted for by the people sccording to personal prefurence, anduot particularly with referenco to Presidentlal can- didates. The Electors in 1824 voted, us stated by the Juurual, 8 for JacksoN sud 1 for Ab- AN, but all threo voted for Cavuous for Viee- President, who recelved mauy othier votes which had been given for AvAMS for President. Oue of tho curiosities of that clection was that Cou- necticut guve 8 votes for Apass fur President, and 8 votes fur JacksoXN for Vice-President, the Eloctors thus votlug for both the rivals. Jacs- 80 lacked 82 votes uf wn clection, while (uaw- = )% #oRD received 41 voles and Hanry CLar 87, A table of the popular vote of Tillnois for Presl- dentlal Electors in 1824 would be curious and {nteresting at this time. ——— T the Failor ar Ta¢ Tribune. Dra Motxes, In.. Jdan. 1.—\Was not for, Cuavneny., of Sonth Carollna, in favor with the Democrats thego untll the Hambnrg maesacre? 1t not. when waa he; and when did the Democrats have him? Jd. AL ML Hewas In high favor with themup to the time of the nomination of Wapz HaspTON for Governor, The firc-eatera made up their minds they could carry the State on the Mieslasippt plan * of buildozing and shootlug all the leading colored Republicans and scarlng tho others. 1lence, they put up Ilaserox, and began abusing CiasnersAre, who as a matter of frct fstho best Governor the Btate has had in 100 years, ——————— Ol 8roner savazely objects to compelling these who have beaten the eity out of three or four nillions of taxcr, upon quibbles and quirks, to pay up what they owe the city. Do we un- derstand that e Is willing to pay a part of thels deficit in nddition to his own proper portion of the publle burden In order that they mayescape? It L Isw’t, thon let hifin * dry up " in regard to the proposed bill to compel the tax-drhters to fork over what they owe the city. — PERSONAL. 3Mr. Sidney Lanfer, the Centennlal poet, was, untll recently, the irst fute in Asgar Hamerlek's orchestra of Baltimore, 1n consequence of falling health his has been ordercd away to Florlds, ‘The marriago in Boeton, Wedneeday last, of Mr. Francls 0. Lyman, of Chicago, and Miss Charlotte Dana, a davghterof B, H. Dsna. Jr., was wite nessed by a large and brilliant company, {ncluding tho venerable grandfathor of the bride and Mr, Longfellow and 3r, Bigelow. At the urgent sollcitation of Mr. Ford, the theate rical-maneger of Daltimore and Washington, Jiss Mary Anderaon hus tu‘uenled to play Lady Afacdeth in tho latter city next Friday night for the first time on ony stage. She Is aleo at an esrly day to attempt an imperéonation of lmuqm. 1f tho King of Spain marries the Princess Matla Merceden, dnughter of the Duc de Montpensler,— a8 the gossips say he will,—his family relations will bo wonderfully mixed, Intermarriage has been practiced among the Bourbons so extensively that the functions of thirty-two great-great-grand« parenta of tho young conplo were, owing to multi- tadinous crosses, performed by fourteen persons, Mr. Ull Perkins has been favoring this city with tile presenco; snd, besides teaducing & gentleman and lady through a commanlcation to one of the local printe, hie has found time to write a Joculnr articlo on Chicago mortgages to the New York Sun, Ar. Perking need not flatter himself with the hopo that many pereons can be annoyed by anything ho may say, lle was long since banished from re- rpectable newspapers on account of tho fecblences of hin writings, and be will never be able to make a reputation aimply by exhibitlons of malice. A gentleman ot Luncsille, France, flled his bathetab with bolling water, which he perfamed wlth s battle of “white-wine, o bottle of whisky, cayenno pepper, mpicon, and vegetables, aftor which, divexting himself of hils clothing, he jumped in with the cry, loud enough to be heard outaides **Adien, Tam going to cook myself a I'Ameri- calne.” The story is copled serioualy by soveral Journuls In this country, but It rends amnzingly like an tnvention of the Linaglnative gentleman of tlie Paris Figaro. 1f It is not & satira on American coukery, it i notling. Tho will of the Jate Cardinal Antonelli contains. two elngular bequesta of 25 francs each to the 1fos. pltal of the Santo Splirito In Rome and to the Holy Places of Jerusalenms. Tho meaning of these curl- oun legacles {8 now explained by the Now York Tribune. By alowof the Potifical States It was made neceesary to the valldity of o tertament that it should contain a gift of at least 5 franca 1o each of those plous ohjects, or elss that the testator shonld expllcltly declars hiefore the Notary that he wished to exclude them from his will. Cardinal Antonelll, helng a falthful son of the Church, con- formed to the laws i forco under the temporal rule of the Pope. Ttogers, the Atnerican sculptor in Tome, has tho independenco of thought to dress like an artist of the time of Da Vincl, which fow persous wonld ottempt to do, even o Rome. In his studio he wears & black velvet skull-cap, and the pecullar Tohg frock of liaht gray cloth, belted and tucked st the walst. Mr. $tory, it 1s sald, {8 rather ex. cluslve, ond malvtalna with hls wife a certaln se- loct soclety, into which admittance, if sought, I+ not always oblained, 1o recognlzes perfectly, wa should eay, the unnvowed principle on whicn all fnshionable aoclety 1s conducted, —namely, that no man on auny account must be pleased to make the acqualntance of anybody who really wants to know L, When a man happens to be at the same tlme a public character and a drunkard, bis frionds are accustomed to speak of him ne **brilliant Lut erratic.” Ttiva pltythat this descriptive phrase should be nsed so excluslvely In connectlon with one Infirmity; for the public men who are not drunkards, but are erratic, vastly outnumber the othors. A thievish Congressman cannut now be delicately referred to as crratic without offense 1o the nusceptibilities of his friends, who are apt ta imagino that an accusation of s diferent kind ot Intomperance has been brought sgainst him, but would not bo offended If one should say that ho atole. The American Naturalls! for Jonuary coutains on [nteresting articla on ** fducated Flean," The cducation of theso MNttlo anfmals, 1t appears, fe 8 mere sham and prelense, —oll the efects belng pro- duced by a pkillful guldonce of thelr struggles, ‘The most wonderful thing about exhibitlons of this naturo lu the proof they afford of tho strenzth en- tlroly ont of proportion fo the welght nnd slxe uf tho animal, Tho welght of aflea ls nbuut fve- hunidrethe of a graln, or, if well fed, one-tenth of ngratn, yet the model of o street-car drawn by one of them welghs 120 graine, or about 1,200 thnus tho welght of the fiea that drugu It 'The proprlety of Inrerting this intelligenco In the *4Personal ™ department wht be, it 1y boped, sufiiclently ob- vious, Mr, J, 3. Lalor, of Chicago, was severcly in- Jured by tho late rafirond sccldent st Arbtabula, and had & very narrow escape from death. Ils head was brufsed and burned, and his eyew 50 comne pletely shut that at last reporty be could sce noth. ing. A reporter of the Cleveland Leader auyw Mr, Lalor was, with one vxception, the woret hurt man at the hospltal, On balng asked how he escaped ke sald h knew nothing of the accldent antil ho wae told of it at the hospital, e wentto bed lo the slecper at half-past 6. How ho w3 reseued nobody at present cun say. Mr. Lalor has many friends fn Chicago, especiully iu the oflico of Tun Titinex, with which ho was at ono time counceted Inan cditorlal capucity, Peter Tonktre applicd fur adimlesion Lo a lodge of Quod Tomplars at Widnes, Eng. While waltingIn the ante-chamber to learn the result of the ballot, he did not sbtaln, as a virtuous tectutaler abould bave done, from lstenlng at tho key-lole. The consequence was ho heard a slater, objecting to hia election, aMirm (hat sbe had once heard Toukirs say bo would rather Liave bls right hund chupped oft than Join & lodge of Guod Templars. On heuring this infamous accusation, Tonkirs, unable to re- straln Limself longer, cricd oat through the Keye Lote, **It's & lv," Thersupun the Grand Worthy Secretary, In full regalia, rushed out and slapped Toukirs® faco. An mctlon for assault was luid agulnst the Sceretary, and thu Justice, bribad no doubt by the gold of iho liquur-dealord, Aned him 2, withtbe ulturnative of golng to fall for two monthe, Any further developments from this in- tercsting fracas will be duly reported i thess col uwmns, whetner Rusia or "Vurkey o 1o war or uot. 'lh\l woral );fln!lulu tuvolved I the vue case aro haps 8 hmportant as thoss of thy atler, e '"‘“‘;L ‘l‘lml:“lfl:! e (irsy, New \m o e We Mitter, “WilTiam, Tckery 11, ¢, Latilu und g, M.’ Poillips, Uairo, T3 Col, Fred Beck, Brooklyn: Howard Ruuau. Balitinose; C. &, Vincent, Davenport; 8. D. Fisher, Blogoi- fnzton; H, L muuo. etroit; W, I, Hastings, Dus uo; Ln.d( sud e @ Now Vork: Ad 5 Gariuer, M¢. i 8. W, packet, erlin, \\ Yion, Kalph Flamb, Sircator, | A6 T, U A5 urt Wasuel A, hiag g, V. Hondully DeKaib; 5 e Logerd, s Frovacacos C. 30, Ny, lowy £ U, Maker, Co- lum A e, Towas Gucar swmhm. lmummumu; W, . Grcen, Utica, N, Y. T Bullard, G l'udflo—('. J. L. A hat, Foud d r, : illoy, Frevport; C. o, Hes; Coty ton, Clncinyatl; W, E, Bur N R, Artuur, bt LIA Q. Lewls, Uttawa, 1 \rlu. Aln:hhlel- %% 1the lou, W. U, Shila Davls, Connecticul 1. uls v"{oponnu, aCrovset Col v o Dullock, - Lure