Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, April 2, 1879, Page 9

FORTY PER CENT. ls What the Illinois Railroads Make at the. State Valuation ; - That Besides Buying Houses and Lands Out of “ Operating Ex- penses,”? The Chicago & Northwestern Goos as High as 70 Per Cent in One Instance. Astounding Proportions of tho Sum Tteally Duc the Stato Every Years Have the Big Corporations Cor- railed the Board of Equalization ? Ingonious Features of a Bill to Seoure the Taxes which Railroads Ought to Pay, Bpectat Dispatch to The Tribtine. Sprixcvie.n, U1, April 1—It has long been ‘the sv-called State Board of, Equalization. hae not performed its duties In {euch a manner ag to conduce to the best inter- Aeste of the people at fare. Whether this rc- ew fs to bo attributed tu the defects in the {Revenue laws of the Stato, or tothe rales adont- ed by the Board, or tu the fact that o majority {/of its members are owned, body and soul, by the <Jgrent corporations, 1s still au open question, {During the present acssion of the Legistature, 4 ere has buen considerable quict investigation “nto the complatnts made against. the practical workings of ‘the system of “equalization” adopted by this Board, and some very sigaitl- , cant facts haye been developed. a ‘TH HLAILNOADS OP ILLINOIS 1 comprise one of its greatest interests, and the ¥ manner in whlch tlicy are taxed hns been the subject of andless discussion. ‘The vexed ques- tion of bow capital stock shall be vated and ” agsessed hos puzzled the ablest tegisintors, ant all the methods thus far adopted have proved unsatisfactory elther to the corporations or the ,Deople. It is not atall surpriaing that these , Breat corporations, which can afford to and do + sceure the services of the abicst leqal talent In {the country, shonld, by ‘poollng their Issucu,” + be enabled to adyanco their own interests st 4 the expense of the people, even without resort- ‘ing to auy corrupting influences. THERE 18 NOW PENDING In the House a. bill which proposes to make a ; radical change in the method by which the taxa- ble yaluo of the capital stock and franchises of the railroad corporations of the State ebal) be s arrived at, und which seome to promise results most satisfactory to the people. Although the Jb and the facts presented by Its advacates have attracted pencral attention among the ¥ members, it has not yet come before the j House for discussion, and not a word bos been sald or published in regard to Sts real objects. This bill was introduced by Col. W. L, Gross, of Sangamon, und is Known fee Iouse bl! 579. It proposes ‘scyeral ameud- ments to the Revenue law, one of which fs» the {substitution of the Governor, Scerctary of State, ‘4 Auditor, and Attorney-General for the present “+ Btate Board of Equalization, This proposition ja before tho Logislature in other shapes, and will doubtless be carofully considered, ‘ + TIE NEXT CHANGE Sys in the returns required tobe made to the uditor by.all the railroad corporations doing : siness in the State, [n adaltion to the pres- ent schedules the bili proposes to require’ o sworn atatement showing: 1, The total yrows carnings or-Income of tha road witlin the Stato of Illinois for the year . ending on the Bist day of Decomber then next preceding, 2. All the exponses fvcurred in operating and maintaining the road, and the equipment there- .. Of dn the Stato of Iinots duriug the same tine, including amounts paid for salaries of officers - and agents, -and wages of employes, amuunta ~ paid for repatra ‘and renewal of track, feneca, _ bridges, and buildings, Jocomotives and cars shop machinery and tools, oflice, shop, and tran aupplies, attorneys’ fees, costa ot sults, taxes, injuries to passengers aud other persuns, a Gamoges to and losses of freizbt and baggage, Jnjurfes to cattle and. stack, Injuries to proper- . ty by fro, and all other operating expenses necessary to be shown in order to detcriniue the + bet carnings or income of the road, 3, The amount of net carnings or income, 4. The amount expended In this State during the same time in purchase of real estate, unde and lots, und for improvements and betterments thereon, for construction of depots, shops, und other buildings, principal and interest on bonds and indebtedness, dividends on stock, purchnse of other Mnes of road, construction of new track, and alf other expenses rot property charge alle us operating expenses. » PANT OF TIS INFOIMATIO! va {g required of tho roads by the present Iaw, but * this bill proposes to make the requirements ‘mitch more searching, the particular object almed at belug to prevent the Irauds now ex- tenetvely practiced by charging up to operating expenses expenditures fur purposes mentioned inthe fourth section above given, It will bo readily * perceived that this provision is of the utmost importance in securing accurate -tnformation as + to the actual net curnings of any one of the great rallronds, Without such facts it ts im- sible to determine how much of the edrn- 'é hove been buried up in improvements of varlous kinds, which are actually paid for out of the net carnings, Juat as much us are dividenda, + and which are as properly chargeablo to the ine come accoant and as justly subject to taxation, With such Information In ‘ts possession, the Btate Board of Equalization, under ite present. rules, {f anxious to perform tts duties honest! and intelligently, would arrive at resuita much more sutisfactory to the people nnd much moro expensive to the railroad companies. But the bill under consideration proposes un cutircly now mothod for arriving at the tuxable value of ‘tho capital stock and franchises of the rattroad vorporations, which {9 its muin feature. It is proposed to insert between Secs, 169 unt 110, of “An act for the usseesment of property and for the levy and collection of taxes," approved March 0, 1872, A NEW SECTION, to bo rumbered 10034, and to read as follows: Sec, 10043, The valuation and assessment of the capital stock, including the franchiee, of rall- road companies shall be determjned by sald Board 4n tho manner following, viz: ‘The net onnual earnings ar incoms of each railroad company shalt be taken ow being a certain porcentage on the ac- tnal valne of tho prspey and franchises repre- wented by the capital stuck thereof; thu xctual rate of much porcentags shatl be fixed upon, and the principal aum which would produce the amount of Buch earnings or income at euch rate per -cent shall be huld to be the truo cash valuv of such capltalatocks #vovided, that the sume rate Per cent shall apply to each and cyery railroad _ Company for the same year's valuation and ouicas~ “ment. ‘The valuation'ao found shall bo taken ax the ouacssod valuation of the capital stock, and tho #amo shall be equalized by the Board, and distrlb- ure ee seyoral epantles towns, cities, vile 2 Mey and dlatetets tn the same manner nuw pro ' TUB PURPOBE OF THIS METHOD ‘fa to secure an equitable taxation of all tho roads. Under the present system, the largoand prosierous Corporations appoar to own the -Blate Board of Equallzation, ani escape a large - portion of thu burdens they should justly bear, ‘While the smaller roads, which are ‘without in- coms or *fufluence, und are operated ot au actual toa, aro loaded down with taxes, the balance of the amount evaded by’ the big roads boing imposed upon the other property of the State. ‘The operation of the present methods of taxing the “tanutble property " {6 bellevea to ba os nearly satisfactory os possible, uud the bill does not propose to futerfere with or medily itin guy Way. ‘Thoonly change la in thy method pf us- certalning the taxable yuluo of the capital stock and trauchisc. It ts yery evident that tho capt tal stock and franchise of a bankrupt road, on which the recefpts de not equal the opurating expenses, much jess help to pa ite indebted: ‘Leas, are absolutely valueless, and yet there are several roads {nu tha State in thts condition Nine Ore heavily taxed on their capital stock, the valuv of which the State Board ascertained by Soins fnscrutable measis. The workings of thy rule printed abaye, which the UIl proposes to lay down for the govera- juent of the State Bourd of Equalization {un this matter, can beat be uuderstuud by iilustration; The Board would have ng diserctlon except in Getermining the rato percent upon whieh the taxable yalite of the capital atoek depends. ‘The Jower tla percentage the higher would be the tnx. Itwas helleyerl by the advocates of this bil that, as the value of money and all properly fluctuated from year to year, it would not be Just to fx ula percentage within esst-tron Iinfts, Jt Js not probable Uiut on an average the industriat and agricultural interests of the State realize 5 por cent por anoum, net, on the Amounts Treated and expended. But, tn order that no iajusticy Le done, let it te asaumed that the railrgads of the State onght to be allowed 10 per. cent on thelr investments, which obyi- ously gives them . 1 A DRCIDED ADVANTAGE A over any other class of lusincss or tndustry. Then, Tipouse Unatthe Podunk & Springfield Ratlroad Company was reported by the locat Assessors of th unties through which tts ine rung to possess £500,000 worth of tangible prop- orty. ‘The sworn returns mede by tts officers showy its actual net earnings Inst year to havo Deen $200,000. Ten per cent having heen agreed upot as the rate, “the true cash value” of cap- ital stock aml franchise of the road 16 found to be $2,000,000, ‘The State rate for purposes of taxa- tion [sf0 percent of this, which would give 000,000. Now deduct therefroin the value of the “tangible property,’ und the assessed vale uation of the capital stock und franchise Is fixed nt $500,000, the taxes upon which are to bo dla. tributedamong the goveral counties, cte., in proportion t tho mileage of the rond in cach. rhe value of the tangible proverty is deducted, because the taxes thercon beloug to the coun ties in whieh it fs assersed. Thetheoryof the Inw isthat the assessed yaluc of the tangible property represents its Intrinsic yale, what it would eell for whether the road waa running or not. A large proportion of the £500,000, In'the ense supposed, might be repre: sented by the Company's niachine shops, located. hs one county, while the adjoluing county per- haps would not Juatly bo entitled to any taxes except upon the track and {ts share of the enpitnl” etock. Tine explains why the yaluy of thu'tangtble property is deducted fn the calculation. The bil! further provides thut the yate of per cent agreed upon shall apply equally to all roads, and this WOULD URLIEVE THE HANKHUPT ROADS from their uojust pronorion of the burden, In fact, the rule Infd down iti the bill was originally devised to benefit sume of these struvellig roads without any purpose of Interfering with the larger corporations, But when the rule came to be applifen to sume of these other roads, the re- sults were absolutely startling, and it oecame clear. thut the great rafiroud corporations of the State werd evading the lorger part of their share of the burilens of taxation, and Snercasing the taxes upot all other interests propurtionately, Tow thls has been accomplished it will bo prover to inquire in due.time, When this bill was brought up in the House Revenue Cominit- tee, und the objects and effocta of the proposed rule had been fully explained to the members of the Committee. tt was tnauitonsly indorsed, The ‘eeutinent of the Comimitteo was one of surprise that no one had hit upon this rule before. Its simplicity and the eqnal justice extended to all by its operation commended it at once to every niember of the Committoa, -At this time the friends of the bili submitted to the Committea some caroful- ly-propared tables, showing how cach rallroad in the State would be affectcd by the pussage of this bhil. © ‘The total value of the rallroad property of the Stato last, year was agsessed by the State Board of Equalieation at, io round numbers, §10,- 5000. TNE UTTER INADEQUACY of such a Valuation is demonstrated by the fact that, {f the entire railroad property of Ilinols was worth but $40,600,000 last. year, the reports of the, net. carnings of all the roads combined show that the companica made an average profit of pearly 40 per cent on the Stnto valuation. And tine, too, after covery expense has heen patd, Including the gnlaries of uit employes and all operating expenses, If,other property was similarly assessed, thero would bo ne ground for complaint. But what farmer can show a net profit of 40 per cent on the assessed valtc of bis property'Inst year, after paying taxes and all other expenses, and without allowing Limevl£ aud his family any salariest CHICAGO & ALTON. Take four of the largest ronds in the State, and seo how tlifs proposed rule would have al- fected them lust year. ‘The net carnines of the Chicago & Alton'in Minois were $2,107,037, At 10 per cent this would give $21,070,070 na the eum upon which: the net carnings equul 10 per cent: or; {u other words, the actual value of the capital stock: and franchise of the Company. Valf of this, the State rate, would be §10,534,- 085, or the equalized value of the property for purposes of taxation. Now, how near to this amount did the State Board comef ‘They “equalized? the value of this spleudid prop: erty ut $5,078,027, and the Company carned 41.5 percent upon the amount on which they were taxed! Tn 1877, the carnings of the same road in Illl- nols wero reported at $1,810,740. Under the proposed rule they should have been assessed on 20,209,760 as the vatue of ther capital stock for purpuaes of taxution, while the “equalized value fixed by the State Dourd was but §5,480,- 187, and they earned B48 por cout on thelr equalized. valuation, In 1877 the firures wero: Net earnings in Tnols, $1,841,950; inaleated — value on which the net earnings equal 10 per cent, $18,412,600; 40° per cont of indfeated value, $1,208,2505 cqualized value determined by the State Hourd, $5,778,0005 rato per cent earucd on equalized yalue, 1.8, CHICAGO & NORTAWRSTERN, The netoarnings of the Chicago & North- western allroad in INinols Jost year wos re- ported at 84,204,727. Making the same cateula- tion, we find that 50 per cent of the indicated value would bo $11,823,095, while the; * equal- (zed ® valuation as determined by the State Bourd was the trifling sum of $3,220,055, thus allowing the Company to realize te enormuny percentage of 70.1 per cent upon the amount on which it was taxed, Ln 1877 and 1870 the figures were as follows: 1870, 1877. Net carnings in Wlinola.$ 1,845,801 § 1,080, 58:3 Indicated value of,capl+ tal atock... 18.48,(110 10,805,890. Fifty per cont 0,220,105, Obs Equalized yaluo 3,003,044 Kato carned un equalt: od valueees. vee 51.2 Cy Be & Q Toke next the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Raflroad. Ite carnings fn {tinols Inst year are reported at $4,143,517, Under the proposed rulo it would bays deen taxed on $20,717,735, us the vatue of its capital stock and franchise, Te was taxed on $8,924,580, carning the anuy per centof 46.8 on the amount on which It was tuxed, Tor the two preceding years the flures in the caso of the C., B, & Q, are as follows: 1878, 1877, Not earnings in Mltnots, «4. 6. 3 4,998,718.00 $ 3,705,753.00 Indleatea value of capital atock,.. 43,387,180.00 97,057, 690,00 Fifiy: per cant’ of sano + 21,003,600,00 18, 888,705.00 Equal + 10,050,000,00 9,434, 480, 00 Rate carned iy ° equalized value, 49,1 23,8 CHICAGO & ROCK ISLAND, Let us also consider the case of the Chicagt Rock Island & Pacitic Ruilrond. — Ita not ear Jugs in linols fast year were 81,224,020, Indlcat- ing the yalue of its carla stock und trancniaa at $12,219,200, ly should have been taxed. thereon tw the sumot 30,124,015, but only bud to pay on 33,820,005, earning 82 por cent on the amount on which ft was taxed. Sliniler-ealeula- tions for tie two preceding years show the tol- Towing resnltes ‘3 3870. 1877. Net carninge in. : Tht § 1,057,821.00 $ 2,085, 198,00 10, 578,240.00 20,851,380.00 alos Seer oe vee 8, 280,120,009 10,426, 190.00 Equalized ¥: 31795,000,00 8,023,073.00 Tate carned on Cqualized value 445 87.5 GOING TO THE OTHER EXTREME, it is found that, in order to partially make up for such a yast deficiency, some of thy emul roads are assessed largely in ea of what 18 equitable aud just. ‘Take tha case of the Cutro & St. Louis, Tho taxable value of its capital atock as fuulcated by its nel earnings Inat year nder the propogad rule would bo $21,080, while it was taxed on 820,120, earning 13g per centan this amount. ‘There ty an auzing ant sige miticunt difference between this percentage and that allowed to the wealthy and *intiuentiol? corporations like those above mentioned. Purautng the same Ine of investigation, and comparing the tables showing the imanuer In wnichall the roads of tho State would have been affected jest year by the rale proposed, aud the results are olmost astounding Tt should Le borve in nilnd that th all these ealeula- tlons a very Hiverul allowance tas Leen made tn favor of the rattroads. It wiht be ronslderea. fulr to fix the rate st 8 ver cunt, which would largely fnerease the difference between the amount upon the rouds are actually tuxed, and that upon which ‘they should have boen taxed. It must aleo be remembered that, for the juek of the formation whitch the Lith proposes to avcure, as above stated, the neb curnings reported are quite Ikuly ta be consid~ crably less than whut they uctuaily ore, were all the ftema improperly charged to operating expenses, ete, deducted. A PAINT IDBA of the manoer in which these great corporations: Dhue evaded tho bardege of taxation, aud sbifcel them upon the other Interests af the Beate, cau be gulved drom tue fotlowing gtate- THE CHICAG6 TRIBUNE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1879---TWELVE PAGIS. ment: By reference to the Auditor's report, tt appears that. the four roads above nomed—the Chicago & Alton, Chicago & Northwestern, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, und the Chicas to, Rock Island & Paclie—nave evaded the payment of taxes each sear on on amount larger by several millions than Ue value ay ansencect for the purposes of tazation ofall the lands and town fot in the Hiyhteenth and Nineteenth Con- dreasional Districta combined 7 WHERUFORE A BTRONG Lonny, In the light of nll these facts, can it he won- dered that the railroads are- ureant fie a doter= mined opposition to this bill, thiatdt has slumbered peacefully solong? Can the Lecls- Tature afford to ignore thle bill which promises to relieve all the other Interests of the Stata except the rallronds of n mighty burden, and ‘whieh only propuses to compel the railroads to bear their Just provertion of taxation! <a. GAREIEL Au Interview with (ho General on Polltical Matters—fo will Not Nun for Governar. Correspondence Ubielnnatt Commerctal. Wasutnaton, Murch 23,—Your correapondent enlled to-day upon Gen, Garietd, and had an fo- terview with him iu relatiSh to his tnikcd-of candidacy for the Gubernatorial nomtuation, and also upon Ohio nnd Natlonal politics. In Answer tonquestion whether he would allow the use of his natne beforo tho Nominating Con- vention, he replied: “f am not acandidate under any conditlon, and Ido not sea why It is that every little while iny name comes gureling upasacandidate, I sold months aco that was ridt‘ai aspirant for “the position, and I say so now, and Tenn seu of no possible complica- tons that will Induco mo to change. If you cap, L wish you would set at rest once for all this everinating talk about fy running for the Governorship} say again that L am not a candidate under any circumstances. Letters come to me every day from, friends in Ohio, and papers from all over the country come marked, asklng me to appear ne n candidate, but itis no use. I cannot; even had T aspira- tions to fill that oflice, I could not consistently accept, as I do not belivve there fs one mon in my district that wants mo to resign my present position to fll thatof Governor, and their wishes T must consult and get upon?” “In caso you will not allow your name to be used, who do you thiuk will be nominated ?* “It acoms og though. the sentiment of the people Is strongly favoring Taft. And L would not be surprised to sce-him nominated by uccla- mation. If he hne anv opposition at all, it cer- tainly will be Charile Foster, and Foster is an admirably man, nud would make one of our very best Govervors, and ft may be before the Con- yention js cailed public opinion will vibrate back to Foster. But the.nonunation will ultimately rest between Taft and Foster, ond Tecan cheer- fully and heartily support either, or any other good Jepublican.” “Who fs your personal preference?” “Woll, Lrather incline to Charlle Foster, for the reason that he has been treated badly. He hag not had falr play. Ile hus been a sort of a mart it for tho party, and ao think Uhat bis party should stand by him when they have it in their ower to give hin a suitable rewarct for his tdel- ty. Foster has been of lucalculable servicoto the Kepublican party in Congress. Ho is une of the ablest mul clearest-headed men we have, anid is fit to hold any position thut the suffruxes of the people would cleyate him to. So far us Repub- Menntent {3 concerned, onels as good as the other, und ‘Taft a8 a Govergor would be as good as Fos- ters but why LinclIne to Foster ia on the grounds of his past il-uaage. He has not bad fair pin. As for the talk about Stalwartism in Ohio, it is all thosk.’ We are a unit in Ohio. We know no differences {n aur party, and do not propose tohave auy. Taft is no stronzer Republiewn than Foster, nor is Foster suy weaker than Tatt.? Con you win in the coming concst?* “We can, {ani sure ft will be a hot contest, and in seme respects one of the most uncom- romleing “ever Known {n our polltical ltatory. Sue we can win. by a fale’ majority, and place Ohio once moro ‘In the Republican eolumn, whero she belongs." “Will there be a coalition batweun the Na- tlonals und Democrats!” “1 donot know, nether do I think it ver: material whether there {8.0 coalition or not If there is one, thers will nye to be a certain sur- rendering un some questions with the Demo- crate; aud whether the increase of numbers from the Natfonats will counterbalance the dam- age to ther own camp will be u matter of ufter- demonstration? “Who do you think will be the Democratic candidates” “Pishop will be nominated, | think; the only opporttion 1 cau find seems to centre on Rice, And while Rice {8 a better man in some respects, and has a creditable record in Conyzreze, yet, on the whole, Bishop tathe atrongzer, tor Rice ts not suflletently powerful on the stump to be a great leader and grouse and olactrify the masses, und us acaippalgner would uot be o8 seductivesos Unele Dick, wko can't make uw speech, bub who ean attend more country tuirs atid do more haud- shaking than any other man of his size in the Suite, which is a whining card, and much more effective than a mild speech.’ + VGould uot Rico's history on tho Pensfon bill help bint? “Not at all; when ft becomes known that Rice had no moro to do with the bi] than perhaps n dozen others, it will not be such a great pollt- feat feather for him. 1 houor Rice for whut he dids but to suy thatitwas Kico’s bill, and that he alone | worked its passnge fs, perfectly ridtcu- jue. Will the platforma of the two parties ro- main nhout the same as they were last yeard” “Nearly so, ‘The Democrats will still tale about the demoralizing effects of resumption, and bring fa thelr unlimited-cotvage olank, nid all about athe equalizathm of rreenbacks with gold, nnd the substitution of Nutivnal notes for bank-notes, ete; whilo we will stand upon the record madu by aurstlves through twenty yeurs of peril, and will maintain with. the game Inyla- eibuity our fnanedal doctrines, which ara the only doctrines that will bring safety and eccure stability, Reaumption {8 uo longer an oxperi- tent,—It fs a demonstrated guccess,—anid by it wo will atmid,”? = * Doen Qhio mean to changd her colors from 570 to *301" s “No, sirs Obto Republican tn 1870 means Ohio Republican in 1830, She cannot be wrested fram us by any possible means, or at least by uny legitimate process.’ Who will’ be the: Democratic candidate tu “Samuel 8. Tilden controls tho Democratic forty more than sny other man. Fle wants the nomluation, aud will dumoaud ft of them; and T don't seo how they can refuse to give it to hin Ills strongest opponcat will be Thurman; but, after our success in Ohio this fall, 1 suppose that Gramerey-Park atocie will mark its ture Nigh fn the ascendant, ‘Thurman would he the strongest candidate for the West and South, but the East will evidently run the Conven- tion," “Whom will the Republicans nomtnate in 18802" ‘You aro talking about things too far ahead: the cantidates now named may be dead, or soni new. luminary may fur outshine all tha preaent lights who are turning thelr Jurid glare, fn the direction of the White House. But one thing fs euro; the Republican “party will noin- nate a goo mnaniusda etrong man; tt never makes mistakes; nnd the chief reason fa, thut the narty us a whole [s consulted, wut not a ring of lead Whoever Ue people want they wi have," . Can you clect your President {s 18901)" “Yes, alr, wo can! Tt will bea bebt of won- derful muguitude, and of semarkable energy; but Lam contident of victory, standing us we do upon an almost immaculate record, und rest. iy upon a platform: that fs commensurate in cvory way, With our magniiicent bistory und patriotic purposes; ad A Bocloty of 10,000 Boys, New York Worl The “Loyal Sons of America” will hold a celebration ot Medusa, N. Y., ou the Fourth of July, ‘There are to be an encampment, athletic sports, and- masquerade parades of o patriotic uid hfatorie: nature. Boston, Brouklyn, aul Now York will furnish most of the sous. ‘The Soclety wad organized tn 1871 In this State by elght schoolboys averseing 14 yeare uf age. At presunt every Ntute fa represented (u its juveniic ¢ounc!! ‘There are wigwaws In every city and: in many towna, an elaborate syatem of grips and signala, and a-perfoct discipline, Cundidutes for Inttlation must bo youn tnen‘of Atmerican birth, of itrerroachable charavter, not Ieee than Td vor moro'than 26 yeurs old. In thia city the chief wigwain fa tn the Forenco Bullding, at the corner of Second avenue and First street, where muetings are .beld on the tlrat and. third ‘Tuce- days of cach month, aud the Bociety hus an a: gregate tnumberstiip.of 10,000 boys. Ita objects are fruternul sud patriotic, The present officers grat * Presldent—Charies D. Haines, Now York. Firat Vice President—Horuce 5. Kuliet, New he yoeond Viees President—Mobver J], Carruth, Flor: Virand Chanecllor William K, Hopwett, Towa, Secretary of Stule—T. Bluor fal yes New Yoru, wert ry uf Fipance—Frederick, My Kingaley, New vu My eui-Chirleg Ay Klehmand, Now Tampalitre. Heeral Chalet A Hhenjous Us ‘euutiuy Mle out soMntiructor-Genevat—Thomas Dy Usher, Now aeney, “Councttiors—tred 1. Con tee J. Thorndykn, Mart Wascouzaj Jehu ‘A, Steiarly f meron, Looeianas W chia? doh E, Keay. Bey baila. TOM BULORD. Tae Principal Fights He Has Had Daring His Career, A Sketeh Wrilten by 8 Priend Who Mos Known Him for Nearly Twenty-tive Years. T.aximoaton, Ky., March 28.—T7o the Fdltor of the Clnennati Commercial: Gus, Abe, Henry C., Thomas, nud Bt. Clair were the sons of the Inte William Huford, of Woodford County, who, If remember rightly, was the son of sn elder brother of Col. Abraham Buford, of the Revolutionary army. Gen. Napoteon B. Bue ford, of IHinofe, ane the Into gallant Gen. John Buford, ‘of the Unltcd States Army, were their first cousins, ‘The Buford cetate was near that of the Alexanders, of Woodburn, to whom {t nearly all now belongs, St. Clalr, or “Sink,” the youngest of the brothers, carly developed into a dangerous madman, possessed of “A HOMICIDAL MANIA, His brawls were numerotts; iu fact, he was sel- dom out of onc, My tmpression ts that his private graveyard holds the bodies of three victims to, his shot-cun, pistol, or knife. At length, for soma slashing exptolt of his, he wos arrested in Versailles, und fn his wild rage openly threatened the Hife of a Mr. Carter, the officer who interfered with his playful pastime. The people of Versnilics had grown weary of St. Clair's eccentric disportations; the crack of bis fire-arms and the fash of lifs steel had become decidedly monotonous; so thats deputation of eftizens made a demand upon Thomas F. Mar- shallto prosceute Lim. To this “everyboilyts Cousin Tom" atrongly demurred, for the very natural and sullicicut reason that “Sink had slroady 8 grudge agalust him, and would bs sure to kil him at the very firat op- portunity. But hiss vanity ~—ylelded to the pressure, and finally he re- Juctantly assented, on two fundamental condl- tions precedent: First, that lite fee, a hand- some one, shoald be paid fn advance; aecond, thant a double-barreled shotgun should be scrupulously cleaned aud carefully loaded with buckshot, and a man be placed with it just out- elde the Court-Huuse door, so thut, i cage Ste Clair) made the slightest demonstration, ho might bo able to anticipate his deadtt inten- tous. Tins sere, were agreed to wd univers - Jy approved, att the programme arranged oc- cordlunly. Marshall made one of his grandest effurts, but his intended “subsequent procecd- {uga’ were rendered wnnecessury by the de- eifive actlon of Carter, the threatened ofticer, who, whilo the trial wag progressing, und in the presence of Ure Court, EMPTIED THE CONTENTS OF A 8HOT-GUN into St, Clair’s body. Court adjourned, The funeral was larecly attended. Carter tas ac- quitted. 2 ‘Thomas Buford continued to live, a bachelor, on othe old homestead, with life mother und matden sister, He inherited « good estate, was hospitable, frank, truthful, unsuspieious, aid so slow to quarrel in bis youth that sume who did not underatund kim doubted his gaine. Awkward aud rather blunt tn his speech, hy was made sport of by some of the more pollahed of Isis acquatntances, who did not seruple to ridicnla bis manners even while cating his mutton. It was a long thine bofore tt pene- trated his slow mind that he was beluys insulted nnd that tt was necessary for him to resent It, When nt lost this was comprehended ft took auch possession of him oa to exclude al] other thoughts, In his unsophisticated good nature he had sent a present of sausage meat toa very utiful and brilifant clty fady, by whom he had been attracted. Meeting .ber and others ‘upon the etreet one day he fuyited the pi t partuke of samo refreshments in an fee: eniogn, dust to quiz him the geutle- men called for the most costly champacne and other expensive Mixurles, so that iustead of a trifle Buford found the bill more than the con- tents of lis porket-bnox. A comuninteation sp- peared in the Loulsville Zémes, narrating thesa Jncldents and others of a similar nature, not calling Buford by name, but deseriving tin ta such terms that {dentiflentlon could not fail, ridiculing hint most. fnmerchtully. and applying to him dorisive und Insulting epithets, LIGUT BROKE ULON BUFORD'S DULLNESBy he was belng made a butt of by hia friends. Im- mediately upon reading the paper he started to Louisville; aseertalned at the Galt House that Col, Theodore O'fara, the editor of the Zimes, was in the barroom} walked up to and eked ihn §f lis name was O'Hara (never having seen Im previously); on being auewered in the aftir- imative, asked nyuinif he wua the responeible editor of the Zines} belug answered n_ second, tine allirmutively, sald, “My namo fs Buford, and Dye come to whip you for publishing the insulting orticle concerning me fn your paper,” and at once struck him in the Tace, nnd continued to beat and kick him until U'llora was well near Iteless. O'Hara was a man of knightly courage; he acknowledged binigell in tault for publishing such on article, and ag svon as he recoyercd made Buford 0 handgome apology. But Buford believed thera were others behind O'ilura, and lie was not sat- fetled to leave them unpumshed. Growing out of this alfair Eother diifculties came upon him, but never with those whom hu blamed. On day he was stunding on the street tn con. yersatlon, when he was Interrupted by John JL. Morgan, who gaye lim the He. Buford was not. armed, amd saw) that Morgan was; so, with « quiet. laugh, he muds Morgan o polite bow, say- lng: Tm very inuch obliged to you; wood morning, sir”” No,” said Morgan, “1 say you argo d—d Har, now.” 1m all the more obliged to you; good morning, air; you'll hear from me again,” anid Butord, ditting bis hat aud walklig away, still laughing lowly, Le at ones wrote, end SENT A PEREMPTORY CHALLENOE, naming Dr. A. K. Mursballas his friend. It was accepted; but the matter was arranged be- tween Dr. Marshall and Col. T. 'T. Mawkina, who acted for Morgan, on terms satisfactory to Buford’s wounded honor. It was not Morgan whom he desfred to fight, or from whom he be- Neved his wrong had come, and he was wilting: that the mutter should be adjusted, provide the hasty insult was withdrawn, It was not Jong after this, in 1853 or 184, when he met with George TH. Thomas at the Dine Lick Springs, The latter waa a man of tatvnt and cultivation, and of the most unques- tioned courage, excitable, passionate, quick to take und to ulve offense, und whom nothing could satisfy save the compicte abasement of any one with whom he quarreled, Thomas at once manifested # purpose to force a diffleulty upon Buford, who passlyely submitted Lai repeated and unprovoked fnaulte, and ayolded him, Buford bore Thomas no ilewill; belleyed ue had been ant on by others; did not waut to KML bhi, sn YREVERIED TO ENDURE rather than do so. But his motives wore mis- constrned, attributed to tinldity, amd the offen elye conduct was persisted In. Later they bap fase together fn tho billfard-saloon In the Phantx Hutel in Lexington, ‘Thomas was vlay- fng, and berate cngazed in on altercation con cerning the game, Buford thoughtlessly velun- teered o augecation, tor the purpoge of paelfying the disputants, ‘Thomas turned upon hin, cursed and denounced him, Buford saw) tha and of more than one man thrust uuder his coat-tail, and drauk in the situation ng 2 glance As usual, ho laughed, “Gentlemen,” sald he, “ST apoke as n peacemaker, and [in not galny to be forced into g feht myself because [have tried to make peace between others, Tdid not come here for 1 ditliculty, aud 1 don't intond to have one,” With that lie Ifted lite hat and lete Uw room, : ‘Nhe next day, while Buford was talkin with a Jady upon the old Falr-Grounds, Thomas came up, passed between them, drow the indy away, turning his back on Buford, Thla was the straw that broke the camel's back. ‘The imperturba- bie, deliberate, dead-gaine man was fully ruused, tuough not tu the least exelted. He walted coolly until he auw Thoinas alone; then walked up to bin and asked ‘Thomas if ho had intended to insulin, With nts mocking sueer Thomas replied: “Why, slr, J never ron a man down. 1 was satisfled with what 1 said to yen lost night! Baford immediately struck him toll in Whe face, knoeking hin down, atl then, KICKED AND STAMPED ON TID, The two nen were complete contrasts. Thomas tulband slendur, thin-“lanked, pipe-stem levs, an long aquiline nose; quek, but not athletle; temper fike a tender boy; brave, but too teme pestuous for much” execution, wouut = five = feeb nine inches high, bronud-shouldered, slightly = rounudeds iy chest, thick-bodied, strong aring, ond sturdy Tous; rather low forehead, and a small, blue eye the caliest, cooleat mun allve; slow to anger, but utterly }ruplucablo when Snjuredy time possible to forcs Into a dithculty when ugainst his will, and equally Impossible to throw off hts guard. Bystanders luterfered, and Thomas ross. He dusted his hist with bis handkerrbtaf, and then wiped the blood fron iy face; bowed ne coolly as Buford could have doug, anid be wold ‘foun be lieard from, und walked uway, He proceeded ta Lexington, armed himaelf, wid ut ouce returned, Looked for Bulan, ted uutll he had caught als eye, and then wt once ured oo bling ‘Tne soot missed, but elrusk a Uutord, negro woman, whom {ft dangeroasaly wonnded, fn an snstant Buford liad hits revolver leveled and Theinas completely covered, Dut thera were Jadtea running behind Thomas, and fn the ranga of Bulord’s flee, and one of them would aimost certainly have been killed had the ball possed. beyond Thomas. Seeing this, Buford lowered his pistol to his aide, shifted his postion, WAITED UNTI. THE WOMEN WERE oUT OF RANGE, recelving two harmless shots from Thomas in the meantiine, then fired quickly, but could not. eee Thomas distinctly from the smoke of the fatter's pistol, nud missed. A second tine ha pulled the trigger, but the cap snapped. Witty a laugh, he took tresh cats from lis vest pocket, putone on the tube, fired, and ‘Thomas, who All the thme had pech shooting at him, fell. In the meantime Ferguson, a handsome dandy friend of Thomae, ruslicd towards the Jatter with a fresh pistol, Abo Buford saw thls, erled out, “D—n tt, ‘fom, throw down your pistol nod goin with your Knife,” und himself made nt ae for Ferguson, caught him, knocked him down, kicked bln with the beel of his heavy milltary boot, Hned with brass und with sharp edyes, and sealped hin as clean asan Indian could have performed the jobwithaknife. ‘Then the two elants had a tumble, over and over one another, Fercuson recelying a terrible beating. _ fom Buford did draw his knife, but made for Ferguson Instead of Thomas. He was eought before hy could use It. By this time Buford be- tan to be understood, aud 113 ENWMIES LET 11M ALONE, Thomas wos engaged in blockade-running, and died) of constunption in Cuba during thy ‘War. After this, belie clialienged by F.C. Johnston, of Loulsyille, he chose pistols at six pacer, bub there was nu fight. te also tried to force o dif- fHleulty with Gen. Willlam Nelson, but that ofll- ver would not gratify iim, Some ycuranfter the occurrences narrated above Thomas Buford’s brother Henry attacked bin, shut at him ball a dozen tines, be taxing: eifect In his bund. Thomas Buford was Jully armed, but would not fire at lls brother to save his own Ilfe, and waked away, telling lenry that he did not wish to burt him. At the outbreak of the War he was AN INTENSID UNION MAN. Tenneasce had sent several Cominisatoncre to the Kentucky Legistature tu Induce the State to secede, One of them, on beuring o strove Union ‘speech, stated that, if made In Tennes- see, the apeaker would be hung. “ What!’ sald Buford, who overheard bin, “are not Unton men ullowed to express their sentinents fu Tennesacet™ Nu, sir) Du you mean to eay that you orely taver of violence toward Union men who talt tn that way in Tennessee! * “Yes. Then, my dear, you must not talk Secession tn Kentticky. Shut right up, and dot open your mouth again. I desire no dil- fieulty. But, if you vive utterance te another Secession sentient tn Frankfort, you will have a very large-sized dificuity on “your hands. You must leave town on the firat tralo,” He jee something of Buford’s character, und eft. Theaccount of his holding st bay the Sheriff of Henry County aud lis posse is go recent ap to be familiar, When the decision againat him was first rendered by the Court of Anpeals, abouts year ago, persons in Frankfort who kuew Buford expressed themselyes os SATISEIED THAT IR WOULD KILL THN JUDGe, not from any threat that he had made, but fram a knowledge of the man, and of the view he had taken of lis own case. He would walk the floor of the large room of the Capitol, his face look- ingcalm, astern, nud sorrowful, suying little to any one, evidently brooding over his inagiuary: wrong, but actual fimpoverisbment, He made uphbfs mind thento kill if the case shonid finally go -agawuest him, and he bas never wavered from Usmt purpose, 1 hare known him for nearly a quarter of a century, und oT Uelleve bis statement that he did not intend to ussassizate Judea Carter, and had relinquished 18 purpore to Bil Judge Pryor on account of the latter's wife and children. Jo had the power to select the view tim of his venceouce, and chose Judge Elifott. He did uot give warning, for that would have frustrated his purpose. Hada thousand men stood up with thelr muskets ready to shoot him down, IT WOULD NOT MAVR AVAILED TO HAVE DE- TEMRED MIM, ‘but he would have been rather glad to haye the finality then aud there. A mau of strome vas- sians, they have no sifety-valye in muscular exeltement, but acem still wud deep, It fs not. true, as stated In the Commercial, that he has Idilled three mien, Not the murdor itgelf, but the coulnees, deliberation with which ft was done, and bis indifferonee to the consequences, are characteristic of his whole Ilfe. ‘rhe only In- consistency Iean detect is the expression of momentary comounction for what be had done, after having au Jong welched it. Kurru. ——S a MARRIED, NOL MATED. An English anil Two American Cases, New York World, Just twenty years ago, In the autumn of 1859, a lady belonging both by birth and by marrluge to ou of the inost ancient farnillea in England, —Mrs. Mary Gurney, the wife of her cousin, John Henry Gurney, M. P. for King's Lynn, and the heiress in her own right of a fortuno of over a million pounds sterling—clectrified’ a wide elrele of frlends und connections on both sides of thy Atlantic by suddenly leayiug her home, her husband, und her three young elilldyen, to elope to Parls with a groom,’ Willlain Taylor, who had Jong been hes companion and attend- ant iu her dafly rides. The case excited ex- traordinary attention at the time, not only be- cause {t Jarred to thelr foundations the barriers of social caste within which well-ordered Britaln ves its comelfest dally life, but because the family thas ..suddenly mado oa public scandal, after feuring during the carllest epochs of modern English history in the wars of the Conqueror aud of the Plantage- neta, bas fora century past been conspicuous tn the Society of Friends, ‘fhe Norman De Gour- nays of the cloventh and twelfth centuries were. the direct progenitors of John: Josopt: Gurney, whom the Quakers of London and of Philadel phia hold in equal honor, and Jolindoseph Gur- ney wns the father of the gentleman upon whorn this ureat domestic calamity fell.” Nor did the cage tack other features: to dis- thogutsh it from. casual and daily seandals of the same sort. Mrs. Gurney wus a woman of 1 Keen nnd cultivated Intellect ag-avell ag of an imperious anid ungovernable will, aud, after es- tablishing herself as her ureatpersonn estate euabled her to doin Paris with the partner of her flight, she wrote, prepared, and sant to the press uo stnall yohima tn yindication of her conduct, Jn tis volume, “entitled Drs, Gurney's Apology." she nssalled the family in whieh she hed been: educated and the soelety in which from her ohildieud to the aye of 23 yeara she nad Hyed, as haying con- aspired toxether to dwarf all the emotions of hor mature, and image ile under the conditions recognized nntimpased by them Impossible to her. She fmputed the waywarducss uf her na- ture to dispulses Inherited from the repeuted n- termarriaves of the louse of Gurney during several auccessive generations, and arraigued her marrige to her cousin Jolin Henry os hy ig extinguished "the finer Hythe within her, —a light only rekindled by her acqualutanee with and adralration of ter groom, fn whom ghe described herself ag having found a being open to all the Influences of nature, aid whose " pres~ ence took her back to Whe men of ber ancestral pride.” To taintain the form of a superiority where noue existed,” she sald, *beeame at Inst an fmpoasibility"; and bo it came to pase that, upon a day when this reiourknble Wiltlam = Taytor © wax riding beside her in othe hiehrord, she suddenly turned and avowed her Jove. ‘To whiet “He auld out fi the ult, out into the heavens, *God hus given me tov great’a joy." A more smieular boul in fis way than this Apology hardly exists in modern ilterature, We recall it to-day not to offer any of the ob- ylous criticisms, nor yet to indulge fn any of the obvious norallginzs, upon its strange and mel- aucholy pages, Which will’ occur af themaclves to every Well-Latunced mind, but simply becausa the publisher who gavea small edition af tt to the wortd in thia country excised timeell for so doing on the vround that Mrs. Giurnuyts ait- mirntion of her grout wag “fan earnest plea tn behalf of Personal Mert,” which could not Jal] to Win its way to many hearts, at least in sthis country, the foater-hume of the plebeianca and of deniucracy,"” ‘Two social events which hayes disturbed ‘tho peace of hitherto duppy ons in the nelghborsond of the Metrapg- Vis during the past month or two pute t plea for Personal Mert to the test rather sharply. Aud thouel fi neither of these cases thug the recowultion by a woimau of personal merit a man socially regarded us her Inferior been clouded, as 1b was di tie cade of Mire, Gane ney, by a ponitive Infraction of Divlue aud hits wan iaw, [timust be owned that the tone of sitch public comment as eltuer Of thesy cases Tine ag yet received dava nat eucouraga the bes het vat Personal Merit? te vulsed by fathers and wothers “in thie foster-home of the ple- hefance nnd of democracy” attogether above rubles wud rank. ‘The uurriage of a young lady in Eurtiord to her father’s coachman has not Leen folluwed by any general outburst of social sympathy and approbutlon; und, although pany New York such circles are discussing now the etll more romantic wid unnaual determina flon of oo young lady delieutoly ” nurtures ed anit eduented «te -deuve her home upd keck oa pew Hite cheewhere with the driver of s city-rallway car whose acquaint- ance was suught and whose honest aul con aclentions devotion was won by heraclf, It may be doubted whether a lofty and sentimental ad- anfration of the heroine and of her practical faith In the preamble uf the Declaration of In- dependence anywhero predominates in these discussions. . In this latter caso the young Indy waa all that e young lady should he. Sho did not consider herself, Ilka Mra. Gurney, o thwarted being, doomed to guap for life 1m o hothouse full of grim antl broad-brimmed Quakers, -Bho was o bright, animated, well-educated, sonalble firt. Sho did not seck her fate. Jt eame to her. In making visits to some especial friends, she was sceustomed to use a particalar ine of horee- curs, Varucly described In the ‘books of the Mayor's Marahal os a Cross-Town linc, and the curs. were of the kind which ate known by the unromanticiname of ‘ bob- talls.”" ‘These cars, however, be ft noted, catal- sl closo relations, at least In a fiscal way, be- tween the passenger and the driver, ‘The Int- ter, a8 he occupies his platform, finds suspented above his head a narrow mirror, which {8 so ar ranged that {t reflects for him the faces of atl pareenners who enter the ear, and which ex- hibits to him every actlon within it. Behind him fs the patent change-spring through which ihe chaugeless passenger passes the Inrge coin or the greenback {un order to recelve his packet of conventent silver. Only the love whichlaughs. at Juckatniths, but not at car-drivers, can tell how parsion should have come to birth anid such dull andl commonplace detnits, Neither of the happy couple bag teen yet moved vo toll the story, But the mirror and = the change-epring, it js agreed, had the most to do with the fntroduction, In on short thae there happened the cuineldence that the lady was always ablewhen slic lett home for ber visita, to hath miatespectal cur, the mirror of whieh, ay she sot within, refleeted tu her the features of (hat capecial driver, ul to him the graces of his charming passenger. She was of an old Knickerbocker strain, dashed wi N England btood, aud he wasa © te fig Irishman’! Phe half-dines wit rendered evers day to the Cross-Town Com pany must have dellyhted the ‘Treasurer, who doubtless wondered, too, at the increasing good- humor with which cvers Saturday night the happy car-driver took hig paltry trade-collar for waves, One day sho.quielly announced her ap- proaching inarrlage to her: guardian, told the story of lier alfectlon, and asked that her proper purtlon of her inherited estate might be inde over to her. Remonstranees were made,—bitter- Ty, sadly, earnebtly.—but in vain, The strangely- united “couple went quictly to the Catholle church in — nvente,—she ina tnodest walk- Ingeedrers and he ing suit of new eheviot,—and exchanged thelr vows. ‘There was no acene, 10 romanelnyg, ne dramatles. ‘To hin doubtless: she was a goddess, but his wile. ‘To ler he was aeardriver, but yet her qafet, manly, alto- cether estimable husband, She sent her uncle her address on the second flour of a tenement. Hatin the avenue through which the cars aul the driver of her fate held their route; and so cach could see the other as the passing and re- passing came. They Ilya together tappily su far,—in or out of the car, inar out of the tat, inorout of the eity; mutters not. But the duors of the ol bome are net opencd to either. Such ts chapter the first of the yery latest ro- nance in New York soclety; and what one of our futr renders will ot “honestly say that, us shu reads it, lier first impulse fa to azree with the Pailadelphi{a publisher of Mra, Gurney’s Apology? THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE. Tho Carnival af Authors. To the Eilitor of The Tribune, Cincaco, April 1.—There seems to be a mis- understand[ng tn the minds of the public in re- Intion te the terme pow which Mr. Frauk P. Pease cuines to conduct the Carnivalof Authors, For thelr enlightenment we would state that Mr. Pease constructs all the booths, furnishes all acceasories and scenery at bis own expense, ancl at n cost of about 85, ceive 25 per cent of the cross receipts of the Carnival, Mra. (i. B. Mansiy, President Carulyal, Nowspaper Postage, To the Editor of The Tribune, Prame .pu Crtex, March 931.—Please reat Writain, and oblico SM, ([Uhe postage on newspapers to Great Britain, cent stamp.) A Firat of April Quory. To the Huttar of The Tritunt, 5 grams state that the Fenlan E, O'Meagter Con- don lias been given a clerkship In the Treas permit me to ask you is it lawiul toglye 1 United States Government offlve to an alien! ‘This is what Ido not knows but Ido know that this bit of polley smells of soft-soap on Ue part of the Adininistration to be on the soft alde of the Fenian element of our voters. Are tere not Atuerlean citizens enouh fn the country for American oillees! O Heaven, suspend thy pure pose! JOIN SANDE, A Baptist Complaint. To the Editor of The Triti Cmicago, Mareh 31.—Yesterday, us T walked {nto one of the prominent South Side churclics, Tins surprieud to tind in the person of an usher aman whois known as a politien) bumtaer, Pollce Court shiyster, ana general buminer, After the service Thad a talk with some of the members; they appear to iknow the reputation of tho man, but ‘dowt want np public trial £ should like to usk throu the cohwmns of your valuable paper whitch 8 the worst in the eyes of the general publle, to have a man in the most proinfient sosiiion {i the charet whom strane gers hnow to be a rascal, or a churuh teh For my pure L think they liad better part with his vompany, Although not a menmer of that ehureh or denomluution, £ feel a deep tutercst Jn Chrlatianity, A Uarrist. An Indignant Travelor, ‘To the Tilttur of The Trine, Muwauncen, Murch $1,—A great wrong was perpetrated by the Chicuzo, Milwaukee & St, Paul Railroat Compauy when they delayed their last nights train for two hours to accom: modate a theatrical troupe, greatly to the detri- mount of some fifty passengers who purchased tickets in good faith under the impression that the train would depart on sehedulo thine, ‘Theru was a decided and emphatic expression of indignation on the part of these passengers, who could illy afford to deprive themectves of a night's rest under such clreumetanees, Query: Had twenty bustuesssmen (the (dentleal nui ber of the troupe) mace applieation ty tlie Com- pany for such fidulycnee, would tt have been granted? J was one of the yictling, and am free to con- fess my Sontenipe for such mismanagement, nivtirast you will graut others, vs well as ny- self, an opportunity to ventilate this Imposition, Rospecttully, Vieria. Aas or Mulo—Which? To the Editor of The Tritune, Counctt. Bure, la, March 20,—1 have been reading your good paper of Jute a8 9 aubseriber, and belleve pretty fully in your doctrines. Now, in view of the wholesale removal of the ‘Con- federato” Congress and ariny headquarters to. Washington, und the hasty subserviency of the Domocratte party North to the new regime, a fecling of curiosity urlses as ta Just what sort. of ainnl the Northern Democratic party te, It beoms to have swallowed the oll Confeder- ate contemps without winelng, and tuken to thelr saddle, bit and spur, or whip, as tauioly as an old yellow dog, It svems to be osort of middle-grounder be- twoon the two lowest and most abject forma of domestic sulmul existences, but embodying so many exaugerated charucturleties of both Ut clasuffleation with efther ts well wiah tinpossl- ble, suc ft must stand alone someticre with « zelponeach. ‘Lhe Northern Democratic party js neither aga nor mule, but the worse uf both.— will some one tell ua which it is, a aupergsaliled inulo or a supermulaied asat If fen wil kiully propound this important qquestion ti natural tudnaturuly bhtory, posslbly some fvarned Democratic uondeecript in the North may rise und explun just where ho should properly be classliled or catalogued In the American museum, Cartilaginous Kepub- Means may alse be thus enabled to earn thelr Hiuwlteat deathyy Iu evolution or survival vfthe ticat. ‘ ‘Temporance in Ganesea, 1, To the Editor of The Tribune. Qengszo, Ul, March SL—A very largo and euthuslaatic unfon temperance niceting was eld lust evening in Vreeman's Hall, ‘The halt, which seats nearly 1,000 peuple, was Aled uutil there was no standing roouy loft, aut yet crowds: of puople went away. ‘The meeting was ad- droased by the Rey. William M. Collin, pastor of the Firat M. . Church of this place, who took for hist subjec, ‘lhe Church Pow andl Liquor Trails "5 und the able mauuer in which , he in return to re- state in your Datny ‘Tnimune what Js the post- Ago on your paper of eight and twelve pages to if not over four otinces in welxht, [s two cents each, An elghtor twelye page Trnonc will fall within that weleht. A sixteen-page Tnis- UNE Welehs four ounces, unu requires a three: Cmtcaco, April 1.—As the Washington tele- hho treated this themo ied many of our best citi‘ zens to regard It 98 6 masterly effort upon iis part. Tho tecture was considered one of the finest over delivered {n tho hall upon this sibs Jeet, nnd although it was Sunday even- ing the speaker was ofton applauded. * The attentfon of the audienca gava mant- fest evidence of a great awakening Upon tha subject of temperance, ao tint there 14 now great hope thutaur city, which now has fourteon saloons, will go no Hicense” nt the next clection, which {sa week from tu-tlay— April? Atthe close of the lecture, reso! tlona were almost unantinovsty. adopted by rising: vote favoring the bi] wow pending boforo our Sinte Legistature, known as the “Tines ‘Di, and also asking for the passage of a blll favoring the Home Protection Petition” re- eently sent to the samo hody, ‘The, meeting Was i grand success, und the workers of tem: purauce are cucouraged. Mr. Collins lectured Inthe same hall with xreat acceptability tro wecks ayo Inst night, aud temperanca workers witldo woll to giyo hima call. RH, Sel A NUPTIAL CONTRACT. Tho Troaty Votween Queen Victoriannd the Emperor William for the Marriage of Arthur and Loulse. bi . London Times, A Parliamentary paper Issited on Saturday contafns the treaty between her Majesty and the German Emperor, King of Prussia, for the mar- riage of his Royal Highness the Duke of Con- naught with Her floyal Highness the Princess Louise Margarct of Prussia. It was signed ot Kerlin, Feb. 2, 1870, nnd ratifications were ox- changed at Berlin March 8 ‘The treaty runs as follows: “In the nance of the Holy and Blessed Trinity, “Be it known unto all mon by these presenta, (hat whereas her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: on the one. part, und bis Majesty the German Emperor, King of Prussfa, on the other part, belng alrencdy connected by ties of consanguinity and irlendship, have Judged {¢ croper that a further alliance should he vontracted between thelr respective Moyal Houses by a marriage, fgreca to on both sides, between bis Royal Mizinesa Arthur William Patrick Albert, Duke ot Connaught und of Strathearne, and Earl of Sussex, Duke of Saxony, Prince of Saxe-Coburg und Gutha, ete, third eon of ber Majesty the Queen of the Untied Kingdom of Great Britain gud Treland, and of his Royal itghneas the Prince Consort, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburgy and Gotha, and her Royal [Mighnese the Princess. Lowlse Margaret Alexandra Victoria Agnes, third daughter of his Royal Highness Princo. Frederick Charles Nichulus of Prasstu, and great niece of hfs Majesty the German Emperor, King of Prussia. 7 ‘The two high betrothed parties, os also his Royal Hichness the Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia, and her Royal Highness the Princess Marie Anne, ils Royal Highness’ consort, bay- Ing declared their consent to such alliance,—in order, therefore, to attain so desirable un end, nn {o treat upon, conclude, and confirm the articles of the said marriage, her Britannic Malesty on the one part, nud bis Majesty thu German Emperor, King of Prussta, ot the o:her, have vamed ua thelr Plenipotentiariva, thut fs to say? “Her Majesty the Queen of the United King- dom uf Great Britaln and Irclund, the Richt Monorable Lord Odo Willfum Leupold Russell, amember of ber Majesty's Most {Ionorablo Privy Council, Koight Grand Cross of the Must Honorable Order of the Bath, hor Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary aud Plenipotentiary to luis Majesty the German E:mperor, King of rtissla: + And his Majeaty the German Emperor, King of Prussia, Baron Alexander yon Schleinitz, Minister of State, Minleter of his Majesty's Householu, Kulght of the Order of the Blick Engte, ete, eter, “Who, after having communteated to cach other thelr respective Cull powers, found in good nnd due torm, Have agreed upon and concluded: the following urticles: “Anticng ft. It 1s concluded and agreed that the marriaze between bis Royal Highness Arthur William Patrick Albert, Duke of Connaught and of Strathcarnu nnd Eurl of Sussex, Duke of Saxony, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, etc., third ‘son of her Majesty the Queen of tho Cnited Kingdon of Great Britsin and Tretand, nud of his Royal ilfghness the Prince Consort, Prince Albert of Suxe-Coburg and Gotha, nud her Roval Hirhness the Princess. Loulso Margaret Alexandra Victorian Agnes, third dnughter of bis Royal Highness Urince Fred- ck Charles Nicholas of Prussfa, shall be nized In person in that part.of the United Kingdom of Great Britain ond Ireland catled Grent Britatn, according to the duo tenor of the tows of England und the rites und) ceremonies of the Church of Englund, ag soon a8 the same muy consentently be done. “Ant. 2, Her Britannic Majesty engages that his Royal ighnesa the Dukeof Connaught shatl securg to her Royal Hihness, out of any TT iua belunging to his Royal [ltiness or granted to his Koval Highness by Parllament, the annual sum of 21,500, to pald hall-yearly to her Royal Highness for het sole and separato uso and without any power of anticipation, dur- tas Ube period of thelr Royal Highnesses’ imar- rhuze. “Ant, 3, If by the will of Divine Providence her Royal iligtneas shouid become a widow which may God tong forbid) her Britanale Mnjesty, belug duty authorized thereto by Vars Mnment, engages to grant to her Royal Highness, or to stich persons o8 her Majesty may think fit to name, in trust for her oval I pinetey in few of dawer, a8 a personal and inalienable provis- ton, the annual sum of £6,000 sterling. money of the United Kingdom, tocommence from the day of the death of his Royal Highness, aud to cons tinne during the life of her Royal Iigtnras, amt to be payable quarterly on the Sth day of Janu- ary, the Sth day of April, the Bth. diy of July, and the 10th day of October in every year; the first. payment to be made on such: of the Bald heed dave as shall happen noxt after the death of his Royal iighness of auch portion of the annual sum as may lave acerned between the duy of tis death snd such quarterly day, and & proportionate purt thereat to be payable for the perlod from the lust quarterly div of pay- tent to the day of the determination thereof. “Ant. 4d. Ne Mafosty the German Emperor, King ot Prasola, wil grant to ler Koynl tligh- ness the Princess Louise Margaret of “Prussia a duwry o! 00) murks, of which one molety— nunely, 10,000 marks—ia to bo considered as an uct marriage pectlon sich as the Princesses of the Royal Prusstan House are en titled to. and the other mofety—namely, 150,009 murks—1s to be considered as 9 special gilt of tis Majesty, pasainy over into the treo" posses- sion al ler Royal Hightites, “Ths dowry shall bo delivered within four weeks after thy date of the solemnization of thy murrlage to such person or persons us her Britunnie Majesty shall authorize to recelyo the sume, to be held by them upon certato trusts whieh haya bean agreed upon between her Britannle Majesty and nig Mujeaty the German Emperor, Ki of Prussia, and which will bo expressed M1 8 separate iustrument, “Hits Majesty the German Emperor, King of Pruesta, will provide hor loyal Highness the Princess Loufse Margaret with princely apparel), Jewels, wud an outlt sultable to a Princess o! the Royal Prussian House, * Ante. 5. Her Royal Highness the Princess Loulse Marguret, In seeordance with the oxist- {ng practice in the Royal Prasstan House wut the Hottse and fainily commocta, with the con currence of his Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, her {ture consort, renoinees fore nally and permaneutly,tn favor of the male line of tie Naval 1 sist) Mureravian Bradenburs family, all contingent rignts of hereditary suce cession to land aud people, tn such wise that, so loug ag male descendants of the Royal Prussian Margravlun Brandenburg line shall bs living, elie shall have uo cline whutever and no right thereto. S But if (which may Atoughty God torbld) uit male descendants of the Royal Prussian Mure gravlun Brandenburg ling shall have dled out, then whatever apnertalis to the Princesses of tha Royal Margravian Brandenburg House tr virtua of testainents, settleniente, Jaws, and compacts of the uforesaid House stall uot be lost, but shall be reserved to her Royal High- ness the Princess aud her helrs, “Ang. O—Tha present treaty shall be ratified by her Majesty tha Queen of the United King- juntof Great Britain nud Ireland, and by his ety the German Emperor, King of Pras: wud the ratilications shall be exchanged at Be Jin a8 oun as possible. « “In witness thercof tho respective Plentvo- tentlarics buye signed the same aud aye atlixed thereto the seals of thelr aria, “Done at Berlin, the 20th day of February, {a the year of Our Lord 1870. Sw ‘| “Ono Witttas LaovoLp Russeun, Le, Bs “Bou.MiniTZ.”? ‘The Oat's Uxtravrdlnary Vitality. Hultimure Aimerwar, A remarkable story ts told by the Captain of the bark Kate Howe, which utrlyed yesterday marning, trom Liverpool. ‘the Kate Howe wats Jaden i Charleston during tust Noyember, with cotton, for Liverpool. dust before entting, a cat whieh: belonged on board Wow tuissed, und the vessel started on tts voyage; aud forty-seven days after, the hatches were taken off ut Liver- oul, wien the cat crawled slowly forth, pruscnit- Turd wivst wo-begono and emaciated appear- ance, Pussy bud been nudged in between two bales of cotton during the voyage, and had been uusble to wove orto obtaln food or water during the whole. me, ‘The auttale head was lat~ tened, wnek one of tty les was twisted over its Dues, wid although after a few duya of careful nuraings It recovered ity wonted appetite, its foe uior beauly, it te fepred, bus departed Lorevers