Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, March 18, 1879, Page 6

A TR s et O e P e s w vz . paper {s datuned as & mercenary concern, hav- STATE AFFAIRS. Some Comments upon the As- y sumptions of Small v Politicians. But Fourteen Senators Find It ¥ Convenient to Be at P Springfield. " Business inthe House Also Pro- vented - by Shametul Absenteeism. The Monoy-Baggors All Rushing to ' Bpringfield to Kesp Up Intorest, Qaestion ns to the Constitutionality of Pasing the Jolict Deficlency. A COommuniontion upon the Important : Subjeot of Land Drainage, THE LEGISLATURE. ORSERVATIONS. Epectnt Dispateh to The Tribune. Srrinorrsip, March 17.~About s dozen small-{ry politicfans at 8pringfield claln to own and ran the Republican party of the State of Iilinofs. Any intimation to the contrary by the press or anybody else s resented by theso magnates with the keeneat sense of personn! in- jury, and a8 an act of poaitive disloyalty to the Repuollesn party, For instance, should Tus TrinuNe refusc to he governed by the edicts of this volitical Syndicate and dare toraise its volco acaipst their unjustifiable usur- pation of power, that journal would be denounced, nud has Geen and is douounced g8 a renegade nowspaper recreant to the nferoats of the party and the welfare of the people. The Springfeld Regency have no use for mepapapers beyond the- feverage they can obtaln from them to boost themselves into office, . Bhould n great party organ hanpen to raise & volce on behalf of the nincty-nine-hnn- dreaths of the Republiean party aud their fol- Jowers outside the Springiield Ring, that news- ing neither consclence nor influence. . The Leglslatura §a couverted into A GREAT CAUCUS by thess ringstors, who use that body for the purposc of forwarding their political ends, ol diverting it from the Jegitimate purposes.for which it was sasembled. OF rouree, among sv Jarme a body, there are conflictiniz interests, and it happens, now and then, thut there are two _or three nsplrauts for ihe same office. For inatance, Cullom, the present Governor, and Qeorge l]nrluw, the See- retary of State, both want the nominution for Governor for 1880, sl cach has his slate made out. Ilarfow is supposed to have eaptured the country press, awl the Governor lias been ped- dling out small offices far the purpase of bol. stering up nnd extending bis power, Probably there fs uot s member of the present Btate Giov- ernment who docs not count. wore ur less conii- dently upon a re-¢lection to vfllee, und demand it ns o reward which the people are hound to tiestow npon him for ifa istinguished services in spending the people’s money i the yoars that. lave passed. As far us ability §s concerned wnd gervices to the party, there 18 nutaclerk of & County Court in the State who has not more of the former s inors ¢lnin for the lutter than any of theso men, |THE EFFECT OF ALL THIS CAUCUSING, and plotting, aud conspiring has been to stimu- It th ambltion of the small voliticians of the General Assembly, wlo have hec blatany demagozues, thinking thorehy 1o clevate thein- selves lnto oftice by the votes of an ndmiring constituency. 'The peoplo wlll do well and dounbtless servo their own interests if they throw the entire Soringfleld Syudlents overhoard at tife coming conventions, nud Lake hongst men fresh from thie people, uncorrupted by the ex- travawanes of oflieial e aid _untramieled by politieal comnplications with which thie Syndieate 1a surrounded. There 18 too much responsi- bility resting upon the shouiders ot these men, nnd the people should see to it thut a portlon of this burden s removed, 'Uhe traniuillity of private il would in & few years rostore the heatud hralns of these statesmen to thelr wonted equilibrivim, and perhaps savo them from the mad-honse, to- war LI‘ which they aro teuding with no uncertain tread. BENATE. Only fourteen of tlic twenty-five Senatorawho were #0 solfcltous for s quorum Saturday were {n thelr seats this morning when Scnator Ham- {lton rappea the Senute to order. Thosu present were! Archer, Hunt, Morritt, Dash, Lewis, Heott, Beut, Mayborne, Talltnfera, Fuiler, McClellan, Whitlng, amiiton, - As thy Benate was only one short of a ato- raum when It adjourned Saturday, it i3 probuble that theso last absentees, eieven fn number, ho- came sumewhat npprehiensive lest, if they re- mafned until to-day, the presence of an addi- tlonul Senntor might by that time be sceitred, and thua enable the Senate to trangact some of {ts limitod business yet remaining unflotshed. So theso Benators, heing appurently of one mind on this matter, went thelr way, with the result above Indieated. A SUOW 0P WORK, ‘The Secrctary read over tho entlro journal of Saturday’s proccedings without further inter- ruption than a request to read *louder,” all PI‘&ICHB being auxlous to hear and reflect on he important proceedings of that day, When lie had quite. finishea, .tho Chajr announced that, apparentiy, no_quorum was present, md thut a motion to adjourn would be very much in'order, ‘Fhercupon Senator Hunt nrose und moved that the Benate adjourn untfl 3 o'clock P. m. of this day, which was udopted, NO QuonuM. ¢ At 9 p. m. a fow moro Sunators werg present, buy not u quorum. Senator Iunt introduced a BilL, which minends the law of mlurllon 50 08 tn accomplish the same results souzht fu the bill Kknuwn as the Rappelye-Wallnes bill, Senator Whiting offered a resolution asking thut bereafter a eufl of the roll shall be made each morning, und a record of ahsentees kept. Acallofthe House wag then made, and the Beuuto udjourned. novse. The bill repealing the Sealpers’ act pending In the House will probably not pass, E. A, Mul- ford, of Chicago, s here to-duy, luoking ufter the interest of the measure, Fu ls considerably dlscouraged ot the present situation, statlugs 1hat ho was orrested seven thoes on Thursday, Tie dues not liave much Lopes of accompiishing anyihing with the present Loglsluturo, but lic fa Boing to sce what cun bo done, "Fhe Militia LIl aud the Dralnago ock oro the spectal orders for to-morrow, TROCEEDINGS, ‘The House et ut 6o'clock this ovoning, Bueaker Jumes i the chaie, In the absence of the Clerk it was moved to elect une pro tem, Mr. Crooker objected, saying that the Clerk ni the bill-ruomn wus perfectly competent to dis- chargo the dutles of the oftice, Mr. Bcott, of Burcau, Introduced a ‘resolution directing the Raflroad and Warehouss Comnns- sloners to furnish an itemizwd Het of employes in the Gratu Inspector's ofliee at Chicago, and nnlllnt: the attentlon of ke Houso that the pratd total amounted to $70,851,52, The reso- uiton was adopted. Mr. Crouker culled up Lis bl providing for tho cleetlons of u Recorder in LasSalle Couuty, und advanced it to u seeond reading. Mr. Hexton called up hus bill_maoking the City Treasurer custodian of the Widows' wnd Or- phans’ Pollcs and Fireman's Fund, which hie wished to have consollduted with thut of Repre- scututive Clark oa the sume subject, Mr, Thomas, of Couk, objected to this meas- \lllll‘l, on the ground tbut he'was opposed to both s, Mr. Bexton then fiot riled, and, resotving that no more business should Ly transacted, moved n cafl of the House, which resubted in shuwingg Ut ouly forty-seven memnbers were prescut, oud sccordingly the body adjourned to ) & . touurrow, - TIEZLE 154 CONSIDEKADLE LODLY influcnce at work to defeat the pussago of Housa il 811, prepared sud introduved Dy. the Ju- diclary Cuwmittes, reducing tbe coutract price of loterest from 10 per ceut’ Lo 8 per ceut, A uumber of Chicugo mouey-lenders ura Lere, anu THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: TUESDAY, MARCH 18, I8W—-TWELVE .PAGES.“ the influence of the banks Is azainst the mens- ure. ‘The bill has gone to the order of third reading, and will soon bu reached, probably by to-morrow or the *duy followlg, The mem- bers from the rural districta’ are warmly in favor uf the proposed change, wml sume of tha conservatlyo members of both bodies from the money-lending part of the State will also favor it ‘Thero scems to ba no doubt, ubless thero ahould _be n radlcal change in the sentis ment of the General Assembly, that the bill wht pass, ‘The linpression seems to be atrong In the minds of lezisiators that the agricnitural amd cammerclal Interests of the State demand the proposed chinnge. UNLAWFUL DEBTS. A CHANCR TO BTOF AND THINK, Spectat Dispateh to The Tyidune. 8rntyarieLy, I, March 17.—The bill to ap- rropriate $30,000 to pay debts of the Peniten- tlury nt Joliet contracted before the 18t day of Qctober, 1878, 18 in many *respeets a remarknble hill. Bomo of the members sre dissatistied with the bill, and freely exoress thelr opinion In about this way, These debts wers contracted not only without authotity of law, but i viola- tionof law, 8ec. 43 of the Penltentlary net, found on page 709 of tho Revised Statutes of 1874, reads: ‘The Commissioners and tho \Warden of sald Ponitentiary aru hereby furbidden to contract unv debt on betalf of the State Leyond the nmount of 1he appropristion made by the Usueral Aecembly; and If eatd Cotnmissicners, or cithor of them, or the sala Warden shiall, contract auv daht on dstialt of Ihe State beyond sich approprintina, auch cone tract shall o vold, and ssid Commissionees snd thelr uretica ar snld Wardun and his sureties shall be held hable 1o pay such debts, The standing appropriation to the Penlten- tiary from year to year Ia its earnings. If the Comnisstoners should teem this ncufMcient, thielr dnty 1s to ask of the Ueneral Asscinbiy an aidditiounl approprition In cash frum the State ‘Treasury for the ocusulng two yoars. Every other State insttution 18 MANAGED IN THIS WAY, ‘The Conatitution—in 8ce. 18 of Art. d4~directs that the teneral Assenibly shall inake all neces- y appropiriations for the next two years, It 18 the function of the General Assembly to fix the limit of appropriations, an the duty of the Htate ofiicers to confine themseves to this amount. Could a more perniclons extravagance e devised than to altow State oftleers of chorit- nble sud penal (natitutions to expend thetr ap: wroprintion, and then to contract such additional indebtedness as they pleasedi This the Com- missfoners of the Jolict Penitentlary have dooe., ‘Ilielr action is ngainst the theery of the Con- atitntion, und fu direct violation of the statute above quoted. It muy uot be unconstitutional for the Gen- cral Assembly to pay these debts as obligatfons of honor put upon the Stato by the {lleral ucts of the Commissioners. The legislation might bo regarded as appropriating the sum of $50,000 to make uv a deflcleney in the appropriation of 1he earning 'To puss such a bill requires two- thirds of the members clected to each touse under Sec. 18 of Art, 4 of the Constitution. But there are some members who beliove the Qencral Assembly is TROHIDITED DY THE CONSTITUTION ~ — from appropriating for any such debts, Sec. 19 ol Art. 4 ol the Constitution says the Ueneral Asscbly shall never **nuthorize the paymeut of uuy etaim or park thereof hercafter created nealnst thy State under any agreement or con- tract nads without express authority of law, uid all such unauthorized nwrcements or con- troets shintl be null andvyold,” The statuto lirst quoted showa that these debts were contracted 1 violation of iaw, nud the question Ig, Can thy (enernl Assembly properly pay them in view of the above vonstitiational provisfon ¥ It s thie duty of the Pemtentiary Commls- sloners at Sollet to nal of the islature u snf- flelent appropriation to run the Penltentiary for the ensuing two yenrs, und then to run jt with- iy the appropriation and nccording to law, or clse resign aid make roum for soine one who et It the actlon of the Commnissioners In con- tracting thiese debts can be eustulned, they bave the power to run the State futo an - unlimited indebtedness, It becomes their fudgment and not that of the General Asagmbly that maokes 1hic appropriation fur the Penitentiary, MORTGAGTS. BENATOR WINTING'S BILL TO TAX THEM. &peciat Dinpatch 1o The Tridune. SrmNarinnp, 1L, March 19.—The following Is the full text ot Scnator Whiting's hill for an act to provent double nssessment upon incunm- bered real estate, nnd to provide an cquitable mode of taxation for such property: SreTioN 1. Iio 1t anncted by the people of the Stato of Illinols, reprosented In the General Au. rembly, That a mortgage, deed of irust, o other cantract or obligation by which ndoebt {s aceured by lien upon_ renl estate, shall, for the purposes of et ai taxadon, be deenod ond treatod ne uninterest i the property thercby affected; and the holders of wich securities as foint owners, 10 Ue ngsewced nnd the taxes 1o be patd in (e district whera tho property Is Jocatew, and il holders of suc morigages or llens shall not ulscwhers bo ns- and taxed, 2, e owner of the feo of any Droperty chidming any deduction for mch incambrance, shall Ktalu 10 (ho Aescaeor, under uatn, the notare ani amonnt of the incnmbrance and 1 whom due, and ihie Awsesaor shall ussovs thu ownerof the feo and the owner or owners of {hu mortyage or other lion separately, and in ratable proportion, ns near us miy be o the valie of the foterest of cach, by deductine from tho rcal and full cash valuo of she property the valuo of tho Henor llenx, nasesaing the owner of the fes on the exceas, and thy or owners of the llen upan the value of s 2 but (i swsenaling theso smonnts, the same seale o usnessneiLs OF rate ner cent atiall bs observed as appticd L asseswing other property, #o thay chy hali puy his pro raia shure, und the nugro- uta be tho <umo na I the property hiad been os- Hedsed Lo one owner, Sre, i, Tho tax arising from tho ansessments of theso” vavernl futorosts ehall ho n lien woon the property, and alko s vahd debt against elthor sud all ‘the” partles In_ futerest, and iy be paid b eithor, ¢ the purt dug on'the fncnsubrance shufl b paid by the owuer of tho fee, then it shall cone stlfuta n payment thereon, and to thut extent bo an offsels and if the holder of the Jien shall puy the tax of the owner.of the fee, then the mnonnt o puid whall become to that extent an atdition to the old dobt dity him,—provided that, if any such lien ohall bo paid by the debtor niter seavsnment and before thy tax-lavy for that year, the Amonnt of such levy may lkewiso bo retuined by wuch debtor, und thi shall bo computod according to tho taxea on the same for the procuting years and provided, furthor, that taxes arlalng feom spocial tmesamenta for locul binproveruent hall bo s avaxed wholly againet tho owner of the feo. Sec. A, Auy controct hezvaltor mado, whareby tha ddebtor or owner of the foe of the land shall be aiilyated to pay the taxes of tho creditor an his mutigago ot other llen, shall be null and vold as 1w autl provision. CORRESPONDENCE, DRAINAUR, Tu the Lidvtor vf The Tribune, Cuicaao, Mareh 17.—The greatly-Increased interest In the subject of farm and voad drain- age which has been sroused within the last three or four years, and the more greneral appre- clatlon of 18 vast importance to the Interests of the State, bavo lul to vigerous eforis in the Legisluture to prepars sultable luws upon the subject. The exceution of such extended ol combined systemns as arc often required tor the dralnme of 8o Jevel u country as generally pre- valls In Ilinois, denuouls great caredn the frum- ing of 1aws to provide for the wauts and guard agutust thy Injuries whbich aro certaln to present themselves, Bevernl very claborate bills bave been under dlscusalon, but none of them have borne ovi dence of u thorough and comprehenslyve grasp of the subjeet, Tl lutest (8 House bill No, 6389, Introduced by Mr. MeKinluy on the 6th inst., aml this vn many uccounts is less objectionable thun its predecessors, und yet in practice would be cumbersome in some of §t8 provisions uiml duticient in othel A radieul difiewdty with cvery LHL yet pres scuted has beon the fallure to recozntzu the fact that the bounduries of dralnage districts cannot ho arbitrarily eatablished, Every drafunge dls- trict must fnclude, tlrst, THYE WIOLE AREA OF NATUIAL WATER-BIIRD for which a cammon vutlet has o rtificlally oddy ey second, all Tandds Iy beyond, I dratued ut alh wust becom trisutary to the sawe; und the size of the outhet st be determined by a careful esthingte of the mnount ¢t water which may bo coliccted from all these None of the bills thus far olfercd aro based upon this essentinl fuct, but all provide th; when u mnjority of laml-uwuers dusire to orgun. drafnuge district, they con secure thelr emd by sending o petitton to the Contuty Court, or County Commisstoners, or Highway Comuis- sloners, oecompauied with w mup of the fands ncluded in the provosed district,” No referenco i6 mads to the probubillty thut other lunds Iviug beyond those © focluded fn fhe petitlon vy shed thelr drafnnge through the samo” outlet, The proprietors Ids tauy hot at that times Le ready to siu o systew of artiliclal draluage, but the nutural drainago of thelr kiuls will be fucilitat- the construction of the outlet, mud the outlet must bo mede lasgo enough to carry oft ull the water thut comes L0 it, or else the lower Jands will bu looded by that which comes from above, When a petition s presentod for the forma- tlon of a drainage distrlct, therefore, it should in all casea be ACCOMPANIED BY A TLAN umwlnfi the whole nren of water shed which would then or aubseguentiy have to bs provided for by an artifieinl ottlet, und the assessment for thie construction of the work should be mado upon all within thatyaren, whether they sish {m- ediately to avall (i ||\?ulves of the nilvantages v offers or not. ‘This plan should be made by & competent engineer from actual surveys sud levels, nil Its accuracy properly certitied, It might, perhaps, s a butter way of coming at ity to require nubflnn from the " petitivners, but leave it to the Jourt, on the presentution of a petition from a certaln number of lund-own- rs, ta nuthorize a survey to determine the area of water-shed, which would pe tributary to the proposed outlet, and then sumimon u meoting of all interested to tako action on the matter, One or the other of theubove methods Is likely to liave preference over the ouly proper method, which is by the creation of A STATE NOARD OF PUBLIO WORRS, with the best avaflable engincering talent at its hend, nil under whose supervision u complete topogrraphical survey of the State would he maie, a comprehensive system of farm awd road druinage arranged, [n conformity with which every “drafnnge district conld “construct its works whenever o mnjorlty of its occu- puuts should think Uest.. There s no roon for hope that such a Moard conld now be created, yet no oue who considers the importance of the subject to the wealth, health, und welfura of the Stato whl fall tu per- ceive that other interests, which have been Hb- erally provided for, coult better have been dis- venaed with than this, 1t fs not uullkcl{ that o fow years' experience of the cost and difficulty of trylng to do the work in a chieaper way will forea’ the convietion that it would have been better to GO TO WONK SYSTEMATICALLY AT PIRST. The bill to which I have slluded provides thut “1f the proposed dralunge district fa situated In a county or countics under township orgauization, the petition shall be to the Contmlssioners of Higliways of the town or towns contaluing enld district; 1 in a connty or counties not under township orgunization, it slmllly be to the Board of County Commission- cra, A drainage district In many cascs would com- Erlau portluns ofgseveral counties, and the num- er o1 Comnifssioners (town or coanty) to whom the petition must be addressed, und whose united aetfon 18 required, would be so large and o disperacd ns to be unmanageable, On recelpt of the petition with proner guaran- tees against Joss in cuse of non-complisnce, the Commissloners are to employ an englncer to *make an uccurate survey of the propused work, substantially on the line orlines pruposed 1n satd petition,” ' ‘Thia belnir done, and the Commissioncrs he- ing entlstied that **a majority of the ndult p sons owning thy major pact_of the land in the propused district haveslgned the petition,” they atall declaro the district organlzed, und shall ap- point a tim@& and place of meeting to nssess damages nud benefits, on which oceaslon, iu com- pany with the engineer, who must bave lnlu maps nnd plans with him, thev shinll procced to view all Lhe tracts of laud which will be_niected, nnd estimate the proportionate benelits and dam- ages. TINS WILL DE NO SYALL WORK, and, If the improvements extend through two or more townships or countles, und the Com- missioners of each aro to take part in the discussion, the work will make slow propress. Dut the ond s not yet. * When the Commissioners shall have com- pleted thelr pssessment of damngzes and bene- tits, they shall give notice spectfying a time when atid a place where they will attend to make a report of thelr procerdings; and shall state In salu notice that they will apply to somo Justice of the Pence (i th Justice) nsking for a jury to assess the value of the land taken, and the damagzes nud benelits to such persuns ns have not aceepted the nssessments mads by sald Commissiuncrs,” ‘T tice then muat [ssue a renire dirceting a Constable to stnmon sfx disinterested per- #ous to appear at the time and olace designated for the purpose of making a new aescssment, il when they ot togother they aro to consider the pros amud cons 6f the ense, nud see if they van rench o more satisfactory conclusion than the Commisstoners had done, ‘o one who I3 inexperlenced fn the ways of circumlocution offices, It docs secm as if u great deal of fogenulty had been developed fn finding out ‘110w ¥oT 70 DO IT." Aud yet this bill fs much less cumbrous than its preducessors, wud furmers may flnd encour- azement 1o that fact to hope that a result will finally be reached which will coable them to at- tafn ‘thefr emd by some sfmple and direct method, and without necessity of resorting to such unwieldly machinery. 1 W, 8, CLEVELAND, INDIANA. TALK. apeclal Disnatch (o The Tridune. INpraNaroLts, Ind., Mareh 17,—The Sennte this morning ugreed to ndjourn next Monday, provided theQeneratund Specitic Appropriation, the Corgressional Apportionment, aud the Feo und Salury Lllls shalt have been passed and ao- proved, An attempt to include the Metropolitan Pollce bill was on funominous fallure. Iho Congressional Apportionment bill will not pass, as an {ndeflnite leave of absence was granted to Senatur Reeve, and, without his vote, even Lwenity-ive cannot bo mustered on polltieal measurcs, To prove the hollowuess of the Sen- nte's motlves in passing the above resolution, the whole duy was sgent In dulng nothing, I8 R e English ¥ Visits to Franoo. et New York Tunes, Queen Vietoria will leave London on the 25th of the presest month for Parls, ‘Fhie distancy between the two Capitals s not very groat, It nias heen done {n much less than ntue hours, and ean bo done resally In tens and yeu b 48 now n quarter of a_ ceutury sines Qneen Vietorln crossed the Channel and landed in Feance. It wos not untit sha lind been seventeen years on the throne that, accompnnied by the Prince Congort i her cldestson and daughter, she returned fn Pavis tho visit which Napoleon 11L had paid to her Majestyat Windsor Castle. Many Kinws of England, or'helrs to the crown thereof, ave made the fourney betwesn Lon- don uid Parls, by all kinds of inore or luss cire cuitous routes, sinco the days ot Agin- court, 'Tho child Ilenry VI was crowned King of Frunce fo Notre Dame, but was soon lgnomintunsly expelled from the realn which his father’s " valor bad won, Charles L, when Prince of Wales, passed through Paris on s ramuntie trin 1o Spaln. Charles 11, was an unwilling visitor to Pana during the Protector- ate. Ho had no money; bis mother, Henrl- atia Marla, was woll-nigh siarving av the Louyre, and thy Lrench Uovern- ment, to please Crotnwell, loat fow opportunis tlen of letting the exlled Stuurt know that his room was much to be prefelred to his compuny, Yet avother royal Stuart, bis brother, both as Duke of York und as Jumes Il the dlscrowned King of England, went from London to Paris In ways the most roumdubout. ‘Two titular Rings of Great Oriulu, Fronce, and ire- laml, dames (1. und Charles 115, called respectively the Old and the Young Pre- funuer, were deatined for o season Lo muke Paris thele abods when they bl much rather havo been ut 8t James' ar at Windsor, At St. CGepmalus the old Chievalier de St. Georpe held for awhile, his phantom court; and then as Charles Edward he quitted Parls with high hope, only to return ulter mauy adventures and misfortunes, ragged, forlorn, nod penuiless, By auud by “the Freueh Government made peace with England nue th Engiish Minlsters pressiugly denianded tho exoulafon of thu *Protended I'rince of Wales " fromi the duminions of the King of France, which the Chovaller bstlnately refused toquit. 8u they fouwd a short wav' for hlin, Allehthygs from his cavrlugo ono nleht at thn door of "the Opern, he was |selzed by o budy of armed poled, bound fund wind foot, 1Inm:¥mo o duniceon gt Vincennes, nnd a few duys witerward hurried to the froutier. No Eugitsh King or Prives of Wales has beeu in l’nhn sluco those tines untit the relgn of the present family, The threo (leorges never set eyes ou the tuwers of Nutre Daing; Georgo IV, passed throuizh Caluis on his way to his Hag seriun dominlons, but did not visit King Lou XVIUL at the Tullertes, and there {8 notbing o show that William 1V, ever saw Parls, i White or Iluck Tie * . New York Limes. Just now, there seems to be a differcuce of oplnlon here among men of society as to what constitutes full dress. Bowme contend that the whits cravat, so long in voguy, shoutd still be wor, while olhers tuld that the black cravat shunld now Gecupy its place, It may be futer- vating to persons concerned with this fuportaut mutter to know thut by the lateat udvices Purie {5 equutly divided on this polut, The black dress-cont reigns supreme there, now that the Presidont of e Franch Republe Is u elvillans but the color of the vravat causes much diseus- slon. Asu rule, young men prefer white, old men black; while In mavy of the wost ashion- abte clubs dn Purls the ‘black tle bas beey ex- clusively ndopted, capecially fur dinoer, New York cav follow the exumole If sho likes, 1t you want to be thought youug, adopt white; it You are willing to bocunsldered old, sdopt black; Which {s 2zotbor way of saylng thut whlte v:lll coutioue to provall, THE FIGHTING ALSTONS. A Carolina Family Whose Mem- bers Must All Die with Their Boots On. 0Old-Time Chivalry---Violent Deaths of the Alstons Throngh HMany Generations. “Col. Bob"” His Race. Corresoondence Wein York Herald. ATLANTA, Ga., March 14.—The kiliing of Col. Robert A. Alaton in this city on last Tucsday revives the memory of the most famous family probably of the vid-time chivalry days,—tho Nehting Alstons of Carollna. 'Ihe history of this audactous stramn of bload Is luterwoven with the history of thoss turbulent days when gentlemnen fought ut the drop of o hat, apd o slight movement of the pistol-finger was the nuswer (o all insult or fusinuatlon,—the clos of all argument. The Alstons Were gallant tnen of gentle blood and usually large fortunes. 'Ihey were free livers nud utterly reckless fighters, and fre- quently becamo involved in diflicultics that draned thelr catates with costs and forfeitures, Probably the best known of them, Col. Ben Alston, had several affairs of honor, and wound- ed bis antagonist every time that he went to the ficld. He was an finperlous, passionate man, and as cool under flre as he would be in his drawing-room. flis most notable ducl was with Ilayne, whoin be wounded™n the knec. On onc occasfon he was visiting In Augusta, when a gentlems, mistaking him for an ac- quaintonce, tapped him ncross the shoulder with o rlding-whip, Alstun wheelca s quickas lightuing, Tho geutleman apologized fo the most ample Lerms, Alston took the whip from hts hands, lashed him nacross the back, and then sald, ** Now, sir, your apology s accept- ed.,” Of course a meeting followed, It [s sald that Alston once fought a gentleman who dis- puted the age of somo wino of which Alston liad been bonsting, throwing somo ot the wine in his tace that ho milght get the full flavor, Col. Bob Alston came of the famlly kuown as TILE HALIFAX ALSTONS, Their cstates lay about Haltfax, N, C., and they dominated tltat whole sectfon for years. They were . enormously wealthy, and traveled from ono of their cstates to another In almost regal state. They had hundreds of slaves, and always traveled with a coach-and-fourand a small army of retainers, ‘Theinen were princely In thelr hablts of expense, and put the ** Code” above thie Bible, The women were hlgh-strung and spirited. Mrs. Bob Alston, the grandmother of the subject of this eketch, always carrled her own sheets nud pitlows with her when she tray- cled, nud o case of Joal-sugar. * Ihave known her,' savs Cul. Tom Howard, a conneetlon, * to put $100 on n cock-fight, with lier own birds, and then stand mul wateh the strugele to the death,”” Col. WIilis Alston, known as ** Honest Willls Alston, the granduncle of Lob Alston, fought a dozen duels in one winter, numberless uarrels having sprung from his assoults on o ofauiting Stato Tresurer. e Killed o men, and was himself frequently wounded. His favorite weapon was an old-tashfoned ** yoger,” which i a sort of blunderbuss, earryiug adouble- handful of buckshot, and of fearful exeentlos A volume might he filed with the bloody ex- plofts of thess two Dbroiliers, but 1 shall deal only with the sona of Col. Bob Alston, who wure the luter Alstons’ immediate ancestors, AN ALSTON MUST DIE WITIL IlIS BOOTS ON.» Old Col. Alston, who was himself killed fn o duel, hod threa sons—Willls, Gideon, and Augustus, Willls Alston was the father of Col. It. A, Alston, Lach of theso brothiers came to his denth by violence, or died, as the family tra- dition runs, *in lis bots.” Gldeon Alston, the first, of the three to dic, was killed in a peculiar manner. 118 brother Willis was in Nashville, on a lordly frole, when he beeatne very much an- amared of the lady who afterward married S8am Houston—n 3lss Trlble, [ believe. 1o puid lier asslduous ault forseveral months, nnd, while cugaged in this dallinnee, formed an attachment foru young Spoauist bov, named Pett, This boy whs friendless and poor, and Alston adopted bim, taking him home with him when he left Nashville. It seems that there was some feol- inr between Pelat and Qideon Alston; at any rate they left the house at night und went into the yartl for the purpose of *practiclug with thelr plstola.,” Gldeon was then w collegs Loy, having just turned sophomore in the State Uni- versity. In a few moments nfter be left the house with Pelat e was found Ju the yard, with o plstol-bullet through his brain. ielat said that he hiad shot himself aceldentally, and this Is all that was over known of the matter. A FLORIDA TRAGEDT, And now comes ous of the most remarkablo traizedies in the history of this scction so full of tracedles. ‘There was! llv!nf in Florida, then a primitive reglon, young Leleh Reed, o man of areat abllity, rentloness, and cournge. Ile was abmost idolized by the people of that Btate for Ins gallant services fu the flerco Indlan wars, having by his skill and feurlessness several thues saved the littlo cnlonf from destruction by the Seminoes and thelrallies. A story s told of him that witl Rlustrate his character and at the sapie thne show liow deheats was _the #ensy of personal honor at that time. Gen. Reed was a politieal oppaenent of Goy, Call's san, um} ut the satme time his personal fricnd, Politicat feellng ran_very high, wul on election- day n Mr. White ninde sone rellections upon the integrity of Gov, Call. Reed ut onco challonged hibm for'a duel, ‘Tlic men went, were both ues- perately wounded, and bebaved with great gale lantry, 1hzlnhn1. 1 bellove, with bowle- Kkuives, thelr left hunds behwg strapped torether, ~ Somu time alterwnrds lln-.'d becama dnvolved fn o alficuley with the Alstons, I yivo tho story as it was given me by Col. I A, Alston hlm-vfln ile said that nn art- fcto nppeared in o newsPaper reflecting on Gov. Call, Cul. Augustus Alston, who was the Jead- vr of the Call fuction, demanded the nams of the author, He waos furnished with the namg of Gen, Reed, who was the Jeader of the opoo- slte faction, Ile ut onco challenged Gen, Reed, and a meeting wis arranged. ‘Thie weapons se- Jeetedd were ** yuurers,'—this deadly weapon be- iz, 88 1 have aaid, o favorite with “the Alstons. Col, Alston was sttended by Mr. Keruon, his brothor-in-law, At the woril * One ™ Col. Al- ston’s run expladed, it being hafe-triggered. The contents were discharged into the air. (en, Reed, shinlng with dedlberation, fired, and Col, Alston dropued dead ju his tracks, 13 slster, a niost apfrited woman, was nearly crazed at the news of Lis death. 8ho sccured the lead that had killed hilia, und with her own hunds SUE MOLDED IT INTO NULLETS and sent them to bor brather, Willls Alston (the father of R. A. Alston), nud lm‘)lun.-d him to como und avenge the death of his brother, she wrote that hie had been murdered, sud the Alston's ndhered to this beliet, although the general statement s that Whic meeting was o fale one, Gen, Reed using uule' his just rleht in tielug ulter tha explosian of Alston's * yager,? Atany ruto it was very well understood that Wilits® Alston wauld " seck revenge for his - brather's deathy ns the family for gencrations T made ono of all thelr q.unrrcln. The first meetng between Alston snd Reed was dramatie, ‘The Legislature had just met, aud Reed had been elected Speaker,” 1le was o young man, of exceptional power and poputarlty, und his Itfe promlsed to be britiant and Hlustrlous. Ho had invited his fricnds to the wiual lecislative supper, wml the bapquel Was iu prozress, overything gofug mcrrll{ and well, Buddenly o tall Bgure, mutlled o a awinging clonk, and with o slouch hut drawn down, over the fuce, stalked through the open door, With- out a word It made for the huad ot 1ha tabls, where Gen. Reed was sittlng. lostautly eries ol SAlston! Alston! sroso und ran down the fable, At these cries the cloak was thrown back and Alstun was recoxulzed, Reed rose from lits seat, winl, whipping a |‘)I:lul out of s ocket, Jeveled b ot his wssailunt and tred. The ball struck Alston fu his uplifted hand, car- ryiuyg away two fingers, ‘Uhis did not stop i, vut,” brandlshing u bowie-knlfe, s clossd on Reed, Before the men could bo parted Reed was cutllm-ny soverely, und Alston, 1 helleva, wounded aguin, Alstun wus taken from the ruom, nud fur kome monthis nothuys mors was beard of the natter, Oue day Gen, Reed was walking down the streets of ‘Tallabassee when he waa fired upon by Col. Alston, The contents of one barrel of u shot-zuu was poured futo his shoulder, and, aa lie turtea to contront his us. sailant, the other load went into his neart. Ho fell und died, _Col, Alston’s fricnds suy that he Liad piven Reed wotice thut he jutended to kili him on alght, KILLED BY A MOD, ‘Willis Alston went to Tesas, where ho Nved for sonio thne. 1l settled near Brazorfa. There was u Dr. Btewart, who, for some redson or other, pursued the matter of the Reed kitllug, ungd used remarks derogatory to Alstou. Als- ton, hearing uf it, wrole the remarks down, and, meeting Stewart oa the pralrie one duy, aske Meets the Fate of +| untet death,” Dilinto say whethor or not he was reanonsib ls {or thoss renarks. Dr. Stewart toak the paper, and, while pretending to read it, put bis hand into his holsters and drew lifs’ platols, e Jumiped off his horse on the slde opnosite Als- ton nd fired into him, A desperate fight en- stied, in which Alston was shot twice i his atomach so cut that his powela protended. Ile Killed Stewart, hoswever, pouring o load of buck- sliot [nto i nfter he was prone upon the easth, Iie iras taken to jall almost doad, He was a Inmous fiddler, and, procuting n fiddle, sat thero “withs his entralls protruding,' as ha wrote to a friend, playlng the old tunes of his bovhooil. 11is body-servant galned ndmlission to his cell, wul-had geoll of ropy wrapped about his body. With this hio \vanzulnz to try and escape. Bud- denly nmob asenulted the fafl, overowered the Shierifl, broke fn the doors and seizel Col. Alston.” Ho was game to the last, und fiddled up tothe veryinstant he was sefzed, hls danntiess face lookbig fubl upon bis assailants. He twus tumbled into a blavket, tho enda twisted, nud hu was thea hastled out of the jall. Onee out in the street, hie wne thrown to the zround, still enveloped in the blanket, and a hundred bulluts were poured Into his bady. ‘Ihus died the fast of the **Halifax, Alstons,”” ‘Tlicy were a ree warkably athictlc aud handsomo race of men. Qldeun, who was killea by Pelat, Is alm:fu oited a8 the handsomest youngster of his day. Jt may be vald here, thut the young Castillan’ who killed hitn was pat Into the vavy as o Midship- man, and was drowned n - the” Mediterrancan, Willis Alston was a man of wonderful strenethi, He once shouldered a joad of 500 pounds dead welzht, and carrled [t through the strects of Snartn on a bet, Ila life was a atormy ane. 1Its feud with the Ingeahams, a brave and vow- eriul funuly, was the seusation of Georgia for the tiuo fx. lasted, 1o ulwnys carried his yager " with bim, und escaged the whole ditti. culty with only onc finger shot away. This feud was drnatized under the title of ** The Wateh," winl suld Jurgely, Lo authors were never dis- covered, or Ahey would have been kilted, ns the herocs of that duy did not tolerate the publica- tlon of thelr troubes, 'Ilic manuscript was dis- covered one mornlig in the yard of n fearless widow, wwho publisied It hierselt and sold it mak- ing a great deal of monuy by it. COL. ROBERT A, ALSTON, Col, R. A, Alston was n remarkeble man, Fllled with ail 1he chivalry, fearlessucse, nid hot-headedness of bis race; he diended, above 1l other thinws, meeting su end like his nuces- tors, It was not fear, for an Alston does not know what fear s, Jle was a8 brave & man os ever lived, In the anmy. us one of Morgan's Licutenauts, he was the most reckless aml dar- fugg of them all, 1le once aetually bad a biscult shot from between his teeth, but with a laugn ho continued s broakfast. bHe sald to vour correspontlent once: I huve a boy who is ahot- headed fellow Llmgell, and I lave taken my wife's hand In mine manv a time, und knelt witi her by his bedside, s prayed to Qud that 1 might bequeath to Wi a légruey of peaco amd a It was lis hli:heu ambition, as hie hns often sald, to break the old tradition thut “an Alston must die in his boots.” Onceaguin, I was witn him when he was goingz to the flud to weet Col. E. Y. Clarke, of a rival newspaper. The ¢hallenge had been lssued, rud ho wus just go- g to take the midught-tealn, Suddenly, he turned to a dark wall, und lqnnlufi his licad on his hund, prayed sloud that God night spare him the death his wconle hud aled, and allow him to live in peace till n quict death could clafm bim. 1le pever bolleved, howeyer, that this would Lu granted him. It mado hite gloomy to talk ol it, but to his friends hewoull say that he kuew his destiny was to e the Afston death,” He even had a super- stitfon that n cevtain man wus wolng to kil him, ‘I'here had never beenuny troudble between them, Dbut Alston alwaya said, **’Chav nian is my fate,” ‘I'lis man was his friend, and never beeame any- thing elze. Desplts these glovmy thoughts, Alston was o firm believer in the Code, Alter lio had jolned the Chureh, he still adhered to his bellef, * [t isa peacemaker,” hesaid. In South Carolina, where the Code stood above the State law, there never wasso quiet and decorous a community. 1n Charleston County ihere wus not o murder In elghteen years, and the files of the Churleaton Courier for’ twenty-tive vears do not show the use of the word **ftar? or “acoundrel,” or any similar cpitlieta a stugle tlme, ‘There wera no strect-fiulits or rows, and no nssnssinations. A high Code of Honor was cstablished, und 1t made cyen cowards brave men, He used to tell of o Corolina Judge (Mr. Pettigrew), who, having two men before him for trybue to dtzht a duel, said: ** Gentlemen, it will mim me an liour to write out these warranta, In the meantime theru Is a eteamer ot my whart :;ml. can tako you out of my jurlsdicilon, so hat TOU CAN COMPLETE YOUR WORK hefore T coutd hold vou.” Col, Alston never fouzht a duel bimself, though he tssued und ac- vepted several challenges, ‘The conservativo spirit of these latter days ulmost always scttles these matters without the cxchange of shots.' While Alston would have dled betore ho would have submitted to o disbonorable compromise, I know what stubborn herolsm it required to carry him fnto an aftaie of honor. He shrunk withi horror from such a test. His wholo lite was overshadowed by the memory of his nn- cestors nud thefr Dloody ends. ~ He wns o recognized authorlty on matters of the Code, and tas usunlly called into o1l prominent affalrs, hile bie was ‘tenncfous of tie honor of lils he never stickled for techniealltivs, and usually succceded fo adjusting the dlifer- ences. Dulfl onco was he second In a fatal moctlng, o attended young Mc(iraw, of Charleston, and loaded the pistol that gilled ‘Inbor, ‘Ihere had appeared in the Charleston Mercury a communication ussalllng Judea Me- Qruw, signed with a nom de vlume. Contrary to the usunl practice of demanding the nume of the autbor o& the_ offensive article, Alston demanded for McGraw satlsfaction ol PTavor and his two editorinl nesoclates, holding that the gravamen of thu ollense was In_the publication. ‘The namo of the author wns affered und declined, Tabor then announced himself responkthle, Mcliraw, through Alston, allenged the three editors, nam by Tabor thrat, ‘I'he parties went to the field, At tho second shot Tabor jumped stralght into the alr, fell upon his buck, shivercd nil died, MeGraw was unhurt, und the aifair stopped there. I8 LAST MEETING Alston hiad been engaged fu many porsonal encounters, but never had beer serlously hurt, Tt was horder for b to take wn {usinuatlon of fnsult thun fur almost anyone else; but la ulways ropressed his nnger, und, it possible, avolded trouble. flo was a flue talker, n genlal sentieman, of winning addeeas, and these spved iim [rom many ditticultics that his fmpetuoaity. woulll have led him {uto. lis favorite maxim, however, was the saying of Sir Boylo Roach, “Phe best way to avold danger 187to meet 1t plumply!™ and his boldness often sulilced where sxtemporlzing would hiaye falled. 1in the troubls that fed to his death, after he had been sent oif by Cox to ann himeclf, his tirst impulse Drmulunlnl wus to get a_ double-barrcled shotgun and go wnd ook Cox up and kil b, 'l!Iow thoroughly ncqualuted with the violent habite ot his enciny, und knew best how to meet them. IHo waos dissuaded from this course, howover, by Gov, Colguitt und uthers, Mo was very much depressed at the tdea that Cux was hintlng him down, und scemed to have u premonition of what was coming, He satd, throwlig himself luto a chair in the Tresaurer’s oilter, 1t (s awful hard to know that a man {s dogrging you, und thut you have got to kill him or be kilfed.” Instead of golng Off to arm him- sclf, he went into o restaurant to got some din- ner. He ate heartily, but was very much wor- ried. At length lis was persuaded to tako a pls- tol,—eetting one thit be had never scen Lefure, u selt-cocking six-shooter. When he entered the ‘Tressurer’s ollice, ho seemed rolieved to think Tio hiad found u retreat from the trouble, Nosort of personal fear moved hly\. but_the ldea of bloudshied scomud to sleken fitm, When he saw Cox enter and half-draw hia pistol at o man ovi- dently mistaken for him, ho sevmed to know thut his thne hind como, He zrew a shado valer, und his face hordened and prow stero, Jis firat word, though, wosun appeal, ** La not golng to havo any diffcully with you,” ho sald3 *you must Jet_ma alone,” Cox still persisted, how- ever, growhig angrice all the thme. At lengih, when he umrncd oack und closed the door aug said, 1 wlll force you, sir," ho sccmed 10 GIVE UP ALL'HOPH, Capt, John Nevins, his friend, who witnessed it all, descrives the scenes that followed: Col. Hob rose quiet and calm, just like be was golng to nake a speech, ‘Ihero was not o trewor about him, rlght,’ lic says; *we'll have it ont riht here, Aro yon armed{’ With Lhat he drew bis pistol, Cox's was alrcady out. threw myaelf between them uud safd, *No you don't, zentlemen? Cul, Bob thrust his hand over iy shoulder und fived, striking Cox in the mouth, At the samo thme Cox fired, aud the bull went through my whiskera, ‘Thelr hands nearly crossed s they fived, 1 still held _them apart, ‘They fired awain by me, und I then turned tlicm loose. Cox was Jwmping und dodg- ingg around, but’ Col, Bob ucver iwnoved, lle stood strajzht as o statue. After he had shoy Iis fourth shot hio turned bls, fuce to mo und smijled that peeullar swile he has, Ag bo turned ho pulled the trigeer ogaln und his plstol snapoed, 'Thea Cox tired agajn, und 1saw a red spot ovze aut fu Col. Bob's temple. Cox was eyl to cock his pratol uwalu wheu 1 jumped in und threw him back, cateblug Col. “Bob, Ho sauk ih my arms. When I turncd Cox was sit- ting i o chalr apittlng blood, with his_plstol on atable. Hesuwd, ‘I amadend man? Tout Col. Bob's shirt open.” State-Treasurer Rayuor saya that Alston put both bis bunds on Cox's breast, s sald, “Ed, for Uod’s sake, lot us have no alfliculty, I don’t want to kil) you; you shoutdu’t want to kill me,” THB ALSTON DESTINY, Alston bad n peculiarly wiuning aud hand- some face, and & semi-military manner. Ilo stoud like a statun while shooting, his band. pome face act nnd storn, with the old Alston fire hluhui from his cyes, turning his crect lig- ure by military hall-wheels to presont his side nlwnys 1o his shifting enomy. After he had been shot down, Mr, Eid Mercer, who knew of his forebodings about nlylu;i with+his boots on, sald, ** He shall not die’in_his hoots, by Qod 1" und tenderly took them off. The seene at the death bedskle was nffecting In the extremo. Only the most iutimate friends and the ‘"m"% wera admitted, a foree of police beating bacl the host that surzed against (he doors. “As. It ras evldent thut ha muat dic o a few moments, Mes. Alston asked Gov, Colquitt, who waa kitealiuge by tha bedside, und who was dovotodiy attached to the dying man, to pray, With a voice broken with emotfon, holding Alston's hand, the (overnor prayed aloud, white every head n the room was bowed and every every aye streamed with tears, And thus, without o shudder, with hardly a nosn, his facs peaceful wid half- smiling, bodled in his bed ; his wife and friends about him, prayees golng to tiod with hls fleet~ Iz soul, tnd only the ullulllf' blue-red hwole in his temple to tell thnt the ol Alston desting had ayertaken him, and that ho had leté the old Alston beritage to his son, Ite leavés two brothers,—one n prominent Alabamian, and the other Nving on his place,— both most excellent woatlemen, o leaves o wite and four children,—a devoted wnd- ndmir- avle family, They have a flus plantation; but thae noble generosity of Col. Alaton’s )ife leaves Mtele elee, He was'a trie man, u gallant friend, arisingstaternan, The whote eity und thousatuls of frlends throughout the Unlon mourn his deatli, Cox is getting better, but will be sent to jall to awalt hia trial, THE RAILROADS. GENERAL TICKILY AND IPASSENGER AGENTS. Conslderable worlc was dono at the first day's sesefon of the General Ticket and Passeuger Arents' Couventlon, whichmet in New York last Friday. Business wos beeun by the election of 8. G, Boylston, of the Savannah & Charleston Railroad, as Preslient for the ensulng year, and Mr. Wilifam A, Thrall, of the Chicago & North- western Rallroad, as Viee-President for the same time, A long debate was brought up by the reslgnation of Mr, Samuet Powet], of the Baltl- more & Ohio Raflroad, ns Becretary of the Assoclation. Mr. Powell was finally prevalled upon to withdraw his resignation, and he was re-clected. Mr. J. It Macmerdo, of the Richmond & Danville Railrond, was elected o member of the Executive Committee in placa of Mr. 8 W. Cummings, whose term of office has expired. Mr. 1, B, Shattuc, of the Atlan- the & Great Western Rafirond, delivered the an- nual address, The speaker’s paper was upon the value of fixed principles and rules in a do- liberative body. 1t was resolved that the next semi-annual con- ventlon should be held tn Now York on the 12th of September. Mr. W. A, Thrall, from tha Committeo ap- pointed at the Chicago meeting to prepare a re- port oa the hest forin of coupon tickets, report- ed that they bad been unable to come tonny concluslon, ntd his request that the Commitieo ba dischurired was acceded to. The question of stop-over peivileges then came up,, but the Executive Comuittes reported thut they had beeu unable to prepare a report on the subject. The whole mntter was indefinjtely postponed. Gen. K, B, . Myers, from the Commitico of Twenty appolnted under outhority of a resolu- tion adopted in Caleago lust fall, then submit- ted a report, which empowered 1lie Committes to consider what chauges, if any, of organjza- tion nre neeessury to render this Assoclation of greater permancit valuo to the passenger trans- portation intereats of the United Srates und Canada. Mr. Myers stated that the report pre- sented was the result of two daya of hard work on the part of the Committee, und cmbraced material’ changes to the constitution und (hy- Inwa, the most finportant of which was the for- mation for six years of a Committeg on Precedents, to declde questions of order und ‘mppeal. Other alterations provide for changzing the name of the organiza- tlon from the “Gencral Tleket und Passenzer Azents’ Assuciation* to that of the * Natlonal Association of General Passenger dnd Ticket Agenta”; also thut specinl representatives shall be admitted to the deliberations of the Cod- ventlon on aday designated, and that the semi- sunual meetings shall be held elther at New 't Chicago, Loufsville, or St. Loulss that the annual election of ofllcera shall Ly held at thu apring mecting, Theso nmendmonts to the constitution were taken un seriattm, "I'he Convention Is expected to get through its work to-day. TENNSYLVANIA, Snectal Dlspatch to The Tribune, PrmApzLents, March 17,—The Finance Committeo of the Pennsylvania Raflroad, which mnde a sottlement of the Anspach mattor, bas begun an fnquiry into the transaction fn accord- anco with the {nstruction from the stockhold- ers. Anspach was befors them to-duy for hours, and reiterated his statement that Vice- President Smith ot two bonds of the Pennsyl- voala Canal Company on account of the pur- chaso of the Nicholas Ropes tract of lund. Smith has declined 0 say any- thing untl ho hes an opportunity of golng before the Board, but scems very easy fu bis mind. Anspach adinlts thut the recelpts from 8mith wore slgncd by him s Vice-Irest- dent of the Compavy. ‘e matter is further complicated by a statement from Rhonds, deny- fug Parker's statement that ho bud ever olfered to sell for less than 840,000, and that he was not o porty to any bargain or with nuy ono by which the price was to bo (ucreased on aceount of the corporation being the purchaser, Roberts, nn old engincer und surveyor, who fs spoken of contemptuously In the churges made by Paricer, a8 o mnn wiillig to lucate coal where- ever ho was pald for 1t, also rushes futo print in 8 most snvage manver, and pleads his welle carned reputation fn the profession; also re- peating tho statement that the lawd 18 valuable, und that there 18 cosl on it in great abuudance. ‘F'ho Finance Committee will' continuu the in- vestigation. ILANSAS PACIFIC. ' vectal Disnatch to The Tribune. 0umAmA, Neb,, March 17.—It Is stuted on good authority that, although the Uunlon Pucific hns nssumed genoral management and control of the Kausas Vacific, the goneral oflices of the Iatter rond will not hu taken to Omaha, but ro- wain at Kansas City. fhe Union Pacifle will this geason extend tho 8t. Joe & Denver frum Hustings to Grand Island, thus glving them through connections East via 8t. Joe, ahd also wlm. Louls, over the lines contro)led by them- selves, JTEMS, . Tho new summer tariff to Miasissipol River polats, which woes {nto effect March 20, 1879, bias just been published. The new rntes are about 80 per ceat below thoso in forew during the winter. a Mr. Thomas J. Anderson has been appolnted Genoral Agant of the Atehison, Topeka & Santa Fe Rafiroad, at Denver, Cal. o will have cspcial chargo of the passenger busiuess of this Cumpony in Colorado und the torritory west and south of this State, and of the frelght business in Colorado and territory north and west of Tucblo und Canon City. Mr. F. Broughton, Geueral Manager, and G. 1. Bpriggs, General Freight Agent, of the Great Western Railrond ol Canada, Alfred White, asslstant to the General Manager, und ‘T, Dandy, Asslstant Goneral Frelght Agent of the Detroit & Milwaukee, which I8 now a branch of the tireat Western, weso in sceslon at the Com. pany’s ofllee {n the Buperfor Block all day yes- terdny, making arrngement lor the sumuer traftie over thelr tinca, ~‘Thoy all left tor Detrolt on the 0 oclock train of the Michizun Centrat last evening. ‘Tho East-bound freleht troubles sro gctting moro lntensiied eyery dn?‘, und rates oro stl wotng downward, It was claimed yesterday that the Pittsbure & Fort Woyno Rallroad bad ye- duced tho rates on grain o 15 cents per 100 pounds from Chicago to New York. ‘The causo assizned for this action was that the Lake Shure & Michigan Southern Railroad liad mude during the last tew days contracts for foreign business on the above basls, The ahippers uro taking advantage of the orevailing low rutes, and thy roads huve all the business they can possibly do, 1t {s no object for shippers nt present towalt for the oveuing of uavigation, for the vessela witl not bu able to moke botter rates than sro now charged by the rallroads. Thé General Manogers and General Frelght Agents of the roads belouging to the Bouth- western Rallway Association will leava for St. Louls to-day, to attend the regular monthly meoting of 1he Assoclatlon, which will bo beld there to-morrow, ‘Ting meeting will - Lo of mora thon ordinary lwportavce, as from its ac- tlon will depend tiie further continuancs of the Wisconsin River pool. Owing to tlic extension of tho Chicago & Alton to Kansas City, uird the consoquent chaoge in the routs by the i Louls, Kausas Uity & Northern, thero will be neces- sitated a redivislon of the percentages allop to the various ronds. It will rcqlllIFn lunll?v‘;:a to conciliate the varloua conficting intecasts, CASUALTIES, AN UNTORTUNATE MAN, Spectal Dispateh to The Tridune, JanzsvitLe, Wis, March 17.—Last T} James Ityan, a farmer llving ncar llmm‘“ Rock County, cama to this city on business, and atarted homo in tho evening, When -bum.' two miles from homa he called ot a fariner's hoys, complalning that his hiead troubled bl and h; could not tell the way home. A boy was gony with liim, who accompanied him some distang, and then left bim, Ityan dld not reach ho = und aearels was mado for him. Yestorday aftes, noon bis budy was found in the edee of o mf]‘l‘ pond neac Ilunover, o bad cvidently lost by way und failea Into the water, Whei found 13 was lying on IS back, his head una chest abo, N water, aud hore the nppearance of having lmuv; to death, 1iis braln bad troubled for some years, gl Hintat Himte snover, POISONED, Hpectal Dispateh (o The Tribune. TeaRe 1AvTs, Morch 17.—Yesterday a family nanied Stanley, lving In Sugar Creek Towngh; J nea here, were all dangerously pofsoned bypl' wnistake in coulthys n poisonous plant fn el foal, ‘The father, Thomas Stanley, ‘I othicrs, #ix in number, nx:v]u'gf l‘l’l[.Cd toduy, COLLISTON. 1lAnRispunG, Pu, Moreh 17.~Two frefgy trains on the Northern Central Rellroad came n colliston this moruing near Cumnberland, Doty coglnes wero wrecked and thirty cars thrawn nto the Susquehnnna River. Charles Delrunay, fireman, had o leg torn off, One nlluhlly‘lujum}. i conductor way KILLED AT LAST, Special Dirvateh to The Tribune, INDIANAPOLIS, March 1%.—John 8. Kimbay, for forty years n railroader, was run over nn& cut In two on the ludianapolls, Bloomingion & Western Railway Lhis morning. ikl 5 . e loaves 4 MINE ACCIDENT,. Deapwoon, March 17.—~Thomos Holton, fon meely of 8Sloux Clty, yesterday fell fifty fest down n shait in the Ilomestake Mi tostantly kilied, ljiacs v POOR IIRAM CURTIS, Speciat Disvatch to The Tribune. JangsviLLs, Wis,, March 17.—Ilram Curtls, the brakeman who was run over at Barrington Ingt weels, died from the effects of hi this morning. of his Injuries THE MENARD ROBBERY, Capturo of Joseph Gorman, John Jaseph Gorman, the partner of Joseph Bertrand fu the beld robbery attempted and partlally earricd out Inst Wednesaay inorning at the house of Mr. T. Menard, No. 80 Wiathrop place, was yesterduy turned over to the pollcs by his father, who ia bridge-tender at Adams street, aud gave $600 vall for trial on the 27th, ‘The young man states that at about 8 o'clock last Wednesduy morning Bertrand camo to him while he was worklng with his father atthe bridge, and asked him to take a ride. Hedid 80, "Fhiey went flrst to the Palmer House, whers Bertrand got a satenel for which he bad a check, Then they hud o “awls? of whisky out of & bottle which his companlon had provided, At the corner of Franklin and Jackson streets they had snother “swig."” Crossing Ifarrison stroet Lridge, they drank the bottledry, but replentshed it at a saloon on the corner of Clinton street. Bertrand then asked him it he would 1lko to play a Joke upon an old Erench lady, his aunt, and Gorman sald ho did ot care. Then ho asked lim if he would like to put on a mask, and Gorman says he objected. However, bo flunlly consented, and the two planned the roh- bery. How (b was oxecuted has nlready been publishied. After the housa had been surround- cd by the neighbors Bertrand left by the reawr door, saying thoy would shoot whoever dared to stop thein, They ran ncross tho. praire, pur- sned by tho crowd, nud did not stop until they nsaloon on Sixteenth strect, sml thoy went to Gram! Crossing, and st the this polnt Bertrand let Gorman kuow whata dupo he had mnde of hun, Ie told bim that it was not only his Inteatlon Lo scarc his sunt but to actually rob her, and thiat he had made full preparntions when leaving town for a pro- tracted stoy i Indiana, Lo wanted Gorman to o with hiny, but the latter refused, Beriraud cureed him, but fiually shiared with him $3 in cash, and thy two put up for the night at the hotel. I tha morning Bertrand started for Indluga, and Gorman came to a relative’s bouse on Bixteonth strect, and osked to nilowed to rewmin thera for 8 few days, a8 ho bad ol into some troublo In towi, - Bunuday ho seat word to s fatber where he was concealed, nnd the latter promptly notifled the police, and caused his ar- vest, (onnnn says o is perfectly willine to stanud up to lns punishinent, only he nilbtaing 1hat hu was oot so much to blame as might ap pear. ——— OBITUARY, Montaourry, Aln, March 17.—Ex-United States Senator George Goldthwalto died suds denly yesterdoy, Greciar Dispatch (o The Tridune. MILwAUKLE, Wis., March 17.—Mrs. Allce Tobe, Knlghit, wile of Lieut. Austin J, Knleht, Ubfte Stutes navy, und daughior of Mrs. Gov. Lud: Ington, died ot a lats hour last night. ool In Afrlean Denertaein Itgyptinn Avmy OF ficor's Tallc Beforo tho Amerlcan Qeos graphleal Soclety. Newo York Times, Yureh 13, Gen, R, E, Colston, late'of the general stafly Egyotiau army, delivered a lecturo Jast injgat Chickering Hall before o very lur: cnthusiastic audlence on * Lifo Inthe and Western Ueserts of Egypt and the dan.” The lecturs was glven unds nusplees of the Aicrienn Geozraphical Soctet? ‘(ien, Colston sald that the flrst thine to e ob- tained befora entering a land which was witlout rivers, cveeks, rivaluts, or springs was & good supply of water, which in primitive thoes Was caveled i wontekine, uud was suspe from the camel’s pacic saddles, [t was some times necessury to draw water from wolls 20 feut deep, by meaus of a leather poueh attacli to u rope, und on amarch o guard was lnlucml ayer the water bothday mnd nfght. Ges, Colstod spoko nt length conceriing the manuer uf loco- motion fu tho desert by means of camels, ‘Tlie burden camel corried o toad of 400 pounds, an would never travel fuster thuu u watk, urata rato of nhout two und a half miles an houte The riding camel or dromedary, which (‘UTIP; sponded 10 the saddlo horse, would travel o ho rats of five miles an hour, provided he was uever afluwed Lo walk, und could uceuslods i covorn_distanco of 100 milos & duy. Camcd liye on almost’ nothing, nnd can exist, even ] the . heat of sumwmer, for fivo or six dl‘)" wittiout water. ‘fho Bedoulns eat thelr calnc when they bave no further use for g;fl 'These Bedouing were probably of a purer I:“_ than any of the other tribes, ns they were e seondants of the Ishmnolltes who crossed '!f L Arublu years beforo the Chrlstiun Era. M prinelpal tribes in the Enstera desert werd dlw Absbden und Bishureens, who aro the mn?’ i lenated by Pliny 1000 years ago as Ot ‘nu; “Flietr color rangzes from_bronze Lo biack, e thelr teatures ure stralgbt i nqulling, llh&bL bost Eigyptiun Lypes, und thefr hale 18 Mfl"‘ ‘They ure ubove medlum hight uml’ o formed, snd somo of thelr “young o are very handsome. Thelr Bhelih, u‘n tules over nearly 70,000 people, traces Im;_ b lineuge to o period befors th days Sock, Prophet, und s 8 ;nun of vest woalth '".'m.-ni camels, horscs, silver, wnd gold, ‘Ihe it} Uen, Coloton said, wos divided nto two DTG the wilderness, in which were fouud lru"”l’ vegetation, the stmour, which was “hl 4 barreu and {tute of yeyotable lllc.)“ e atmour, durlyg the lieat of summen Ill 10 mometer was often known to riso ae MF Naied degrees, Gen, Calston's lecturo was Hlus ot by means of forty stercopticon yiews, uiostly from orfginal druwiugs, e ———— How Callfurnis Farmors !!n\'nl“h'nln. San Francteen gulletin, Marcho. The farers e Woolbrilgo Vave giret up drilling fu thelr gratn, Some mlrjw urtd cast, n the time-nonored way. (] neré‘“" among thetn not u few of tho most nnmlr o furmers, viz a sced-sawer behind thelr b cmh‘ such a ;vn tlm‘;, [ hl;l:g:lhgh.;:'y. m:):rlmx::“ il to ten {nches deop, ¥ yheat! fun‘n In thme to, ml:'uugnt by sbout two nches ") er 1 depth of the lap of the furrows. 1:: m“';h targo Uelds near Woodbridge B8 been treated In this way, uud it ws U pretticst sight fnoglnable. ‘ihe I“"dme tanded (n struight lines across the flel l.“ 4 and fu o fine state of growth. In ordlu T row aous it Is not considered neCessary wumum' after sowing fu this way If it 13 on® fallowed laud