Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 16, 1877, Page 4

Bie CLUAGU wiiso0N: dUNwAx, DLlmdosi L, 107i—sis Uity PAGISS, & > 4 than people at that time generally i:é ¥ B Qi fijfihfing supposed. It is snid that a United 43’ i 7 @ | States gunboat -~ was actually ordered TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. CE—POSTAGE PREFAID. BY MAIL—IN ADV. 12.00 i #0113 One copy, Peryear. Ciub of four... e pecimen copies senl é'xu Podt-Ofice address fn fall including Etatoand unty. O poaTiitaccs may be made cither by draft, express, Fost-Oflice order, orin reistered letters, 8t our risk. TERMS TO CITY SUBSCRIBERS. Dafly, deltvered. Sunday cxcepted, 25 cents Der week. Datiy, delfvered, Suaday included, 30 cents per week. Address THE TRIBUNE COMPANT, Corner Madison and Dearborn-sts.. Chicago. DL Ordors for the delivery of Tie TEIBUSEat Evanston. Engicwood, and liyde Iark left In the counting-room Willrecelve prompt atiention. TRIBUNE BRANCH O; CES. TE CnrcaGo TRINTNE has established branch ofices for the recelpt of subscriptions and advertisements 88 follows: NEW YORK—Room 29 Tribune Buflding. F. T. Mc- Fappey, Manager. N FRANCISCO, Cal.—Palace Hotel. CHAELES Norraror, Mansger. PARIS, France—No. 16 Rue de la Grange-Batellere. B. Mauven, Areot. . LONDON, Eng.—American Exchange, 449 Strand. Agent. Bexey F. GILLIG SOCIETY MEETINGS. OMAS J. TORNER LODGE, Yo. 4. A. F. and ATHOMAS Kiettin Anmus) Comunication Thureday evening, Dec. 20, at_American Express Bullding. 76 Monroe-st. Al members of this Lodge are expected 10 be present. Special meeting Thursday at 4 for work 5'at 4. m, on M. M. Degree. Public fusualiation of 1he officers-elect will be lield Thursday, . 27 (St John's Day). in ‘connectfen with an address of Bro. and Yiev. H. W. Thomas. Oricntal Quartette will furnish the musical programme. to which the members and thelr friends will llk(é;iul!l and timely npotice, and gov- hemselves ACCOTdingly: 2 b 'J6H5 £. PETTIBONE, W. M. ‘W. M.STANTON, Sec' ORIENTAL CONSISTORT—Themembers of Orfental Conslstory, S.°. P.~. It. . &, . 32d Desree, are requested 10 appear 8t thelr Asylum, fuily cquipped, this (Sunday) noon a1 12 o'clock slisrp, Tor ie_purpose of attending the funeral obsequies of our late Saolime Prince of the Jtoyal Secret32d Degree, John L. Wickers. The Con- sisiors will leave the Asylum at 12:30 fn carrlages to residence, 143 Front-»t.. thence fo Graceland Ceme- tery. By order G. W. BARNAID, 3 Degree, Com- ander-in-Chef. FJAS AT B1iD, 320 Degree, Grand Sec. APOLLO COMMANDERTY. No. PLAR- Special Cunclave at Asslus St on Tucedsy cvening mest 3 I‘lcm}_lfi. 20 T30 N mpt., Ltaicd Conclave AtA o'cock. Following tie T oipr nusiness of the eveninz, the Order of the Tem- i will bo conferred. & full atiendancs fr, Tequested: v come. By orderof th ander. aosp s 3.1 DUNLOP, Tecorder. WILLIAM_B. WARREN LODSE, 209, A. F. & A M.—The Twenty-third Aunui Communication of 1hits Lodze will_be he'd at hall 74 Manroe-t.. on Saturday evening ne Dec. Dalf-past § cxt, 1 oelock:. for the electfonof officers. pavment of dues, fad trausaction of other important business, Lvery rexaeat member (s iequested 1o be prssent. Bis order L. DUSLOP, Secretary. RILWINNING LODG! Annual Comniunication T hursday evening, Dey Jtnzie-st com! for the elecs welock, for Every mem- of duee. A M. B :D COLE LODSE, Yo. 607, A. F. and A. M. HhaG o it b it Ehelr it . Dee. 20, at 13 e e i ‘payment of ducs aal the election of wufog year. By order WAL Doz, 18, n dworkon . C. cuic, ton tions to be one of the most splendid 3¢ erien. s feats in history. A correspondent ulehis coareously tnviie: - 3 qems describes the meeling of Osxax and Ju] JAS. E. MEGINY, Liccords nt., Lie ¢ WouD. Seeretary. 4. R iny, Dee. olph and 1als! ment of. dues. fii ler. GUILFORD, 1. 2. e 3 Ci aliy 1 By of rese cortlaliy” L35I G1NOCTHO, Bee. rder W, . Sec. APOLLO LODGE. Communication Thirs nesx. clection of oliicers, and meubers are hereby notified 1o W. H. REID. See. KEYSTOXE LODG: All members are nottied 1o ! John Wickers, deceased, . RARZ, See M . BERNARD COMM. aed Condiave. Wednesds s'clock.” Installation of ORis J. 0. DICEERSOX, Recorde CORINTHIAN CHAPTER, B b Aark 3 oot I |5 3 G, W BARNARD, H. P. J. 0. DICKERSON, Sceretary, SUNDAY. DECEMBER 16, 1877. Both Houses of Congress adjourned yes- tardsy afternoon until Jan. 10. In New York on Saturday greenbacks were worth 97]@974 cents on the dollar. The valuable time of the House was almost entirely taken up yesterday with a fight upon the resolutions of Mr. Woop, calling for the sppointment of o committee to investi- gate all the Government Departments according to the wholesale process adopted Bt the lnst session of Congress. The Demo- crats, under the leadership of Mr. Woop, made a determined effort to force a vote on the resolutions, but were finally obliged to uccumb and allow them to go over until the next session. | —— Along the Rio Grande ll is not 5o guiet as wight be desired. Our dispatches narrate a sloody encounter between the Tnited States woops stationed at San Elizario, in El Paso Jounty, Texas, and the 3exicaa residents of ihe town, who aro said to have been rein. lorced by a party from the other side of the river. The popatatioa of San Elizario, wd indeed of the whole conaty, is exclusive- ¥ Mexican. The news of this outbreak saused some excitement in Wasbington yes- serday. The Texan delegation culled upon thePresident asking for the adeptionnf meas- ares to protect the American ciiizens along the * border. In comnection with this matter it i5 reported that the Sub-Committee on Afil- itary Affairs in the House have just discorv- ered that in 1875 the Government came much pearer engaging in a war with Mexico to the Rio Grande, and all arrangements to have come to an amicable termination, although for black, and there was an odor of gore at this was the sensation *| this distance, is useful in reminding people still with us, in a measure, and, if they help debate, they will not be so utterly deplora- partists, the action of the French Deputies v who, even though defeated and piqued, must ing question. premature exccution yesterday. neighboring towns banded together Tuesday LAND LODGE, No. 211, A ks 80 iuelon | ty Jnil and lynching the murder- G oclocic for the | or The plan fell through, because the men from the Town of Gilson backed ous, fearing that they would meet with too much hindrance from the guthori- ties. It happened that news of the pro- jected attack upon the jail was renily sent to Galesburg, aud undoubtedly the Iynchers wonld have had trouble in securing their game. duy and Friday nights, and it is improbable that any violence will now be attempted. unanimously praised a great General as it has Osuay, the hero of Plevnn. Crities of all nations, friends and enemies alike, unite in declaring his defense of those fortifica- the Grand Duke Nicuoras, and tells how the Tussian officers all gazed upon the former with the greatest admiration. According to the correspondent, he is a man; the lower part of his face is covered with a n streak of gray; large Roman nose and black eyes. ths face of a great chieftain. of Gen. and were made for an invasion of Mexico, bub through the peaceful offices of Secretary Fisu the plan was foregone. The story does not wear an aspect of entire credibility. There will be no occasion either for pis- tols or for coffec. The difficulty petween Senators Gonpox and Coguive is believed awhile the sky looked the National Capital. Decidedly, of yesterday. But the episode, laughable as it seems at that the laws of chivalry, so fondly believed to have passed away and grown obsolete, are to preserve the amenities of Congressional ble as they are apt to be considered. 1 Not\vilhslnnding-;.he ;rolest of the Bona- in voting o portion of the budget yesterday was an expression of confidence in the new Ministry. In aspeech to the Chamber 3L Leox Saxy asked for a credit of 29,500,000 franes 'to cover the Government ex- penses for two months, and this was promptly granted. Thus have matters be- come partially established again in France, after so many wmonths of disquiet and appre- hension. GAMBETTA'S paper, the Republique Francais, takes the present opportunity to pay a handsome compliment to AlacMaxox, feel relieved to have the struggle ended. A curious infringement of the usually strict army discipline is reported from Chey- enne. A private in a cavairy compauy hav- ing a grudge against a Sergeant, went to the Intter’s tent Friday night and shot a person whom he supposed to be his enemy, but ,who proved to be a differ- ent man. The comrades of the as- sassin, provoked by this dastardly act, on the same night took him by force from the guard-house and strung him up to a con- venient tree. However justly this summary kind of punishment might be deserved, it was undoubtedly opposed to all the mili- tary rales and practice, and how the Iynch- ers will be dealt with remans an interest- The outlaw, RaNDE, narrowly escaped a No less than 800 citizens of Galesburg and the with the avowed object of forcing the Coun- Anestra guard was put on Thurs- Itis seldom that public sentiment has so strongly-built black beard without and he has a His is In the words SropeLorr, ¢ Osaay ghazi be is, v the Victorious he will remain in spite of his surrender.” short, THE COUNIY OFFICES. The new members of the County Board are cncountering more cwbarrassments in mnking the reforms expeceted of them than they counted upon. It is difficult to deter- mine just how wuch of the blame justly rests upon them and how mnch upon the old members who were reckoned upon to act with them. There were only five new mem- bers elected, and they are powerless by them- selves; but it was confidently anticipated that three of the old members would second their efforts, sod it was hoped that four might be induced to join them. Of these only two—DMessrs, Avass and Sexve—have shown the good faith that was promised. It was expected that Mr. Tasoe would act with the Republican members, becanse he is a Republican, and that Mr. FrrzeeraLp would nct with them. bécanse he professes to he a Reformer. But each of these gentlemen scems disposed to dictate his terws, and to refuse to vote in the interest of the people cannot submit to the dictation of MUIBHEAD ‘without abandoning their work of reform. Then they turn to Mr. FrrzGeErsLD, Who has for a long time made lond professions of devotion to reformn, and Frrzeemarp takes practically the sume position as Tanor. He will not act with the seven Reform members unless they agree to appoint ono Hy~Es a8 County Attorney,—a position scarcely second to that of County Agent. This Mr. Hrscs is an Arkanses carpet- bagger. He wasa Republican in Arkansas for the purpose of running for office, and ho became a Democrat immediately upon his ar- rival in Chicago for the same purpose. The County Attorney should not oniy be a good general lawyer, but he should be especially familiar with the law of tax assessmonts, 18 the tax-Gghting in the courts affords the chief occasion for the County Attorney. Mr. Hynzs has not been long enongh a resi- dent of Chicago, and has never had the legal practice, to qualify him properly for the place ; and it would be almost as fatal to sub- 1mit to FrrzeeraLd’s dictation of HyNEs as to Tasor’s dictation of MuIRHEAD. The Reform members then turn to look for some one else in the Board to join them in the effort to secure good men for the dif- ferent places. Lexzex comes forward, we understand, and says that ho will vote with them if they will retain his man PETERS as Warden of the Poor-House and Insane Asylum. But Perees issaid to be an incom- potent old fellow, and this cannot bo dono without forfeiting the claim to reform. In one word, the effort at reform is met at every step with propositions for bargain- ing. It is this circumstance which lends us to advise the real Reformers of the Board to sbandon all further caucus efforts. It may well be doubted, 1n any case, whether tho caucns is the proper agency for reform. Let the Reform members go into the open Board with the determination not to vote for unfit men, and let them individually present the names of persons whom they know to be suited for certain places. If, for instance, such a man as Mr. Trospery, the Superin- tendent of the Relief and Aid Society, were nomed for County Agent, everybody would recognize his fitness immediately, becausc his personal honesty and csperienco have been fully tested in a similarkind of work. Like nominations throughout would force the members of the Board to show their hands. MMr. Firzcerap, or Mr. Tapor, or MMr. Creary, or Mr. BrapiEy, or anybody elso in the Board from whom there is tho slightest reason to expect aid for reform, would be obliged to vote for unimpeachable men or openly confess their opposition to the public sentiment. This course is the only one left to the reform clement, and they must stand or fall by insisting upon a thorough reformation all around. RUSSIAN SENTIMENT. The recent paper printed in the Sezerny Vestnik by Prince WASSILTCHIEOFF, and to which we have alluded beforo, has attracted somuch attontion throughout Europe, es- pecially in diplomatic circles, as representing Russian sentiment with regard to terms of pence, that itis worthy of mors than ordi- nary consideration. The utterances of the Prince are nlways rogarded attentively in Russia. Although he has always kept aloof from office, he exercises grent influence in political and diplomatic circles, and even in Court. Heisa moderate Slavophile in his feelings, and has given special attention to the study of social and political science, as well as of international law. He isin the highest degree, therefore, to be considered a publicist, and one who speaks with a certain degree of authority, as is shown by the at- tention that has been given {o his paper in Eaglish Court circles. The points made by the Prince may be briefly summed up as fol- Tows: 1. The war was undertaken for the eman- cipation of the Balkan Sclaves, and at the same time Russia entered into an obliga- tion mot to appropriste amy territory in Europe. The first part of tho programme will bo satisfied by procaring “firm guaran- tees for the Balkan Sclaves” (Bulgaria) and “full putonomy for some provinces” (evidently Servis, Bosnin, and Herzegovina). The second part will be satisfied by not annexing any of the European possessions of the Sultan. The first part, therefore, represents the minimum of obligation to the Sclaves, the second the maximum of con- cession to the European Powers. 2. Russin undertook no obligations with respect to the Asiatic dominions or the Black Sea. The possession of the latter is of im- portance with regard to the fature bearings of the Eastern question. If Roumania, for instance, after receiving territorial compen- sation for her services in the war, should, after the consolidation, decide to maintain strict nentrality, and refuse her territory as a base for the Russian armies, a!l access to the Balkan peninsula would be barred. The Black Sea, therefore, would be the only ap- proach left to Russia. 3. A State has no right to sacrifice the fortunes and lives of its subjects without compensation ; therefore Russia must de- unless he can seeure some special favor for his friends. At last accouats, the Republic- an members had abandoned their caucus siate; and we are'mclined to think that the matter should be left there, and that no fur- ther attempt be made to agree npon the ap- pointments except in open Bonrd. ‘We will assume that seven Reform mem- bers of the Board—Messrs. SEXNE, Avans, Srorrorp, Meres, Buniing, Boese, and ‘WHEELER—are united in the single effort to secure the bess aveilable men for the differ- ent county places. But they are in the mi- nority, aud require auother vote to carry the day. They turn to Afr, Tasor, who zn- nounces that he will not act with them un- less they appoint his man Mommeap ns County Agent. But the County Agent's place is the most important and responsible of all. Te has charge of the distribation of coal, provisions, and other supplies doled out to the deserving poor. He can save or squauder thousands of dollars in the course of the winter, and, as the judge of the supplisa furnisted under contract, he can either facilitate or prevent swindling. Mr. 3loizaeac is said to be totally unfit for the place, and there are circumstances in his ca- reer that certainly indicate something of the kind. To begin with, he is a chronic office-holder and officescoker. As Asses- sor of the Town of Lake, it is said that Lo favored the Stock-Yards Company, the Stock-Yards Bank, and other Stock-Yards institutions, in such » manner as to impose thousands of dollars of taxes on the remninder of the county. This is the reason assigned why Mr. Tasor, a Stock- mand compensation for her losses. As she cannot demand territory in Europe, and Turkey is too poor to pay money, the most effectunl satisfaction wonld be the cession of the Turkish fleet. Tlis would of itself prove the best possible guarantee of the autonony of the Sclavic provinces. Such 2 compensation would be based upon princi- ples sanctioned by internationallaw. ¢ Free- dom of navigation, the opening of the Straits, and the reconstruction of the Rus- sinn Black Sen fleot, present such ndvantages for the future of Southern Russia and for the further solution of the Eastern question, that, in comparison with them, all other conditions of peace must be regarded ns secondary.” 4. Such a compensation wonld meet with less opposttion by the other Powers than any other. Austrin and Germany are mot opposed to the development of Russia in an Asiatic direction ; therefore the command of the Black Sen and the change of the Russian frontier in Asiatic Turkey would meet with littlo antagonism. N These four points compose the substance of this remarkable prper, and they undoubt- edly represent, as nearly as it is now possible to forccast, the progremme that Russia will be likely to follow in coming to n settlement with Turkey. So far as the autonomy of Servin, Bosnia, and Herzegovina is con- cerned, there would be mo opposition in Europe. It is certain that Anstria and Ger- many also will dever object to tho consolida- tion of Bulgaria and Roumania into ome strong provinee of 5,080,000 or 6,000,000 of people under the German Prince Cant, the TYards man, incists that Murneap shall be rewarded with the place of County Agent. It is certzizly an excellent reason, if true, why e should not be appointed to that or any other position, and this resson is sup- plemented by another, if, os is alleged, Mom- mEAD is urged by Perionsr, the former *¢ Boss.” The Reform members of the Board present ruler of the latier, as a compensa- tion to the Roumaniens for the gallant man- ner in which they have behaved at Plevna, and for the inestimable services they have rendered Russia in allowing her to use their territory as a base of operations. If Ger- many and Austria ‘do not object, the senti- ‘mentof England is of little consequence, With regard to the Black Sea, the most strenuous opposition would come from England, who would seo in its possession by Russin a fresh menace to her Asintic possessions, and this opposition would be all the fiercer if Russia should obtain the Turkish fleet. Without a fleet, however, the Black Sea would be of little consequence to Ler. The liberty of the sen and the right of passnge through the Straits into the Mediterranean would be only a right in name and form, if she haduo fleet to guard that right, as England would bo very likely to use the mavigation of the Streits in such a way ns to affect the inter- ests of Russia unfavorably. That England, meanwhile, has expected some such action on tho part of Russia is evidenced by her efforts to purchase the flect of the Torks,—a transfer, however, which would undoubtedly become the subject of diplomatic contro- versy, since it would pour willions of money into tho depleted tronsury of the Turks, and might enable them to prolong the war. It is mot impossible, therafore, that the ques- tion of tho flect and its disposition may yet become the most vital point in the issue of pence or further war. DISTRESS-WARRANTS AND EXEMFTIONS: As Tae Trmose predicted, the public resentment at the manifold outrages com- mitted by landlords’ agents. and Constables in serving distress-warrauts is operating to create a public sympathy for dss McKrx, swhich will probably lead to her acquittal for the killing of Constable MoEruiGorr. This cannot be prevented; but the sanctity of human life should restrain thoso who now seek to make the unjust law a provocation for pursuing tho same desperate course that Miss MoKee adopted. The law cannot be amended in the way wo have heretofore suggested, nor in any other way, till the meeting of another Legislaturo; but in the meantime the Justices of the Peace can do much to prevent its porver- sion, and the ountrages practiced under its cover, by pointing out in every instance the protection to which tenants are en- titled under the law, and cxercising even extra-legal nuthority to keep the costs with- in a rensonable limit. The debtor on account of rent, as well as every other claim, is en- titled to an exemption of $100 of personal property, if a single person ; if the head of & family, and living with the family, the law provides an additional exemption of 300, or $400in all ; and in both cases the debtor is allowed to make a selection of what shall be exempt under these restrictions. This pro- vision of the law, there is reason to believe, is utterly ignored in nine cases out of ten where warrants aro served. 'There can be no lawful collection nnder the warrant without theissue of a judgment, and henceforth every Justice of the Teace who gives judgment should be at special pains to inform the defendant; either verbally if defendant ap- pears before him, or in the judgment itself in cose of default, just the amount of pro- tection to which the defendant is entitled. Every Justice who shall hereafter fail to take this precaution, and evory Justice who shall neglect to exercise his influence to preveut the collection of exorbitant fees, either by Constables or landlords’ agents, must take ‘upon himself some of the moral responsibili- ty if shooting or violence results from the gbuse. It is too much to hope for any re- form or decency among the Constables as a class, or nmong those men who are in the habit of acting 8s agents in distraining for Tent; but the Justices aro sup- posed to be more reputable men, and, as they are pretty nearly absolute in their domain, fthey may construe the law in favor of fairness. as well asin favor of injus- tice and brutality. They can exact a sched- ule of the property; they can enforce the legal exemptions; they can compel a proper notice of sale; and they can prevent the sharks from eating up the property seized by outrageous charges for expressage, storage, watching, ete. Public attention has now been 80 generally aroused to the abuses under this law that every Justice who shall fail to exert himself in bebalf of the fair treatment of the debtors for rent who come before him may expect to be held personally responsible for his neglect. CRIMINAL INJUSTICE IN CHICAGO. There is something fatally defective about the administration of criminal law in Cook County. Let us recall n few instances that _have occurred within the Iast fow days. A week or two ago & negro named An Sxrre was tried for murder and convicted. The case against him was clesr, and his crime peculiarly atrocious. Sirrn was making threats to shoot a barkeeper and brandishing 8 revo'ver about, when a man stepped up to him with the purpose of pacifying him. Sxara turned apon the peacemaker and shot him dead. The jury brought in a verdict of murder, which should have been followed by sentence and execution. But the Judge granted a new trial, and the State’s Attorney, rather than go over the trial again, accepted a plea of manslsnghter. The result was a senience of fourteen vyears, which at best means only a little more than seven years, counting the time allowed for good bekavior, and which may mean only two or three years if an Executive pardon shall intervene. In other words, a man who ought to be hanged, under the law, escapes twith about as much punishment as is meted out to a poor devil who steals an overcoat. Toke the case of FrANE SHEPPARD, who Kkilled Police-Officer McArTnur. The officer 5aW two men going into a lumber-yard. One seemed to be sober, the other drunk. Pretty soon one of them came running out. erying that he had been cut with a knife. Officer McArtrUR stepped into the yard to investi- gute the matter, and then Smerrarp stabbed him to death. If wasa cold-blooded, brutal murder; but the jury, finding the man guilty, fixed the sentence at twenty-five yenrs in the Penitentiary. Of course, a motion for a new trial was entered, and it will probably be granted if Judge McAzrLis- TER continues on the Criminsl Bench. In suy event, this murderer will serve out a few years in the Penitentiary, and then he will either be pardoned, or, serving ono or two years longer, the ‘“good time " allowed him will reduce his term to that allotted for com- mon felony. Take the case of Joms Garrrry, the noto- rious rough, bully, and jail-bird, who is a terror in the community, and should be kept chrined up during the term of his natural life. He was finally indicted for assault with intent to kill, after having made fifty such assaults. But he was almost immedintely released on straw bail. When this trick was exposed, another capias was issued for him as much as a week ago. The officers sought him in all his well-known resorts and dives, but could not ind him. He had evidently been forewarned, and managed to keep ont of the way. But on Fridsy this bully, as if conscious of success, walked into the Crim- inal Court room, told the Judge he would give new bail ina few days, and was per- mitted to walk coolly out of the court-room again, and may be heard of to-night as hav~ ing murdered or assaulted somebody else. If Judgo McArLisTeR was satisfied Gannrry's present bail is worthless, why did he allow him to walk off again? If not convinced his present bail is wortbless, why did he issuo o new cepins and order him to get new bail? The probability is, that Garerry will not even be brought to trial. Take nuother and less important case. There is & young girl named Exnia Haxso¥, who is seid to be a street-walker and of bad charaeter. Justice Monuisoy, who says the girl has been brought before him many times, finally sentenced her to six months in the Bridewell. Justice Morrisox is well known for his leniency, and is the last man to do an injustice to an arrested person. Neverthe- less, Judge MoAruiszer ordered the release of this girl on the statement of the mother, who is said to be fully awareof the bad character of the daughter. All these are cases that have come to light during the last three or four days, and the sameo length of time msually develops as many. Such an administration of the crim- inal law of Chicago is a standing menace to the safoty and welfare of the community. It will be well for the next Legislature to in- quire whether the practice of changing the Criminal Judge every three months in Cook County is not a vicious one. There are cer- tain men who, no matter how excellent Judges or thorough lawyers they may be, are constitutionally unfitted to preside over a criminal tribunal; and Chicago and Cook County are suffering too severcly by ignor- ing this fact. CONGRESSIONAL QUARRELS. Senator Conkrixc’s defiance of Senator Gonpo, in the debate of Friday, will not lead to serious consequences. But it recalls the important fact that the Senator from New York isone of the rendiest men with Lis fists that have been in Congress for many years. Vhen he sat in the Lower THouse he was recognized as the most accom- plished pugilist in that body, with the sole exception of Jomx MorrissEy; and, though e hias not beou in perfect training sinco his promotion to the Senate, his physical prowess has earned him the respect of his political adversaries. He had good reason, therefore, to answer sharply the impertinent remarks of Senator Gorzrox. He knew that, if the worst came, he might, as the challenged per- son, nnme boxing-gloves as his weapons, and give his opponcnt a lesson in the mysteries of the “* counter” which he wonld not soon forget. In the interests of humanity, we rejoice that a slogging-mill of this descrip- tion is not to take place; but it would be useless to deny that the cause of science loses evervthing that humanity gains by the pencenble arrangement of the quarrel. The times have been that Congressmen fought smartly on less provocation than that offered in the debate of Friday. A quarrel then meant something more than a display of fisticuffs. First among the Congressional brawlers, in point of originality and time, was MaTTEW Loy, who attacked Grisworp, of Connecticut, with a fire-shovel during the open session in 1798. Contemporary rec- ords nssert that this was one of the most interesting differences of opinion ever seen in the House. but the chronicler neglects to say which one of the combatants carried off the honors of the occasion. There were in those early days also mauny challenges be- tween eminent statesmen for words spoken in and ont of Congress. DeWrrr Ormvtox fought & duel with Jon~ SwarTrouT in 1802, snd another with Gen. Daynroux, of New Jersey, in 1803. The famous duel between Haarrtox and Bumr occurred in 1804, Hrx- ry Crax fought the first time with Hoa- paREY MARsHALLin 1508, and the second time with Jomx RaxpoLrx in 1526, vindicating in this manner his honor against the state- ment that his vote for Jomy Qurv- cx Apaws was ‘‘the coalition of a Puritan with a blackleg.” Tmoyas H. Bew- 705 nud ANDREW JacksoN both fought duels. Mr. CrLiey, of Maiue, was killed m a duel by Graves, of Kentucky, in 1838. A num- ber of duels and personal encounters, more or less scrions, grew ont of the BROOKS- Starver affair. Besides the physical injuries inflicted npon Mr. Suavee, from which he never recovered, a challenge passed between Axsoy Bunriseas® and Broors. The weap- ons nomed were rifles and the place Navy Island, above Niegera Falls. Brooss refused to koep the appomntment, alleging that it would not be safe for him to travel throngh the North in the then excited state of public foeling. BusLiNGaweE was on hand ready to procecd. Ho gained great popularity for his conduct in this offair; but the Puaritan senso of Massachusetts, when it had time to cool, was against him, and he lost his eleciion afew years after- wards, though not solely on this account. He had another scrious encounter with Kerrr, of South Carolina. BARESDALE, of Mississippi, who assisted Broors in hisas- sault npon STMNER, was a noted fighter in his day. In one scrimmage in the House he took holdof a spittoon es an offensive weapon, end had his wig pulled off. Punch did the scene up in a cartoon. He was gt last killed at Gettysburg. = A memorablo quarrel, which induced preparations for a duel. was that batween JerFERsoy Divis and Bissery, of Illinois. The affair fell through, but it added something to the reputation of BisseLt, who was afterwards clected Governor of Illinois, and had his title disputed on the score of his disqualification, 25 a party to s ducl, under fhe law. Porrem, of Wisconsin, and Prror, of Virginia, had an affair of honor, which was terminated by the_ selection of bowie-knives as the weapons by tho former. Pryor rotreated, asserting that no gentleman could fight with bowie-knives, and Porrcr was known to fame as “ Bowie-knife Porren.” DuEr, of New York, gave the lie to MEaDE, of Vir- ginin, in debate, but no duel followed. Foors, of Mississippi, struck FrexosT in the ante-room of the Senate Chamber, but smoothed the matter down by an ample apology. He had a more serious difference with BevrtoN, upon whom he drew a re- volver in the open Senate. Five men caught hold of Foore, and four seized Bextox. ' The former was disarmed, and the latter cried out: ‘“Let the assassin shoot!” Senator Boruaxp struck Census-Commissioner Kex- ~epy in the grounds of the Capitol; Grix- NELL, of Jows, was cowhided in the rotunda by Rousseav, of Kentucky; GReziEr was knocked down by Rust in the street, offering no resistance ; and there have been various other affrays, more or less momentous and disgraceful. There have been no fatal duels smong Congressmen, with the exception of the one which resulted in the death of Cruxey, already referred to. The Southerners, who in the old days were often the nggressors, failed on several occasions to make good their threats. The moment a determined resistance was offered, they found other means of accommodating their difficulties then bloodshed. The ending of several challenges in this manner at last suggested that the known scruples of Northern men. and the public sentiment against dueling at the North, encournged the display of angry passions by the Sonthern members. There- after the exhibition of a more decided inten- tion to resent every iosult was con- sidered o measure of self-protection, and was found effectusl. Since the War, the quarrelsams spirits have come s often from one section of the country as the other. If there was any abuse of par- linmentary privilege in the debate of Fri- day, Senator Coxgrivg was the guilty per- son. He does not seem, however, to have exceeded the bounds of decornm. The words of Senator Gorpox addressed to him were insulting. In crying out, * Go on with the calendar,” Senator CoxkLiNG was following an established nsage. Gorpox’s exclamation, “The Senator from New York is issuing érders to the Chair,” was, under the circam- stances, an impertinence. Senater CoNg- e bad a right to say, as he did, that Gorpox’s statement was untrue. But neither Seuztor has been foolish enough to carry the matter farther, they having settled their dif- ferences yesterday amicably in executive secsion. —ee The question of monetizing silver is dis- cussed by its opponents asif it wera a propo- sition to introduce somothing new in Amer- jcan coinage, and to establish a new legal- tender hitkerto unknown. The silver dollar was named in the first act providing for an American coinage, and that dollar was made the nnit of value, and remzined so from 1793 to 1873. It was abolished so secretly that President GraNT, eight months after he had signed the law, wrote to a friend expressing his regret that the coinage of the silver dollar wes not progressing as it ought o be, and then learned for the first time that the coin- nge had been prohibited by law. In 1875 Gov. Haves, now President, in all his speeches in Ohio in the memorable campaign with Arien, advocated a resumption of specie payments, and the payment of all oyr debts in “‘gold and silver.” He was not then aware, though two years and a half had elapsed since the act had passed, that silver had been de- monetized and the coinage of silver had been prohibited. The fact that silver had been demonetized seems to have been un- known to persons from all perts of the country who took partinthat campaign ; had it been known, the Democrats would have made such use of the fact that the election, in all probability, would have resulted other- wise. The ccinage of the silver dollar was prokhibited in 1673, and its legal-tender char- acter repealed in 1874; neither fact was gen- erally known until Iete in 1575, so in reality bu two years have elapsed since the wrong has taken any practical shape. The motion to restore it is, therefore, nothing new ; it is not the introduction of oy new principle or policy; it is simply to correct o great wrong, or a blunder, aud to give to silver the rank and mouney value it has had in this country since 1793. The gold value of the 41214-grains silver dollar to-day is a fraction over 90 cents. In the mean- time, the gold value of the greenback dollaris about 97 cents. I the country conld be auite gure that, by remonetizing the 41214 sflver dollar, its value would rise to or exceed that of the greenback dollar, there would be 1o reasonable objection to it. But ‘‘there’s the rub.”—Journal. If the paper dollar, which has no intrinsic value at all, is, by reason of being mnde a legal-tender, worth 97} cents, why shonld not the silver dollar, which has an intrinsic value of 92 cents, upon being made a legul- tender become worth as much as the paper dollar? Demonetize the paper dollar, and it will be worth about four cents a pound; the silver dollar demonetized is worth 92 cents ; monetize the silver dollar, and why should it not be worth as much as the paper dollar? According to official returns made to the Ba- reau of Statistics, there arrived at the port of New York during the month of Nevember, 1877, 4,745 immigrants, of whom 2,797 were males and 1,045 were females. Tn addition to the immi- grants, 2,221 passengers arrived, of whom 1,340 were citizens of the United States and 272 so- journers. The countries from which the immi- frants took shipping for the United States were: Tugland, $41: Scotiand, 153; Wales. 10; Ircland, 605; Germany, 1,583: Austria, 192; Sweden, 121; Norway, 42; Denmark, 36; France, 173; Switzerland, 98; Spain, 40; Italy, 279; Holland, 46; Belgium, 14; Russia, 410; Poland, Hungarv, 54; Greeee, 3; Nova Scotia, : St, Croix, 2; Jamaica, 2; China, Mexico, Guatemala, United States of Colombia, Ven- czuela, Peru, and British India, 1 eaci. ———— The alleged whirligiz of time does not always bring its allezed revenges. Mr. BiNCROFT Davis, ex-Minister to Berlin. who has just been appointed Judge of the Court of Claims, was for eizht years previous to the War the Ameri- can correspondent of the London Times. He resiemed that position because, after the out- break of hostilities, the Times insisted that his Jetters should be tinctured with sympathy for the Confederate cause. On the other hand, the man BAXTER, who has just been made Judge of the Fifth District, is said to have proposed dur- ing the War to buyup the entire Northern prese. He was a rabid Secessionist. ———— Tt is said that, before the fall of Plevna, Os- AN Pashaand Gen. Gourko had more than onc plensant communication. The Russian General once sent OsMAN a polite messaze, ac- companied by several numters of the London Times contalning reflections on the certain fall and eurrender of the town. 'To this tne Turk- 1sh General replicd, thanking him for his courte- sy, and adding that he would have plenty of time to read the copies of the paper inclosed before the opcning of the spring campaign. But the events of the last few days have shown Os3AN that he was a little “off? i his calcu- Iations. —— e, Mr. BowLEs is the latest and one of the most conspleuous instances of the successful effect of the obituary treatment. Since the newspapers ot his obituary mto type tea days ago, he has been erowing stronger, and if they don’t dis- tribute the type too soon he will recover. The grape cure, the milk cure, blue-glass, koufiss, electric pads, and pitel-plasters are as nothing compared with the effect of & few hundred col- umne of leaded minion biographical sketches left standing on the galleys of a hundred news- paper offices. —_— ‘Wedo hope, O sosincerely, that the effortsnow being made by the solid men of Boston to save the Old South will be successful. If that ven- erable relic of the Revolution shoula he torn down, the loss to the old-clo’ merchants and green-grocers, who can now advertise, © Go to the Old South for your $2 pants,” or, *Beans, cheap, in the sacred shade of the Old South,” would be irreparable. ——————— Manager MCVICEER, in his eager anxiety to reform the modern soclety-drama, proposes to dress his little stage-fairies hereafter in pull- backs, in order to conceal what he modestly terms their **Je—understandings.” He can rest assured that the public will not object so long as managers do not extend the application of this rule to their adult actresses. et S (W ““ My children,” said the old Commodore, as they gathered around his dying bed and srith tears in their eyes wondered how much he would leave, 1 must now depart and leave be- hind me my wealth. 1 have accumulated ’bout 8 hundred millions.” * How clear his head Is! Wonderful man!”* said the family, in chorus. “ There are many of you, and I must make pro- ‘vision for you sll.” “ How remarkable that he chould retain his mental faculties to the engm sald the chorus. * Perbans you do not ang, stand me; maybe I am wandering,” sajq u: moribund man. ** Oh, no, not at all; vournu: powers of mind were never so mn‘!uimoux manifested.”, *Then, I shall leave 53,00, 0]’) tomy son WILLLS—" Mad a5 3 Mag, harel” ** Poor, helpless, driveling old fdiot eried the other beirs, and. fled to retain lawyen at once. ———— Some one with no soul for oysters has starteq a malicious report that many of the ovsters ty; season, when their shells are first opened, n,o;: as if they had been engaged in a heated fam. ily quarrel. But that cannot be trae, g Duseonne, In his ereat work on molluses, iy tinctly says that the oyster has neyer beea known to “ get on his ear.” ——— The City Council of San Jose, Cal., adoted a bylaw forbiddice the inferment | the cemetery of ‘‘crimina's, Pprostitates, ang Chinese”: then, to prove that they were not moved to such action by selfish motives, added, “or disreputable persons.” e At the New York public schools, since lagt Thursday, when a pupil is asked, “Who I President of the United States?” and answ, “Mr. Haves,” the master by head with a slate, and says, * ignoramus; it’s Mr. CONKLING. ——— The best description of a leading editorfal fq the New York Zerald ever written is containe] in TEN X's “In Memoriam,” where the poct speaks of ers, s him over tne gy you inferna} ——the 2choolboy he And wild hysteries of the el it i Itisa pity that G. P. R. Jaxes conldu'thaye a chance to write up the surrender of Plevna, beginning, *1¢ was a bleak cvening towards the threequarters of the ninetcenth century, whey a solitary OsMAN,” etc., ete. ———— “ What shall it profit a manif he shall gain the whole world—#" said the preacher jm. oressively. * Depends what kind of a savings bank he puts icin,” suid a hali-asleep worshiper near the door. —— . None of the New York papers. describing the excise war in that city, have as yet thought fit to speak of It as * Die Wacht am Wein”—wTha Waten ou the Wine.” —————— **You're a beast of Lad burden,® Said Coni:ling to Gardon. **This insalt is ranklinzg. " Said Gordon to Cankiing, i Sy PERSONAL. Dr. Slade, the American Spiritualist, is now in Berlin. Richard Grant White says the slang word *gwell,” meanine grand, fine, pretentions, is s very convenient and expressive word, and ca hardly fail to appear in **the dictionary ™ of the next generation. Mr. Alexander H. Stephens has been pre- paring a epecch on the Colorada olection contest, e nas also been writing for tha (faze'ls of Balil- more an atticle full of anecdotes of the most eml- nent men of the last half centu: One of Lrdin Thompson's burlesqua actreszes, Camille Dubois, who journeyed all over America, dancing clog-dances and singing nursery rhymes, has had the 2ood fortune to win the affec- tion of the Ion. Wyhdham Stanhope, who has wedded her. Jr. Tilton left his two denghiers abroad at school. He has rented his old home in Brook. 1yn and has hired o room in New York. Mrs. Til- ton continucs to live with her mother, having her two sons with her. Ther are unusually bright 1ads, and are making grasifying progress at school. Queen Victoria's wedding-gift to the Duchess of Norfolk was, as msnal, an Indisa shawl. Some people huve wondered how it is the Queen has 2o many of these anaswls, and it is ex- plained that they form a part of the tribate which the Maharujah of Cashmere has to pay yearly te the Empress of India. The new magazine, Sunday Afternoon, pudlished at Sprinzticld, promises to take a high rank. Washington Gledden, the editor, formerly held o position in connection with the Inde- pendent. 1t desizns making a great feature of stories; two rerials will alwass be in progres: and each aumber will have two or three complets sketches. The table of contents of shs first nume Der, as advertised everywhere, i3 very attractive. The Rev. Dr. Dale, of Engiand, who re- cently lectured at Yale College, in a pablic ad- dresa after reaching home spoke of tie **generons and magnificent hospitality with which the Ameri- cans were accastomed to receive their English guests, " and sa:d that it had been extended to him in & most remarkable manuer. e was more than ever convinced that the Americans were a **noble, kindiy people.” A peper published at Guatemla notices a singular colrcidence with respect to the leading eveats In tae life of the chief dircctor of the late revolution, Kapesky. Ile was born on the 7th of the month, landed in Mczico on the Tth, betrayed Maximillian on the 7th, was shot inthe lez, from the effects of which ha never fuliy recovered, on the 7th, betrayed his party at Umoa on the b, and finally was one of the seventeen who were ex- ecuted on the 7th, in the 47th year of his age. This Jed to his being calied **The Man of the Seven.” An old gantleman, who was once intimate with Washington Irvinz, savs that one dav, tiwenty years azo, ac found some men at workon atract of land adjoin.ng Slecpy Hollow, and, hear- inz one of them addressed as Van Tassel, ad thinking of his friend Irvinz's legend of Sleepy Tlollow. he inquired of this man if he knew Katrina Van Taescl. **Why, " said the man, 'L ought to know her; reference beinz made by the gentiezzan to Irving's story of her conrtship, the man eaid. indigoantly, **Fias that Wash Irving been writing lies aboot my Aunt Kate?" The New York - World—an suthority in Canadian affairs—eays: *‘Lord Duilerin's cessor will, it is reported, be the Dake of Mau- chester. The Duke made an estended Americin tour a year azo, and has alwass taken a warm io- terest in the affairs of the Dntish dependencies, being President of the Colonial Institute. Cans dians will remember him as the anthor of 3 letter In regard to the Canada Pacific scandal, in wkich he supported Sir John A. MacDonald. Canada has not had a Ducal Gosernor for many a day,— not, if the 1orfd remembers rightsy, ence the Duke of Richmond, who cicd of hydtophobla.” Maj. Ben: Perley Poors has coipleted, after twelve years' work, the ** Book of Constita- tione,"and an edition snfficient to farnizh a copy 10 each member of Congress has been printed. This work consists of two parts, uniform with (hs Statutesat Large, and containing more than & thousand pages cach. It comprises not only the Constitution of the United States znd the present Constitutions of the Staies, bt a copy of the of- ganic law of cach State at ‘evary perfod of its his- tory, from the discovery of America to the present time. The carliest of the documenta s the bull of the Pope eranting America to Spain, and the latest the amendments to the State Constitations adopt- ed within the past year. This is the new style of “religious” corre- spondence, as exhibited in the Washington letter to the New York Independent: **The mantle of newspaper assanit now fell upon the honored bat choked-up head of Senator Thurman. In spite of snaff and catarrh, he flew into the breach. snd, amid blusts from his nose that shook the fonnda- tions beneath him and shook the galleries above him with peals of lsughter which woke the irate Edmunds to hinta of arrests, he “lathered * bis ovponent for arraigning his new-born son of De- mocracy ‘on the sccusation of an s00FmOLS newspaper scribbler. The newspaper and *the newspaper scribbler,’ pacied into every sentenct, were beaten with many etripes.” ML D. Conway, in a recent London letter, says: *“The increase of frand, especially In bigh places, I8 startiing. On Saturday last the sonof 20 eminent banker, the nephew of a Baronet, and the near relative of a Duke, were committed for trial on a charge of fraud, in the presence of their weeping wives.and families. Dr. Baxter LangleY. who was expected t0 go 1nto the next Parliament, is picking oakum instesd. for having swindied 3 Workman's Building Company of which be W33 nt Kate." Some * Chairman, and he s accompanied to jail by 8 ges~ - tleman who rejoices in the eignifcant pame of Swindlehurst. But the long catalogue of thuse whom the law has managed to dray out of 2 ° houses I still, I am sorry to say, shortascompared with the list of more clever rogues who manage 48 bave their offenses hushed up or escape.”