The New York Herald Newspaper, May 9, 1874, Page 3

\ ¢ FIGHTING IN ARKARSAS Another Battle and Abun- dant Bloodshed. A BAXTER RIVER BOAT CAPTURED. Flight of the Routed Troops to the Woods. THE KILLED AND WOUNDED Rumored Pr:paration by Baxter to Bom- bard the State House. Legislators Arrested by Brooks on Their Way to the Capitol. Attitude of the Cabinet and the Attorney General. Sentiments of United States Senators and the Supreme Bench. Lire Rock, ARK., May 8, 1874, ‘The HERALD correspondent was halted by one of Baxter’s sentinels while coming from the tele- graph ofice and attempting to pass the lines. The Micer of the guard being sent for was told py the sentinel that he had a prisoner who, he was inform. 4, was carrying despatches to the officers of Brooks, ‘The oMcer recognized the correspondent, and, @eeing the absurdity of the charge, ordered his release. PREPARATIONS FOR BOMBARDMENT. Is ts ramored that General Churchill has noti- fied the people living in the streets near the State House to move out, as he is going to bombard that Portion of the city, and would probably damage their houses and place them in imminent peril of their lives. The citizens and their familics are now moving from that locality, DEMAND ON THE FEDERAL COMMANDER. It is also rumored that a cannon bali fired this morning from across the river was picked up and | carried to Colonel Rose, with the demand that the gun from whose throat the projectile was said to Rave issued should be captured by the federal troops. It ia generally believed, however, that ring was done only with a blank cartridge. HEAVY SEIZURE OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION. Colonel Fowler, of Brooks’ militia, has seized a quantity of arms at Fayetteville and has been ex- pected to come down the river to-day. He is coming on & raft which he has barricaded, and has on board 160 stand of arms and 50,000 rounds Of ammunition. The number of bis men 1s not ‘known, COUNTER INTERCEPTING MOVEMENTS A party of Baxter men passed up tne river this morning at daybreak on the steamer Hattie, to intercept Colonel Fowler and his raft. Colonel Brooker, in command of part of the First ar- Baneas regiment, ‘has gone up the river on this side to intercept the Hattie. A piece of artillery from the State House has been planted behind the breastworks on the bank of the river and pointed | ac) ‘ep the stream, 60 as to command the range of the Hattie as she comes down. A large uumber of skiffs have been seized to be used in boarding the | steamer. : OAPTURE OF A FERRYBOAT BY BROOKS. About ten o’clock a small steam ferryboat started up the river, but was brought to a stop by the firing of blank cartridges from the guns on the intrenchments. She was captured and moored aloogside of the confiscated skifts, VIOLATION OF THE CARTEL, Although stipulated on the side of Brooks that motice should be given of the termination of the agreement regarding the taking of prisoners, the | cartel has been practically null and void for two “@ays, as both sides nave repeatedly violated ita | provisions, | THE HATTIE. ‘The Hattie is expected to appear in a few hours, ‘| Me Second Battle Fought—The Baxter Steamer Hattie Captured by Brooks’ | Mlem—A Severe Fight—The Killed and | Weunded—Great Excitement at Little Rock—A Quorum of the Legislature Probable. Lrrrie Rook, Ark., May 8—4 P. M. ‘The second nattle of the Arkansas war has been fought. |= @olonei Brooker's command, which went up on Drain on the north side of the river, got off at ‘Palarm, eighteen miles from here, marched down tothe bank-of the Arkansas River and formed in lupe Of battle on the side of o hill, screened he bushes, About nine o’clock the steamer attic hove in sight, Oaptain Grove went ‘Gown to the bank and called out to stop the boat times, but she steamed on faster and blew @istress whistle, Captain Sam Houston, in com- of the boat, asked what was wanted. Cap- pain Grove told him he must turn the boat about return to Little Rock, Aman on the boat out, “Go to hell, God damm you!” - A BRISK FIGHT. shot was then firod from the boat at Captain ) Who got behind ao tree, Another Baxter rushed out from the cabin behind the barri- The Brooks men returned the fire, and a ‘was kept up for half an hour. ‘The boat had been carried by the current over Brooks’ men, but during the fire got in current and drifted to the opposite bank. SURRENDER OF THE STEAMER. ‘ shot through the steampipe meanwhile, and boat, drifted by the current, reached the shore, the Baxter men, about thirty in number, fled ‘the bank, into the woods, in all directions. White flag was hoisted by the mate of the boat, Welsh, and the fring ceased. He asked Brooker to send aid to the wounded. sie were sent over to her with squads of eight em im each, The hole in the steampipe was end twenty-five men, under an ofMcer, pat on board of her to take her back to Little THR KILLED AND WOUNDED. casualties on the Baxter side were as fol- — Trimms, shot im the temple, and died to- ‘The Gring all the while was very brisk. A hole | NEW YORK HERALD, Captata of the best, Sam Houston, snot through | therefor from representatives of the contending the tung ana died. factions in this case, but no conclusions have been Captain Meyer, shot in the breast and leg; will | reached as yet here. Probably be dead ia aa bour. L. B. Leigh, shot im tne leg. The mate, Ed. Heuston, jumped out of the pilot bouse to get water for Heuston and broke his leg. On the Brooks side Jackson, of Company B, was shot in the spine, mortally. Coleman, of Company C, in the left breast. Both are colored, all the Baxter wounded are whites, Four or five were taken prisoners, Dr. Dale went upon the boat rom Little Rock as surgeon and attenéed the wounded. ‘The fight, from all accounts, was very severe. The steamer Hattie ts barricaded with cotton bales, logs of wood and planks, BETUAN OF THE VICTORS. Colonel Brooker’s command, after the fight, formed and marched back to Palarm, got on a train and returned to the city. They marched across the railroad bridge, down Markham street to the State House and thence to their quarters. There was much excitement in town at the news when they come in, ARRIVAL OP THE HATTIE. The steamer Hattie was sighted, with dead, wounded and prisoners on board, about three o’clock in the afternoon. She steamed to the rear Of the State House and moored. She is perfectly riddled with shot, DEATH OF HBUSTON, Heuston, when going up, was protected in the Pilot house by a barricade, but as the current took the boatover he became exposed and was shot. He died in an hour. After the arrival of the boat Drs. Dals and Dibrell went on board and attended’ to the wounded. THE FORCES IN BATTLE, Baxter’s iorces, commanded by Colonel Lapland, were armed with muzzle-loaders. Colonel Brooker was in command of 150 men, under Captains Pinck- ney, Grove, Stowell, Cox and Alken, They are all colored except the officers. They fought well, and accomplished their object to stop the boat and | Prevent her trom going up and attacking Fowler’s raft. Most of Baxter's party were young Southern- ers of good family. BXCITEMENT AND PBAR. The utmost excitement prevails in town, The fight occurred just five miles above the natural to-night. Baxter has extended his picket line. ANOTHER DEATH. | Jackson Blackman, one of Brooks’ militia, died | at the depot from a wound. When he got into the fight Ed. Hueston says he told his brother, who had command of the boat, that he had better turn back or they would all get killed. His clothes were all cut with shot. THE FIRST VOLLEY, Brooks’ men fired the first volley at the pilot house. Some of the shots went clean through the boat, The Baxter men who escaped took their arms with them. They are credited for brave fighting. The sides and decks of the boat were covered with gore. Some of the prisoners say they went for afight. They fired first and find no fault with Brooks’ men. TERRIBLE TIMES EXPECTED. The Baxterites are now at work making scaling ladders, There will be terrible times here bejore Monday. ‘The Brooks party sent @ squad of cavalry up the south side of the river fiis évening to attempt to capture tie party who had escaped from the boat under command of Captain Welsh. The Baxter side sent out a squad of cavalry also to hunt Cap- tain Welsh's party and conduct them to the city. LEGISLATORS STOPPED ON THE TRAINS, Fort Smith trains have been stopped by the Brooksites to prevent any more of the Baxter men and members of the Legislature from reaching the city from that direction, It is also reported to-night that trains on the Cairo and Fuiton Rail- road are to be stopped for the same purpose. The mails were prevented from going South by the Brooksites last night, There has been unusual activity in both camps to-day, and several arrests have been made on both sides, notwithstanding the cartel. PROBABLE QUORUM OF THE LEGISLATURE. A large number of the members of the Legisia- ture are here already, and, unless prevented by the Brooks party by force, there seems little doubt that there will be a quorum in both houses on Monday. There is talk of their meeting at some other point in the State outside of the State House. MORE BROOKSITES KILLED. The latest reports to-night state that four negroes were killed on Colonel Brooker’s side during the attack to-day and a number wounded, Brigadier General Thompson and Colonel Fowler, of the Brooks forces, were captured by the Bax- terites at Clarksville yesterday, Movement by Baxter to Garrison the Penitentiary Outflanked by the Reg- ulars=The Entrenching of the State House Progressing. Sr. Louis, May 8, 1874, A special despatch from Little Rock to the Demo erat corrects jhe statements made in the press report last night, that it requifes the presence of all the Supreme Court Judges to transact business. The State law says that three Judges shall constitute a quorum and be author- ized to hold any term, provided that no decisions shall be made or pronounced without the concur- rence of at least three Judges. The decision yes- terday was signed by four Judges, the remaining Jadge being absent on account of sickness, BAXTER FOILED. Arumor being rife on the street last night that an attempt would be made to capture the Peni- tentlary and make it a fortified stronghoid and the headquarters of the Baxter forces, a small detach- ment of United States troops were sent there to prevent it. A squad of Baxter’s men advanced to within two blocks, but, learning the situation of affairs, retired. ‘THE ENTRENCHING PROGRESSING. Earthworks are still being thrown up in the State House yard at Little Rook, and the ap- proaches are covered by two pieces of artillery loaded with buckshot. A strong stockade has been erected in the rear of the Benjamin Block, which building, together with all the State House buildings opposite, 1s crowded with State militia, and both enclosures, embracing nearly four acres of ground, are full of men, fully armed and provisioned, preparea to withstand not only a determined onset, but a pro- tracted siege. THE CONTROVERSY IN THE CAB. INET. WAasnINaTon, May 8, 1874. The Cabinet was in session for nearly two hours to-day, during which the Arkansas question was under consideration. It was expected that the general government would have made some de- cisiog i response to the mapy applications | Steps. An attack on the State House is expected | INCONSISTENCY OF THE STATE SUPREME COURT. ‘The decision of the Supreme Court favoring the Brooks side of the case, in such direct contradic- tion of its previous decision that the Legisla- ture had exclusive control of the question, has the effect of augmenting the difficulties under which the general government reste in arriving at @ solution of the vexed question. ‘This new phase of the matter was talked of at some length in the Cabinet session, and the re- versal of the former opinion of the Supreme Court of the State occasioned surprise. BETICENCB OF THE CABINET. No member of the Cabinet has made a definite OF positive expression of opinion on the subject. All the papers that have been presented in the case were read to-day. There may be some de- cision to-morrow, but there is no certainty of it, a8 the attorneys of tne different parties are con- tinually sending telegrams and presenting new points and arguments which they are anxious to have considered. A Cabinet officer sald this after- noon that the government was heartily tirea of the controversy. When its decision is made a proclamation will be issued which al) will under- stand must settle the question. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S ATTI- TUDE. tt WASHINGTON, May 8, 1874. It te confidently asserted to-night by the mem- | bers of the Arkansas Congressional delegation that the Attorney General will to-morrow report to the President that in his opinion Brooks is the legal Governor of Arkansas and, as such, entitled to federal recognition. The President will there- War and the Postmaster General, and General Belknap will at once direct that instructions be sent to Colonel Rose, commanding the United ernor Brooks the State arms now stored in the arsenal, and which since the beginning of the trouble Colonel Rose has refused to deliver to either Brooks or Baxter. The Postmaster General Will also order the Postmaster at Little Rock to deliver to Governor Brooks all mail matter ad- dressed to the Governor of Arkansas. This will determine, so far as it can now be done, the ques- tion of who 1s Governor of Arkansas, and, should | there be further disturbance which the Brooks party cannot suppress the Legislature will then have to make the formal appeal to the President for the aid of federal troops to subdue the insur- rection. OPINION OF AN ASSOCIATE §U- PREME JUSTICE. WASHINGTON, May 8, 1874, One of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, in conversation regard- ing the Arkansas trouble, said he did not know read the newspapers, There had been no consul- tation among the Justices about it nor had the matter even been discussed, “But,” said he, “this thought has struck me, and Iam surprised that no one has thought of it in the contest. If the President of the United States has, as is undoubtedly conceded to him, the right to use the United States troops to enforce the laws if necessary, and when two lawless opposing bodies are in imminent Gunger of collision, he can say, ‘Here, gentlemen, 1 Will allow no bloodshed and no armed bodies of men to fight in violation of law. You must there- fore divide and stand back; Iam here by the au- thority of law to prevent it.’ Again, when there 1s a riot and the public peace is broken, the police do not wait untti violence and bloodshed occur before they interfere, but they proceed at once to disperse the mob and arrest them or order them to their homes. It would, therefore, in the same light appear to me that the President could enforce the separate and cease their pretensions in this Ar- Kansas squabble, These are my views expressed on the impulse of the moment, and I don’t know that Iam enurely right; but we are ina delicate Position.” J itseemed to bea fair inference, from the Asso- Clate Justice’s reply as to what he thought of the condition of affairs in Arkansas, that the Presi- dent should have directed both parties, through the United States troops, to disperse, and if they did not at once, proceed to arrest them and take their arms from them. THE SENTIMENTS OF SENATORS, WASHINGTON, May 8, 1874. In order to gain information regarding the feel- ing of the Senate on the question of the political controversy and civil distarbances in Arkansas, your correspondent to-day sought the opinions and sentiments of some of the conspicuous mem- bers of the upper house of Congress, The expressions of ail these Senators which it has been practicable to obtain will be found in detail below. In case the Prest- dent takes no action in the matter, but throws the responsibility upon Congress of working out the puzzle, these views will be of greater signifi- cane than even his own opinions or inclinations, The doubtfulness or decision with which the fol- lowing ideas are expressed is somewhat peculiar to the character, politics or position of each speaker. SENATOR WINDOM, (REPUBLICAN) of Minnesota, says the resis matter looks o Mtle mixed Abd he don't know how it is going to terminate. Ho is goiig to study up the whole Case, and thinks it looks as if it might be brought before the Senate. He seems to be in doubtas to what view to form of the matter until he bas in- formed himself more thoroughly. SENATOR FRELINGHUYSEN, (REPUBLICAN) of New Jersey, asked inquiringly, in response to a question as to what he thought of the news from Arkansas, “Has a demand been made upon the President for assistance, or, in other words, troops ?”? He said he did not know anything him- selfas to what nad been done, but supposed that when the demand was made and the President had concluded which side to recognize then he could send troops to their aid, SENATOR DORSEY, (REPUBLICAN) of Arkansas, had been up to see the President upon receipt of telegrams from Brooks. fle thinks that now the chances of success in this contro, versy are in favor of Brooks, who, he thinks, al- though he was opposed to him during the election, was elected by a majority of over 7,000 votes, and the case isa prima facieone. He says that the people do not want federal interference, as they can take care of the case themselves; if not, he says, let them fight it out themselves. The Presi- dent would sustain the decision of the Supreme Court. He thinks that with this solution of the case he would then do as he did in the Loulstana case—make his proclamation recognizing the side which is sustained by the United States courts, and then leave the contending parties in the State to fight out the issue among themselves in the State courts. SENATOR % CHANDLER, (REPUBLICAN) of Michigan, don’t think he would interfere except to sustain the courts. He looked thoughtmily over the subject, and smiled somewhat as if he thought there was no great occasion for the Sena- torial mind to be exercised about it. SENATOR JOHNSON, (DEMOCRAT) of Virgima, thinks thatthe President will, per- haps, send in a message to the Senate, and he Would Dot think mucb of 18 until it showd come upon communicate this opinion to the Secretary of | States forces at Little Rock, to turn over to Gov- | Much more about it than any one else who had | law rightéully, and make the two contending forces | SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1874—TRIPLE SHEET. before the fedy. He has no doubt the Brooxs government, tego back to the beginning of the thing, is the duly elected government, but that he has been ited out by the Baxter government. He does n@¢ think that the President will do any- thing but send ina message on the matter, and Place the reaponsibility on the Senate; and he thinks there the matrer will rest, The democratic side of the Senate have not said nor thought much. He looks upon the matter as a parallel of the Lou- isiania case as far as Executive and Senatorial ac- tion are concerned. SENATOR RANSOM, (DEMOCRAT) of North Carolina, is not clear as to what shouid be done, but thinks the United Btates government is called on to prevent | bloodshed and loss of life in a State where anarchy prevails, as it does in Arkansas, He is re. minded by the present condition of Arkansas of the change or evolution of government when Rome changed hands under her conqueror ana was sold out by him to the Pretorian Guards in thirty | | @ays, He 18 of the o;inion that something ought | | to be done by the general government, but has no doubt, after all, thatitis@ thing which will work itself out. He does not express any opinion as to Baxter or Brooks except that it seema there is a mixed up state of affairs, a mélange, which must be straightened out, SENATOR TIPTON, (LIBERAL) of Nebraska, says he made the first free State speech ever made in Arkansas, but that after that the largest powers were given to the Governor, and a despotism has since peen organized, This power, he has no doubt, has since been used by Senator Clayton while Governor, and it will be ed again, which is a terrible thing to contem- Plate. He knows Baxter very well, and says that he is an honest man and means to do right; and he also speaks well of Brooks, He does not know, and he has not thought over whether the Executive ought to interfere, but says that something should be done, in the name of the country, to stop bloodshed and to pre- vent any prospect of it. He is very sorry that such a state of affairs exists as at present, in @ free and soverign State, but thinks they should 4 be settled within the jurisdiction of the State. | He evidently feels nonplassed at the problem to be | solved, but has no hope from President Grant, and | says he does not see how he can interfere. SENATOR ALCORN, (REPUBLICAN) of Mississippi, says the dificulty originated in the | Presidential campaign, Brcoks being the Greeley | candidate ana Baxter running on the Grant ticket. Knowing a good deal about the people of | Arkansas, he did what he could for Baxter, whom he regards as the best man for the interests of the people of the State, though Brooks is an able man, @ fine speaker and giited with a goodly share of courage. He does not approve of the call on the United States government for help, as he thinks it humiltating to the Southern people. The Legislature Will convene on Sunday, Baxter will be recognized, and by consequence, he thinks, if neceasary\, to the result aesired, also by the President of United States, or his administra- tion perhapy, more properly. He is of the opinion that the hukest. management of the people’s money will be best subserved by the sustaining of Baxter, who will protect the people from a system. of organized plunder arranged by the cliques there. He thinks that Baxter did not act firmly enough when Brooks came to oust him and in- trade unlawfully upon his office. SENATOR FLANNAGAN, (REPUBLICAN) of Texas, said he was not prepared to give his opinion, as he had not examined into the case fully, He sympathises with the people on general Principles and thinks-that a great deal of pre- caution is to be used before anything 1s done by | the general government. But the President, from | his’ experience In such matters and like dificul- ties, which he has had to settle, will do the right thing and be equal to the emergency. The mor- tality arising from any encvunter will be more disastrous among the colored than the white peo- ple, though the latter of course would share in the unfortunate bioodshed. He looked upon the whole matter as one of the weaknesses of human nature which will correct itself shortly. He does not look upon it as generally alarming, and he has not made up bis mind as to the best thing to be done. ‘S°SENATOR: FENTON, (LIBERAL) | of New ‘York, says he has been seek- ing information on the subject; out thinks from what he has learned that a great out rage had been committed, both when Brooks, who is the legally elected Governor, was superseded by being countea out, and when in turn he ousted Baxter from the office. Judging the President from the past and his facility in arranging such matters, Senator Fenton supposes he will have no difficulty in finding a way to interfere, though he thinks it is @ sad commentary on the requirements of our government that sucti @ state of affairs should exist and require such correctives. His conciusion is, with the light he has, that it will prove a case of Executive inter- ference, though he deplores the lawless condition of things and the calamity it must bring. Some- thing should be done to prevent further bloodshed. | SENATOR BAYARD, (DEMOCRAT) | of Delaware, says:—“After all, the laws which | must govern men, or which should govern them, | are the unwritten laws—those which they learn in | early lite from their mothers and the other guar- | dians of their morals; the laws of self-respect, conscience and common sense, as well as a respect | for the opinions of othere—and if Baxter and | Brooks were such men as are controlled by the | laws of self-respect and respect for the laws of | society and the opinion of the world they would never have acted as they have and would have settled the controversy among themselves, It was | these influences which drove the early Colonies into rebellion and to settle their difficulties, But | when such men as Whittemore, the convicted | cadet broker—and who was not allowed to resign, | but was kicked out of Congress—came up from South Carolina in regard to that State, he was | taken by the hand at the President’s house, and although he is not fit to be in agentleman’s dining | room when there is plate on the sideboard or a | pocketbook lying on the table, what are you going to do when such mea are allowed to speak for a State, and what can be expected of such men as ne isin Arkansas? But he world not notice men who came here steeped jn every crime and sought to buy their places {n positions of public trust, and | these remarks might apply to those who have gotten up the disgraceful dimculty in Arkansas. He was out of patience with it and would not ex- press an opinion as to what should be done. SENATOR WADLEIGH, (REPUBLICAN), | of New Hampshire, says he has not enough of the | facta to form an opinion, and he does not know | what ought to be done. He seemed to look on the | matter regretiully. He thinks the United states troops should be kept on hand to protect innocent people, because if they were withdrawn thero would be many sure to suffer, and perhaps it would | be the means of inaugurating @ state of war. He does not seem to have examined into the facts in applying Executive or State interference by | force of arms if it could be done lawtuilly. SENATOR 0. P. MORTON, (REPUBLICAN) of Indiana, says he does not know much about the | facts, but thinkg it a bad state of things, He re- sponded significantly in confirmation of the optn- | ion that the people of Arkansas seem to be out. | stripping the past extraordinary action of the people of Louistana. | SENATOR MBRRIMON, (DEMOCRAT) | of North Carolina, thinks the only thing to do is | to recognize the Baxter government, which is the only ascertained legal government. This has been decided by the Legistature, and, whether wrong- fully or not, we have no right vo go benind it. The decision of the Judge in the Court has no more weight than if he (Merrimon) alone signed it. The regular laws of a State are to be recognized, | Raveton, May 8, 1874 George McCauley, ® State Senator from Inde+ pendence and Van Buren counties in Arkansas, and a former resident of this State, arrived here Yesterday on & visit to his friends. He left Little Rock @ week ago, and he gives a democratic in- sight into affairs in that disturbea State. SKETCH OF BROOKS. He statep that Brooks, one of the belligerent | thoroughly, but would go as far as any one either | “4 Governors, is about sixty years of age, six feet two inches in height, iron framed, of splendid in- tellect, one of the ugliest men ever seen; bat when aroused is as determined and plucky a# any man you ever met. He 1s @ North- ener, He made the Greeley fight in Arkansas, and the democrats and conservatives accepted his platiorm and made a joint fight with him. The Little Rock Gazette was bought up by Baxter, the Opposition republican, to turn Bourbon and to split the Brooks party. Baxter has since given the Gazette the public printing for two counties, and it i generally oelieved that it got $16,000 besides. Brooks was elected by a large jority, even making a large allowance for frauds and scratchings. Clayton ran the machine jor Baxter, and sent out men to bribe the Reg'sters to scratch oi names sufficient to carry the state. ELISHA BAXTER is @ native of Tennessee and a brother of Jonn Baxter, @ very worthy citizen of that State. Baxter went to Arkansas in 1854, and he has run for every office, irom magistrate up, and has been elected to none. He ia about M{ty-two years old, very fine looking, with a blank, expressionless kind of character and very smooth teatured. He was @ strong Confederate when the war broke out, made flaming war speeches, and was commissary for @ time in Colonel De Sta’s regiment. He utterwards DESERTED TO THE YANKS, and at tne close of the war he was made register in bankruptcy. Alter the election the votes were counted out by the President of the Senate, not in the presence of both houses, but only a few were present,, and Baxter elf was of the umber. Chief Justice John McClure, familiarly called “Poker Jack,” administered the oath of oMce on the spot, and soon afterwards administered the same oath of office to Brooks, “and,” said Mr. Mc- Cauley, “if could fip them both out and offer a on ‘eration he would administer the same oath me. ‘The Senator exhibited a red ticket, with “Admit” written on it, that be had to get trom Colonel Johnson, Baxter's Secretary, before he could pass Pm aon at the Capitol gate to take nis seat in omice. THE PRESIDENT ON FINANCE. Views on the Veto and Mone‘ary Affairs as Ex- pressed to a Bostonian. Boston, May 8,°1874. A gentleman from this city called upon President Grant last Mouday to thank him for his veto mes- sage and the beneficial effect it had exerted upon the finances of the country at home and abroad, When the report of Mr. William Gray of his tnter- view with the President was made the subject of conversation, An account of this later inter- view in the Journal states that the President re- marked that Mr. Gray had given a very correct impreasion of the interview, aithough it was not expected that it could have been reported in the precise language. He said, as to the original legal tender acts, they were not now open for consider- ation, or even criticism; that when they were adopted they were adopted by loyal men for the salvation of the country, and with them the war had been successfully carried through, and it was only with that success and the results growing out of it that we had any country, or currency either, to regulate. This, the President said, was the point that he himself had uppermost in his mind, and which he intended to impress upon Mr. Gray and those be represented. On the question of using the reserve Jor tue purchase Ot jong bonds he said that what he wished particularly to present was the fact that as the taxation was then pro- ducing a revenue in excess of expenditure, and still the national credit abroad and at home was not directly strengthened by that tact, he had fixed upon the policy of buying, or, in other words, pay- ing the long bonds, for the reason toa: this im- roved the credit of the nation wherever these da were held, which extended throughout the financial world; and the bonds, moreover, them- selves were then overdue im one sense, as they | had then become payable at the option of the gov. ernment, and the government waving a surpius of revenue, this option to pay became a legal obiiga- tion. The President further said that he was in Javor of going further than Mr. Gray or his com- mittee had suggested, and it was merely iollow! out the same line of policy. He said the ie tender acts themselves suould now be re; ; they bad worked out their whole office; they had carried the country through the war, and were no longer necessary, and he hoped that Congress, during its present session, woula REPEAL ALL THE LEGAL TENDER ACTS, such repeal to take effect January 1, 1675, and that thereaiter all contracts should be made on @ gold basis. He said it would seem tnat this could be done without any disturbance of the commercial or financial interests of the country, and once ac- complished, all en. to infiawoa was ended. As to the raking ay rout New Bagiand te excess of bank circulation, he said banks ‘rom ths East were now returuing withdrawing their bonds much more ts om than from est and the “80 th 4 ‘ee rouse one He — u yu ior cH ie mon’ the amount of circulation the would show within the last iow that more than double had been reiurned from vhe Kast that was asked for by the South ana West. He suid that ne did not think the Currency bill, if ne bad i, would have produced infation, in the present con- dition of the country, as there was no ior additional curreucy and no use ior @ large propor- tion of what we now bad; but the danger waain the future, and it was a step in the wrong direo- tion, that any increase of irredeemable ed would injure vitally the national credit, while, on the otner rand, an unlimited o1 redeemable currency couid do no harm. HE WAS IN FAVOR OF FREE BANKING, but with it and as an inseparable accompaniment, insisted that we should have redemption, and he was willing to give to the West aud South free beep based on redemption, and this he wished and had taken pains that his friends in those sec- tions should understand. The President he was in constant receipt of communications from business men, bankers and public men at the West and South, expressing on the part of the writers their original anxiety for the passage of this biil, or some similar measure, as @ means of relief at the present time; out nearly all of them assured him that the effect of the mes sage had been to restore confidence and give permanence to the future course of the government, that was iuily a8 great a relief and more satisfactory to business interests, He turther said that while his communications from New York and the East were almost all in approval Of his course, the action of the South and West was nearly as unanimous, and irom wil this he hoped the very best results to the country, and ver; likely the benefits would far exceed the expecta: tions of any one. The President seemed as de- cided in reference to his juture action ag he hud been tn the past. He expressed the greatest kind- ness towards all parties, especially those who might have telt disappointed at the course wich duty had compelled nim to take. THE SWING HERESY TRIAL, A Protest Against the Action of the Presbytery—The Defence Closes Its © Cnrcaco, Ill., May 8, 1874. The Swing trial was resumed in the Chicago Presbytery to-day, ana several elders of Professor Swing’s church testified that he had been diligent | and faithful in preaching evangehcal aud Presby- terian doctrines, Dr, Swazey, for himself and some other members | of the Presbytery, submitted a protest against the action of the Presbytery in receiving the eee and specifications against the accused, in that they are defective tn 10) " conclusion, ed declared the course of justice and the dignity the Presbytery compromised b, going to trial on such an indictment. Rev. Mr. Mathers presented the report of the committee giving the reasons jor reusing the application and Rev. Mr. Noyes, as counsel for the accused, then announced that he would rest his cage. alzo‘proposed to submit the case without arga- ment, dat to this Protessor Patton would not ree, ‘The Presbytery then adjourned until Tuesaay, when the argument wiil A VERDIOT OF MURDER. PROVIDEN og, R. L, May 8, 1874. ‘The Coroner’s Jury in the case of George Ww. Whaley, who was struck a blow on the head ina rumshop by the barkeeper, and died immediately, iD. | rendered a verdict of “Murder” against John J, the barkeeper. The blow ruptured a hood vessel at the ‘lase of ‘the bratn, tie imme. diate cause of injury being a seai ring on Feoner’s flnger. saialial SOUTHERN BAPTIST OONVENTION. JEFFERSON, Texas, May 8, 1874, ‘The Southern Baptist Convention is in session bere. About 300 delegates are present, James P. Boyce, D.v., of Louisville, presiding; Urs. Bor- Richmond, Jones of Nashville, Crane of Terma hereto of Georgia, Vice Presidents, Keports of the Foreign and Domestic Mission Boards were presented. Boston, Mass., May 8, 1874, Thea Boston Herald has been sued for $30,000 dam alleged to have been caused ©. 0. Gott, of Fite: by an article in that ir, purport Vo be u thatory of the Coral Guay? PUP ‘The plaintuf? claims that the allegations in the article were untrue, and the deieudant contends that the charges therein made were authentic and the publication made without malice, and substance, and in | ra continuance of Professor Patton, | 3 WASHINGTON. A Reconstructed Confederate in Favor of the Third Term. DEBATE ON THE GENEVA AWARD, Report on the Progress of the In- dian Peace Policy. WASHINGTON, May 8, 1874. Postmaster Burt, of Boston, and Colonel Mosby in Favor of «a Third Term for Grant. Postmaster Burt, of Boston, is not only in favor of @ third term for Grant, but is using his ffu~ ence to make converts among Southern repubil- cans, Colonel Moaby is also in favor ofs third term, his ticket being Grant and Kemper, on this issue he proposes to take the stump in Vir- ginia and ran for Congress from the Eighth dis- trict next fall. The Debate on the Geneva Award Bill. The discussion of the Geneva Award bill in the Senate commenced to-day, and the attorneys of insurance companies and original claimants were in the lobby in force. The Senate may pass ite bill, but the House Judiciary Committee will not consent to report itto the House in the form in which it comes from the Senate. It is doubtful now whether any bill can be pressed through Con- gress this session affecting the award. Wailing Over the Defeat of the Centen= nial Appropriation Bill. The Centennial appropriation bill ‘was recom. mitted to the Centennial Committee to-day, and will hardly be heard from again this session, The Pennsylvania delegation are now divided, and, being mortified at their defeat, blame one another | for the fate the bill nas suffered, Most of thent admit that the chance of forming new conbina- tions is past. Some opposed the bill because they feared defeat {for a renomination and @ re-election; others because they were op- posed to increasing the expenses of the government. Southern democrats opposed 1¢ because Congress had not shown a willingness to pass @ universal amnesty bill, or because veterans ofthe wars of 1812 and 1846 were deprived of pene si0ns on account of fealty to the confederacy, ana that it would be a mockery to vote money fora centennial love feast with all these proscriptions still on the statute book. The friends of tie Measure hope something favorable may occur to help them out of the dimMculty this action of the House has placed them in. The Bill Regarding the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company. The bili to-day reported from the Banking an@ Currency Committee amending the charter of the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company, embodies the suggestions of the President and Trustees of the bank, and will enable them to close up the non-paying brancties witnout delay when the bil shall have become a law. TQ Condition and Temper of the In- dians—Agents Saville and Howard Acquitted of the Charges Against Them—Success of the Peace Policy. It will be recollected that serious charges were ; Some time ago made against Dr. J. S.Savilie, agent for the Sioux at the Red Cloud agency, and &. A. Howard, agent at the Whetstone agency, the person preferring them being Mr. Samuel Walker, of the Board of Indian Commissioners, ‘The com- | missioners appointed by the Secretary o! tne Ine | terior to investigate these charges, which consisi- | ed of the Right Rev. Bishop W, H. Hare, mission- ary bishop of Niobrara; Rev. §. J. Hinman, mis- sionary to the Santee Sioux, Dr. J. D. Brevior, | ome of the five Indian inspectors, and F. H. | Smmth, a member of the Board of Commissioners, have made their report, and the result of itis thas. these wharges, like those that preceded them, are proved to be irivolous and groundless, The Vom- Miasioners report that the Red Cloud and Whet- stone agencies of the Sioux are the resorts of mul- tttudes of Northern Indt«ns, variously estimated at from 10,000 to 15,000 in number, who come there in the winter to avail themselves of tne government rations dispensed at those agencies, These In- dians are turbulent and uuruly, and, combined ‘With 11,000 to 12 000 Indiavs who properly belong to those agencies, give a vast amount of trouble to the agents, and utterly dety all attempts to count them with a view ofissuing only the lawful number | Ofrations. The impossibility of ascertaining the real number of Indians at these agencies accounts, | im the opinion of the Commissioners, for ihe | over-issue order; but they could not find that more leaf had been issued than was used, and they o Meve that none has been wasted. They aiso think that the substitution of corn tor flour is very- ac- ceptable to the Indians, and it meets with taeir own approval. In conclusion the Commissioners sum up the results of their inquiry as iollows:. The jate disturbances are not indicative of prep | Fattons for war. The present policy is accom- Plishing the results desired. Guns were not prom. | Ised to vhe Indians, The removal of the Upper | Brules to the Missouri is of doubtful wiedom. Am- | munition has not neen noarded for war. Agonts sa- vule and Howard are exonerated, and it is declared deserve confidence and commendation. Beet lus | been over-issued, but the agents could not ayoia it. Flour has been wasted, but the agenis wee not blamable therefor. Spotted Tail’s complaints | at Cheyenne were not justifiable. Supplies o! ail | kinds are wholesome and of at least fair quality. | They algo recommend that the agents at these points and among all of the wilder Sloux be sup- ported by a military force, which should be located | atashort aistance from the agencies. That am | agency be provided for the Northern Sioux and | that no rations be issued to them elsewhere, and | shat a delegation of them be induced to visit | Washington. That agents be instructed to carry | out article 1 of the ‘Treaty of 1663, That the north. ern line of Nebraska be run this summer. That a liverai present of clothing material be made to the | Upper Brules and Ogallallas for surrendering their right to hunt on the Republican and the neutral ground, That the agent at Whetsone be instructed to issue rations to no band which refuses to be | counted, and that he commission be authorised | to select a place for an agency to have military | protection. That all provisions be issued only oa orders to be recorded in books which shall be ti | property of the government, and not of the agent, | Y | phat all packages consigned to agents under cone | tract have the Indian Bureau brand, and that | the Sioux should be removed as soon as practicable | to @ sot! and climate less discouraging to their | efforts at husbandry, | The Percentage of Receipts Duc the Govs ernment from the Pacife Kathway Companies. The House Committee on ‘Pacific Railroads to- | day unanimonsly agreed to report and recom. mend the passage of a bill directing the Secretary of the Treasury to demand irom eacho/ the Paciic Railroad companies the immediate payment of the five per cent per annum of their respective new receipts required by law to be paid oven to the government and applied to the liquidation of the interest on thet bonds. The bill will also contain a provision «i- recting the Attorney General to commence pro- ceedings to enforce the payment of this five pet cent in case the demand of the Secretary of the Treasury be not complhed with, The legisiation of the last Congress merely authorized the Attor~ ney General to commence such proceedings. This bill proposes to enact a positive requirement effect the same object. REPORTED LORS OF A BRIG. ATLantic Orry, N. J., May 8, 1874, Aman calling himself Alexander BH, Rambo, @ passenger on the brig liza Stevens, of Portland or Bangor, Me., from Kingston, Jam., for New Yorks swam ashore last nignt. He says the brig wad run down by asteamer. When he got on deck he found that the wreck had been abandoned and + rowing away. After waiting for some tmehe gor jank and swam for Absecom light, lending abont eleven o’clonk,