The New York Herald Newspaper, January 24, 1876, Page 5

ANTONELLI. NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, JANUARY 24; 1876. re FRANCIS DEAK, ‘THE CARDINAL SECRETARY SERIOUSLY 1. | rye HUNGARIAN STATESMAN AT THE POINT (SPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD BY CABLE. ] Rome, Jan. 23, 1876. His Eminence Cardinal Antonelli, Secre- tary of State to the Holy See, is in bad health. Much anxiety has been felt within the past forty-eight hours with respect to his condition and probable result of his ill- ness. Cardinal Antonelli is on the eve of the Seventieth year of his age, having been born on the 2d of April, in the year 1806, He was created Cardinal of the Order of Deacons on the 11th ot June, 1847. CHEVALIER ROSSI. PUBLIC CREMATION OF HIS CORPSE IN ITALY. [SPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD BY CABLE. ] Rome, Jan. 23, 1876. The cremation of the corpse of the late Chevalier Rossi was conducted publicly in the Monumental Cemetery, at Milan, to-day. THE WAR IN TURKEY. TURKISH OPERATIONS FOR THE RELIEF OF ‘TREBIGNE. RaGosa, Jan, 23, 1876. The Turkish troops in Herzegovina are concentrating for the purpose of attempting to revictual Trebigne, ‘THE SERVIAN LEGISLATURE PREPARING FOR HOSTILITIES. Bercrape, Jan. 22, 1876, The Skuptechina to-day unanimously adopted the war estimates, ‘THE INSURGENT LEADER RESIGNS HIS COM- MAND. ‘ Lowpow, Jan. 24, 1876, The Standard’s Vienna despatch says the report that ‘ubmayer, leader of tho insurgents in Northwest Bosnia, had beon assassinated contradicted; but Hubmayer has resigned his command, THE EASTERN QUESTION. ‘THE GREAT POWERS’ POLICY NOT HARMONIZED BY THE AUSTRIAN NOTE. Lonpon, Jan. 23, 1876, The Pester Lloyd (newspaper) asserts that not only ‘England, but all tho Powers, have retained entire free- dom of action in regard to events arising after the prosentation of Count Andrassy’s note to the Porte. THE SPANISH ELECTIONS. & GOVERNMENT MAJORITY—THE CORTES MIN- OBITY VERY MIXED. Mapmp, Jan. 23, 1876. The Ministerialists have secured a considerable ma” jority in the new Cortes, The minority will consist of about seventy constitu, tionalists, radicals, moderates, historicos and others, "FRANCE. ‘SENATORIAL DELEGATES IN COUNCIL—- POLITIOAL DIVISION CAUSED BY THE RADICALS, Paris, Jan. 23, 1876. A second meeting of the Senatorial delegates of the Department of the Seine was held to-day. MM. Labou- “aye, Thiers, Hugo and Gambetta were present, The meeting failed to complete the list of candidates Yor the Senate, the radicals opposing the suggestion of Gambetta and Laboulaye that the list be made to repre- sent the three groups of the Left. A motion was made by M. Gambetta that the dis- cussion be adjourned until Wednesday, which was edopted. THE PRIZE PLAYS IN PARIS. HE MICHAELIS COMPETITION IN AWARDS— MERITS OF THE DRAMATIC ELUCIDATION OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Patus, Jan. 23, 1876, The jury in the Michaelis competition for plays on ‘the subject of the American Revolution awarded no ‘irst prize, fearing that the public would not ratify their decision. ‘THE SUCCESSPUL WORKS—THE WRITERS. The two pieces to which the second prize was awarded Ahe jury agree in pronouncing remarkable works, pos- acssing great merit. That entitled ‘A Great Citizen’’ 1s the joint produc- ‘tion of MM. Armand Artois and Lafaille, the latter be- 4ng the pseudonyme of the well known poet, Frangois ‘Coppée. The play, “The New World,” is by Villiers Lisle Adam, and “Freo America,” by Adolphe Michel. 4 FOURTH PixcE, A fourth production, entitled “The Patriots,” is writ- wen by an American, who takes the name of ‘Fer- mando Armand.” It is described as full of movement ‘and life, but deviates from the programme laid down. 41 ts believed it will ENGLAND. THIRTEEN PERSONS KILLED BY THE LATEST BAILWAY COLLISION— MR. BOUCICAULT'S GRIEF. Loypow, Jan. 23, 1876. ‘The total number of killed in the railway accident acar Huntingdon fs thirteen. Among the dead ts a son of Dion Boucicaalt. JOHN BRIGHT. "1K VETERAN REFORMER ADDRESSES THE BIRMINGHAM CONSTITUENCY—HIS OPINION OF THE SLAVE CIRCULAR—WHAT MAY BE DONE FOR THE WHITE SLAVES OF BRITAIN— ELECTORAL BRRPLIES, . Loxspor, Jan. 23, 1876. John Bright and his colleagues in Parliament, Mesars. Oixon and Muntz, addressed their constituents in Bir- mingham lst night. ‘MX, BRIGHT ON THE SLAVERY OF BLACKS AND Waites, Mr. Bright im bis speech passed over the question of the slave circular issued bythe Admiralty. The mat- ter was pot 0 casy a8 Bome BUPposed. He questioned, however, whether it was necessary for the government to meddle with it, He hoped they would explain that affair and the Suez Canal purchase satisfactorily, Mr. Bright confined himself almost entirely to reply- ingto Lord Derby’s speech at Eainburgh. He at- tacked the law of primogeniture and the monopoliza- tion of iand by a few great landholders, and argued that the possessors of the land should be empowered to be- queath it as they pleased. WHAT THE LIBERAL PARTY SHOULD DO. Referring to the future policy of the liberals, he ad- ‘vocated the assimijasion of the county to the borough franchise, He pointed to Birmingham, with 60,000 electors, returning three members of Parliament, ‘while there wore seventy members whose united con- atituencics nambered less than 60,000, Therefore s redistribution of seats was necessary. Mr. Bright con- eluded as ‘follows:—“What I. ask you to undertake is to strengthen and confirm your own power by e: fending your franchise and rights to your fellow coun- ‘rymen in the counties. Give the freedom you enjoy to those who are now excluded. Give thenf also froe- dom of the soil on which they live.” Mr. George Dixon and Mr, Muntz made speeches, ELECTORAL OPINION. A vote of confidence in the representatives of Birm- ‘agham tn Parliament was carried by acclamation, ‘Two amendments were moved, one condemning the action of the members in regard to direct representa- tion of labor, and another denouncing their action on the Tichborne question, but the movers were silenced ‘by tho aproar which greeted them. A GRACRPUL RxPLaNation. ~ Mr. Bright explained that he disapproved putting ap candidates for Parliament as especially representing the workingmen, because having throughout his career aimed to get rid of Classes and to have the People work as one nation he thought it tnopportuna, Mow that obiect was attained, to revive class divisions, OF DEATH. Loxvon, Jan. 24, 1876, A Vienna despatch to the Standard says:—‘“The illness of Francis Deak, the Hungarian statesman, threatens to terminate fatally, and the sacrament of extreme unction has already been administered to him.” ROWDYISM AT THE MINES. MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF A DISSIPATED MINER— THREATENING CONDUCT OF HIS FELLOW WORK- MEN—THE CITIZENS ORGANIZED FOR DEFENCE. Wresseatae, Pa, Jan. 23, 1876 ‘The village of Nanticoke, a mining locality about nine miles from this city, has been the scene of a fear- ful excitement to-day, and the people are apprehensive that deeds of violence may ensue during the night, Last week the monthly pay took place, and, as Is too frequently the case on such occasions, more or less of the Nanticoke miners started off on a regular round of the drinking places, Last evening @ man named MacDonald, who had been drinking heavily during the day, was on the streets very pl intoxicated, and disposed to enter upon a quarrel or fight witheany one whom he chanced to meet. About ten o'clock Mac- Donald fell into the hands of the police and was placed in the lockup. This morning the prisoner was found lying on the floor of the cell COLD IN DRATH. His hands were placed under his bead, and, at first, the officers thought that he was only sleeping soundly, but closer investigation revealed the fact that the un- fortunate maa hi to bis dnal account, The news of MacDonald's death spread through the village with the speed of wildfire, the station house was soon besieged by hundreds of excited and half-trenzied miners, who utterea most ALARMING THREATS against the captors of their fellow workman. This af- vernoon the popalar agitation was unabated ana large crowds might be seen angrily discussing the causes which induced the death of ¢! eneral Mac- was using her only means of freeing his system from the effects of the poison which he had taken, The au- thorities nave adopted all possible means for avert- ing ® popular outbreak, and it is believed that the po- lice force ts sufficient to QUELL ANY DISTURRANGE that may occur. Nanticoke has not enjoyed a very en- viable reputation lately, and it is pretty generally con- sidered to be the juarters of the Molly M: es im this section. A short time since a party the Mollies, it ts all was di to murder the bar- ke of Mr, Wernet. At all events, an attempt was = to take bey life in the eigise of) the hotel. 1 courage and physical powers of the young man, with the aid of his friends, aeever, Proved too much for the would be assassins, and thoy failed to carry out their vloody design. The event at Wernet’s was suf- ficient, however, to arouse the citizens generally to a sense of their insecurity, and they have joined to- gether Acpeion Wess of 10 can omptl ized, police force of men was promptly organiz and the number can be considerably augmented at a few minutes’ notice. A night patrol has been established, and no person is allowed to be about the town after nine o’clock without giving a fair reason for being abroad. To-night the place be under a mild sort of law, and due vigilance will be exercised until the present fever of excitement has subsided ‘The five weeks’ rest which is to commence among the miners on the 7th of next month will cause no em- barrassment to them or to the business men of the anthracite coal flelds. It is thought to be a wise and good movement of the coal companies. It removes tho uncertainty which prevailed previous to the decision of the corporations and will have the advantage of mak- ing the coal production steady instead of fitful. All ape are now expecting a lively spring and summer usiness. CHICAGO'S CROOKED OPERATORS. FORMIDABLE INDICTMENTS IN PREPARATION BY THB GOVERNMENT OFFICERS—THE IMPLI- CATED AND THE IMPLICATIONS, Cmicaao, Jan. 28, 1876. The special counsel of the government for the whis- key cases and the assistants of the District Attorney’s office were engaged on Saturday in drawing up hugo in- dictments against Hesing, Rehm and Miller. Those against Hesing and Rebm will be very formidable docu- ments, containing many counts. Their leading points have been foreshadowed in the Hxratp’s despatches gonoeraing the testimony given before the Grand ury. = THE BASE OF THR INDICUCENTS. Miller will be indicted as naving b¢ secretly inter- ested in Cooper’s distillery and baving bought crooked spirits from Golsen and Eastman at eduction of twenty cents per gallon, The spirits were covered out by stamps previously used and fraudulently removed by Golsen, Miller’s son-in-law, Fred. id, was also invoived tn these transactions, being Interested in Cooper's distillery. Unless the grangers of the Grand Jury are again too lazy to work, these indictments will probably be presented next week. HANGED BY A MOB. TERRIBLE VENGEANCE FOR A HUSBAND'S MUR- DER—THRE WIFE'S PARAMOUR TAKEN FROM THE JAIL AND HANGED TO A TREE—NARROW ESCAPE OF THE WOMAN. Cixcixatt, Jan, 23, 1876. A special to the Gazette says:—Edward Williams, who, with Mrs, Meeling, was arrested for the murder of the latter's husband, was taken from the jail last night at Barboursville, W. Va., and hanged by amob. The prisoners were assured by a minister that sufficient evidence of their guilt had been obtained and that the o was surrounded by a mob of excited people, but oth denied all complicity in the act, although th minister continued praying with them and asking for confession. The mob Goally FORCED THE KEYS from the jatior, took Willi out and placed him ander a tree in the Court House yard, where, with a rope around his neck and be standing on a barrel, be made a confession. He expressed a hope that the mob myght obtain God’s forgiveness for their crime, ashe had for hi d declared he was happtly started on hi He died after Afteen minutes of terri- is, home to heaven. ble agony. WOMAN BROUGHT OUT. Mrs. Moeling was then brought out, Se dines ee her in front of the dead murderer, the crowd called tor ber confession. She said Williams had been her paramour for three years; that she had been trying for the past three months to poison her husband without success; ‘that Williams struck Meeling on the head with an axe while he was on Wednesday night, afterward cutting his throat; she assisted in rei Hr the evr dences of the murder and in burying Meeling; she accused hergelf of being ‘THE CAUSE OF THR MURDER, but begged pitifully for lite, Though the feeling was very strong against her and the crowd voted unani- mously for execation, 50 man could be found who wonld put the rope around a woman's neck, and she was returned to jail. Williams’ body was left hanging til tt was cut down by the authorities this morning. THE DESTRUCTIVE ELEMENT. A CHURCH BUBNED TO THE GROUND. Rockvitta Carre, L. I., Jan. 23, 1876, ‘The First Reformed church of Rockville Centre, Long Island, took fire this afternoon at four o’clock and was burned to the ground. The loss ts estimated at about $14,000, The Sunday school was in, but all es- caped. None injured. PICTURE FRAME AND MOLDING WORKS BURNED. Woncarsren, Mass., Jan. 23, 1876 ‘The extensive pictare frame and molding works of Rass, Eddy & Co., in this city, were badly damaged by fire, which started in a Jot of black walnut lumber tn the dry house this hmeten | Pie logs is estimated at Amazon, of Cincinnati; Alliance, of New York; People’s, of Newark; rehants’, of Providence, $1,000 each. The Roval, of Liverpoo!; Aina, of lartford; Gloucester, of Gloucesier; Stand- ard, of New York, $1, 500 each. MACHINE SHOP DESTROYED. Coxoonn, N. H., Jan. 23, 1876. The machine shop of Woodman Brothers was de- stroyed by fire on Saturday night. Loss, $2,000. FIRE IN A BONDED WAREHOUSE. ParmaveLruis, Pa, Jan. 25, 1876 The fire which broke out early this morning in the THE STATE CAPITAL, TUR QUESTION OF THE LEGALITY OF WAR- BANTS SIGNED BY THR WEW CANAL AU- DITOR. Avpayy, Jan. 23, 1876. ‘The statemont sent from here that State Treasurer Rosa declined to rocogmize the warrants of Canal aa ditor Schuyler on the grounds that he doubtea tne le olding thi it WASHINGTON. Alleged Impracticability of the Re- sumption Act, SIGNIFICANT PETITION OF MERCHANTS. Mr. Pinchback’s Claims to the Louisi- ana Senatorship. THE FRAUDULENT MAIL BIDS A Chapter in the History of the Babcock Prosecution. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasurnoton, Jan. 23, 1876. THE LOUISIANA SENATORSHIP—-THE CLAIMS OF PINCHBACK 4S SHOWN IN THE HISTORY OF THE LYNCH BETURNING BOARD—THE USES OF UNITED STATES TROOPS IN THE SOUTH. The question of the Louisiana Senatorship will prob- ably come up before the Senate in a shape in which it may be decided, at least, that the State shall have two Senators. For three years it has had but one, Mr. Pinchback having been all that time cooling his heels in the waiting room. Mr. Eustis, who has just been elected, appears as the choice, made in strict accord- ance with the law, ofa Legislature whose right to sit neither party in Louisiana or here disputes. If the Senate rejects Pinchback it must admit Eustis, it would seem. Pinchback was sent to the Senate by a Legislature constituted, as a committee of the United States Senate reported, by fraud and violence. The conservatives claimed in 1872 to have carried the State and to have electoda majority of the General Assem- bly. To oppose their possession, on the republican side, four persons, constituting what was known asthe Lynch Returning Board, improvised a set of election re- turns—not having a single scrap of an official return from any precinct in the State—showing the election of Kellogg and his ticket and a large majority of republican members of the General Assembly. In the meantime Kellogg went before Judge Durell, and, under cover ofan order in chancery to perpetuate testimony in a suit which he swore that he intended to bring but which he has never brought, obtained decision declaring the Lynch Board to be the legal board, and Antoine, colored candidate for Lieutenant Governor, procured from the same judge an injunction restraining all per- sons not declared elected by the Lynch Board from acting as members of the Legislature In order to make these proceedings effective Durell issued his notorious ‘‘midnight order” directing the United States Marshal to seize the State House, and that offi- celal, supported by United States troops and furnished with a list of the members who were to constitute the Kollogg Legislature, did accordingly take possession of the State House and proceeded, as instructed, to om- panel a Legislature, The body thug gonstituted im- peached Governor Warmoth and installed Pinchback in his place, and at a subsequent period elected that per- son to the piace in the Senate made vacant by the expi- ration of Kellogg’s term. During that winter the Louisiana case was brought before the Senate and referred to the Committee on Privileges and Elections, of which Mr. Morton was the chairman and of which Messrs, Logan, Anthony, Carpenter, Hill, Trumbull and = Alcorn—s Wore. the other members, The majority of that committee, composed of Messra, Carpenter, Anthony, Logan and Alcorn, in their report to the Senate refer in the following terms to Judge Durell’s conduct in issuing the “midnight order’ :— It ts impossible to conceive of @ more irregular, ille- al and in every way inexcusable act on the part of a udge. Conceding the power of the Court to make such an order, the Judge out of Court bad no more authority to make It than bad the Marshal. It has not even the form of judicial process. It was not sealed nor was it signed by the Clerk, and bad no more legal effect than an order issued by any private citizen. And concerning the restraining order directed against the members of the General Assembly the same report says:— Here was a restraining order, having the force of ‘an injunction, issued for no purpose under heaven ex- cept to control the organization of the Legisiature and compel the seating of those mbers who had been returned and cortified to by the Lynch Board and ex- clude those who had been certified by the De Feriet Board. When we consider that the act of Congress under which this proceeding was !nstituted by express words excludes members of the State Legislature from | the right to maintain any proceedings in a federal court to obtain their seais, even if they have been defeated and deprived of their rights because citizens bave been denied the right to vote on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude, and that the State House was held by tederal troops under the unlawful and void order of Judgo Durell hereinbefore set forth, which order commandea the Mar shal to prevent ali unlawful assemblage therein under the guise or pretext of authority claimed by virtue of retended canvass and returns made by the said DeFereit |, We can commprebend the full force and effect of the additional restraining orders in the Antoino case. Referring to the Lynch Board, the report says:— There is nothing in all the comedy of blunders and frauds under consideration moro indefensible than the pretended canvass of this board, Mr. Trumball, of the same committee, in his report said:— Tho history of the world does not furnish a more rarer instance of usurpation than that oy which juchback was made Governor and the persons re- turned by the Lynch Board—the Jogisiature of Louisiana, * * * This pretended Legislature, in- stalled in power by the wid of the United States Army im pursuance of a void order of a United States Dis- trict Judge, proceeded to elect John Ray (and atver- ward Pinchback) to represent the State of Louisiana in the Senate of the United States. Mr. Joshua Hill, of the same committee, refers as fol- lows to Judge Daurell’s orders and the consequences flowing from them :— What boots it to rebuke the illegal and tyrannical assumptions of a judge if his orders und decrees must have all the effect he designed to givo them? Of what consequence is it that his violations of law should be reviewed and censured if the effect is the same as though he had not exceeded bis jurisdiction and abused the authority of bis office? And finally Senator Morton, no less emphatically than his colleagues on the committee, thus condemns the conduct of Judge Durell, leaving no room to doubt that in his mind the pretended Legislature organized under Durell’s orders bad no valid authority or legal existence :-— The conductof Judge Durell, sitting in the Circuit Court of the United States, cannot be justitied or de- fended. He grossly exceeded his jurisdiction and as- gamed the exercise of powers to which he could lay no claim. * * * But the pretence that in s suit to perpetuate testimony the Coart could be- yond the natural and reasonable jurisdiction to decide who constituted the legal Return- ing Board under the laws of Louisiana, and to enforce the rights of such as it might determine to be members of board, and to enjoin others who were not, is without any foundation in law or logic. In the Antoine case Judgo Durell not only assumed to determine who constituted the legal Resurning Board, but to prescribe who should be permitved to take part | in the organization of the Legislature, and to enjoin all persons from taking part in such organization who were not returned by the Lynch Board as elected. And this assumption of jurisdiction was mado in the face of the express provision in the act of 1870, that its benefits should not extend to candidates for electors, tor Cor or for the State Legislature, His order in the Kellogg case to the United States Marshal to take possession of the State House for the purpose of reventing anlawful assemblages, under which th Marshal called to his aid a portion of the army of the United States as a posse comuatus, can ouly be charac- terized as a gross usurpation, Thus it will be seen that every member of the Sen- ate Committee stigmatized the pretended Legisiature which elected Pinchback as an ‘‘unlawtul assemblage having no authority in itself, and brought Into exist- ence by fraud and violence, by illegal orders and de. creea, by gross usurpations of power and by flagrant violations of the laws of the State and of the United States.” This is the reason why the Senate has so long refused to admit Pinchback. A formal report of a Senate eum- mittee, of which Senator Morton was chajrman, con- demned his election as void. Hitherto no one bas ap- peared with a certificate of election from an acknowl edged Legislature to assert a claim to the vacant seat, Mr. McMillan brought credentials from Mr, McEnery, pretending to be Governor, dnd on the face of these credentials he was rejected, for Congaess does not rec- ognize MeSnery as Governor. But the appearance of Mr. Eustis pata aifferent face on the matter. He is 7 the choice of o lawful majority of the lawful and ao knowledged Legislature, and in his election every form a bill reductng the expenses of the army. It will proscribed by the United States law regulating the elec- | probably be completed and introduced to-morrow. tion of Senators was observed, GROWING FEELING IN FAVOR OF A REPEAL OF THE BESUMPTION ACT—A GRADUAL REDEMP- TION OF GREENBACKS PROPOSED—SIGNIFICANT PBTITION OF BUSINESS MEN, 2 There is agrowing disposition on both sides in the It effects @ saving of about $550,000 in the matter of pay, qearters and forage. These reductions, however, do not apply to officers serving with troops in the fleld, In the case of general officers all commutation of quarters, rations and fuel are cut off, and each offl- cer is left with his pay proper alone. This will leave the General of the Army $13,500: tho Lieutenant Gen- House to regard tho Resumption act, or at least that | eral, $71,000; major generals, $12,500, aud brigadier part of it fixing a date for the resumption, as impracti- generals, $5,500. The present law does not give the cable; and this opinion seems to gain ground at the | General and Lieutenant General horses, and the num. same time that there is an increasing desire for some ber allewed a major general is by the present bill re- Practicable method of resumption which shall go into"| duced trom five to three, and a brigadier general is al- operation at once and proceed by gradual steps, «Tests | lowed but two, All fleld officers are allowed two, of the House will doubtiess be repeated at frequent in- tervals upon resumption or contraction, but they will be of little importance, as they have mostly some sub- sidary political object. The Committees of Ways and Means and Banking have a number of projects before them and are beginning to work upon them, and as soon as the centennial debate is finished the whole question will come up in Committee of the Whole for discussion and will be there debated at considerable length, probably for not less than a week. Meantime leading Congressmen of both parties receive numerous letters from business men fa all parts of the country, which show that there is great in- terest in the subject, and that the present condition of the currency, at least, satisfies nobody. A singular circumstance is that a petition has been sent to the House, signed by 843 of the principal busi- ness men of Schenectady, N. Y., asking for resump- tion by the gradual redemption of greenbacks. The merchant who sends it says, at the bot- tom of the list, that only ten business men in the place declined to sign it on being asked. This potition, the first of its kind to this Congress, sets forth that; Whereas in 1860 this nation, composed of 81,500,000 population, required but $208,000,000 in currency or About $6 60 per capita, with ‘a much less extended credit system than we now have, to supply the de- mands of the people and trade; and’ whereas, while the population has only increased ‘about 8,000,000, our cur- Teney circulation has increased about $560,000, 000, or to the enormous sum of $767,500,000, of which $372,000,000 aro in national Treasury notes; and whereas the crodit of said national currency is thirteen per cent below par in gold; and whereas this country is pledged to raigo the credit of her currency to a gold basis at the earliest practicable aay, and as we believe the business of the country can’ only be honestly and per- manently revived by a restoration of conf- dence in the government’s determination to carry out the obligations under which the currency was issued; and whereas we believe that by the same process by which the credit of our bonds has been advanced above par our national notes may also be raised to par, it being a simple business transaction which any honest business man would adopt who had notes under protest, if he had tho security on which he could borrow money to pay his notes he would do so and redeem his credit. Now, therefore, we, the undersi, Foheneeys do hereby respectfully honorable ly to pass the bill presented by the Hon. Mr. Chittenden, of New ‘ork, with per- haps the slight amenament giving the Secretary dis- cretionary power as tothe monthly amount to be re- deemed, say not to exceed three million dollars per month, also as to the rate of interest, say not to ex- ceed four and a half per cent, which bill is now in the hands of your honorable Committee on Banking and Currency. Mr. Chittenden, in submitting the petition, -will offer with it a bill directing the Treas- ury to sell for legal tender notes in New York, which are to be at once cancelled and de- stroyed, four millions of four and a half per cent forty- year gold bonds per month aaring eight months of each year, from February to September inclusive; this to begin as soon as the bonds can be prepared; and he will ask that the bill and petition be sent to the Committee on Ways and Means. Other petitions like this one from Schenectady would produce a good effect in the House. FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. pia PARE RAL Wasuixatox, Deo, 23, 1876, THE PROSPECTS OF THE CENTENNIAL APPROPRI- ATION—BEN HILL TO SPEAK IN ITS FAVOR. To-morrow being what is known as field day there ts little or no chance that the House will take up tne Cen- tennial appropriation; but it 18 quite likely the matter will be settled one way or the other before Tuesday night. The prospects cf the bill have not been im- proved by the long depate and its passago is regarded to-night as doubtful, Ben Hill, of Georgia, is going to make a strong speecn tn its favor, and will take advan- tage of the opportunity to repair the injury he did the ed citizens of petition your that he is going to speak on this occasion for tne par- pose rather of undoing the mischief of his anti-Biaine Whatever bis object he cannot fail to aid the bill greatly, and hisvoice may determine the votes of many who are now wavering as to which side thoy will take. Otherwise, as the bill looks to night, it will pass, if it does pass, only by a small majority. THE FRAUDS IN THE POST OFFICE DEPART- MENT—SEVEN HUNDBED CONTRACTS FRAUDU- LENTLY EXECUTED—MANNER OF OPERATION BY THE RING. The fraudulent contracts in the Post Office Depart, ment are likely to make more of a sensation than at first conjectured. The enemies of Postmaster General Jewell, who is supposed for some reason to sympathize with General Bristow in the alleged Cabinet schism over the Babcock matter, are said to be pressing the subject with a view of creating as much odium for Mr. Jewell as the whiskey scandal has caused parties at the Whito House. This report is given for what it is worth, But there is evidently an intrigue of some kind in the re- vival of the subject of these Post Office frauds and their ventilation at this late day, The fact of fraudulent con- tracts was know® nearly a year ago, at the time the February lettings were givon out, but their ex- tent was sot made manifest until a few days ago whon overhauling of the pigeonboles at the Post Office Department showed that every contract, without ex- ception, for the three States of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, some 700 in number, had been fraudulently executed and will, in obedience to the law on the sub- ject, have to be revoked and the mail routes put up again for advertisement and competition, It seems that the comtractors and their confederates in the Post Oflce Department became alarmed lest a discrepancy should be discovered between the seal or stamp affixed to their bids and the stamp on those for routes upon which they did not wish to compete, and that to secure uniformity in all the bids they substi- tuted their traudulent die for that of the Post Office Department, as soon as they had mude use of it themselves, The consequence was that all contracts—those awarded to the ring as well ag those awarded to innocent bidders—have been vitiated by the spurious stamp and that nota single mail route in Texas, Louisiana or Arkansas {1 now operated lawfully, The money for six month work under these contracts has been paid out of the Treasury, and probably another quarter will have been earned before the Post Office Department can readver- tise and receive bids afresh and relet the routes, It is consoling to know that the government has not lost any money by these transactions. The ring wero in pursuit only of the ‘fat!’ or paying routes, and em- ployed the counterfeit stamp to secure contracts upon these lines, To effect their design they had one or more confederates, very high ip the confidence of the department, officials who had access to tf not the keep- ing of the seal, It 18 satd that this seal was hawked about the streets of Washington at the time the bids were being filed last winter, and that for @ consideration, ranging from 00 up to $2,500, the contractors were allowed to take it to their rooms at the hotels and boarding houses and stamp their bids with it, thereby evading the con- tingency of a rejection of their bids when they camo to be passed upon. At first black ink was used in stamp. | ing the impression, but the man who peddled the stamp, having oversold its use, changed the color to blue, and 60 compelled those of the ring to withdraw their bids who had stamped them with black ink, It was doubtless the confusion which arose from this double dealing within the ring that compelled the sub- stitation of the counterfeit stamp for ali contracts and the uniform ase of blue ink. The subject will com in the House to-morrow by resolution, and meantime Mr. Jewell courts an investi- | gation, It is probable that Mr. French, the chief clerk of the department, will be suspended, as he was the keeper of the stamp, and must have been negligent and derelict to have suffered the ring to counterfeit it and handle it as they did. PROPOSED REDUCTION OF EXPENSES IN THE ARMY—DETAILS OF THE CHANGES CONTEM- PLATED—IMPRACTICABILTY OF REDUCING THR ARMY. Generel Banning, Chairman of the Military Com- mitiea, has been engaged for some time im nrenaring and all mounted officers below the rank of major are allowed one horse The pay of colonel, Weutenant colonel, major, captain, and first lieutenant is left unchanged, for the reason that in no case can any one of these officers, even after twenty years’ servico, receive more than $4,500. Tho pay ofa second lieutenant, however, is reduced to $1,300 for 4 mounted officer and $1,200 for one not mounted. The reason for this reduction upon a second lieu- tenant's pay is, that, with very few exceptions, they are young officers, unmarried and fresh from the Academy, and the sums indicated are deemed sufliciont for the short period during which they serve in that rank, as at the outside their service as second Heutenant docs not extend beyond five years. The savings on second lieatenants’ pay amount to $90,000 a year. Inthe matter of commutation of quarters all officers are reduced one-half; the item of fuel is not changed, On the item of forage the saving is $150,000, This matter and the reduction in number of horses allowed officers also applies to the Marine Corps, as well as other reductions in the way of commutations, In the matter of details of officers for staff duty a very important change and a considerable saving is effected. At present it is possible fora lieutenant and even a second lieutenant to be detailed upon the staff of a general officer and to receive the pay and allow- ance of a colonel; and such cases actually exist. By the terms of this bill all officers on staff are to receive only the pay and allowances of their real rank. The saving in this item alone in staff of goneral officers is $25,000, In the matter of reducing the army, the committee as yet does not see its way clear toany great cutting down of force. It 1s possible that the number of regi- ments may be reduced by two, but a careful study of the subject by the members of the committee of both Parties does not seem to indicate that even this will be thought advisable, The bill of Genoral Banning is regarded by those who have been in consultation with him upon the subject, ‘as a practical measuro of retrenchment, and one which does not in any sense partake of the buncombe which has attended so many of the Democratic provisions for reducing expenses, A DETERMINED . FIGHT ANTICIPATED OVER THE APPROPRIATION BILLS, With the Centennial appropriation disposed of on Tuesdayand the Amnesty bill onthe sheif, the ques- tion ts asked, What will next engage the attention of Congress? In answer it is said that the Appropriation bills will be the subject of a warm controversy, step by step, for the reason, in the first place, that the officials whose salary is to be reduced will ase all their political influence tn oppo- sition to the proposed reductions, and because the republicans will contest the changes as a reflection party in his speech for amnesty. In fact it is suspected | vote between the two main parties so close these in- speech than of helping the Centennial appropriation. | from Indianapolis, Franklin Landers, a soft moncy | eral, andinan hour there came a reply from him, upon their past management of the appro- priations, THE COMING DEBATE ON THE CURRENCY QUESTION. It is aid that another resumption repeal resolution will be introduced during the morning hour to-mor row, anda debate on the currency question may be precipitated in this way. If so, the inflation or anti- resumption Issue will be the next sensation. But the latitude allowed on Mondays ts so wide that one or another of the many subjects capable of creating a heated discussion may get the start of the curroncy question. SERIOUS POLITICAL COMPLICATION IN INDI- ANA—ANNOYANCE OF THE DEMOCRATS. The Western democrats tn Congress, and the Indi- ana delegation particularly, are quite exercised over the action of the so-called independent or greenback party of that State, whose convention ts soon to be held for the nomination of a State ticket With the dependents hold the balance of power, and thoy intend to nominate for Governor the present Congressman man, who was so obstinate in his principles that ho alone of his State delegation of democrats voted against Mr. Kerr for Speaker because the latter is a hard money man. With Landers in the fleld, the democrats will have either to indorse him and make him their candidate, soft money and all, or nominate a bard money man and be badly beaten by the republicans. All this in October, three weeks before the Presidential election, which will be greatly influenced, if not de- cided, by the preliminary election. To say that Hen- dricks, Speaker Kerr and other Western democratio leaders are annoyed at this complication is only faintly expressing the trouble it is causing them, Mr. Landers’ ambition is probably extinguisher on the hopes of Mr. Holman, of Indiana, who bas been the candidate for the democratic nomination for Gov- ernor, and who offered his resumption resolutions the other day with a view of baving the House show itself opposed to anything like inflation, and thus to demon- strate to the democrats of Indiana that he was the right man for their candidate, THE PLACE OF MEETING OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIO CONVENTION, One of the members of the National Democratic Com- mittee, who took the trouble to canvass the other mem- bors of the committee, personally and by letter, as to their choice of the place at which to hold the Presiden- tial nominating Convention, says that he found them almost unanimously fn favor of St. Louis. FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT. | INCIDENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE BABCOCK CASE—AN EFFORT TO STOP THE INVESTIGA- TION IN* ST. LOUIS—THEB ARROGANCE OF MILITARY AUTHORITY REBUKED. Wasmixrox, Jan. 23, 1876. Some startling facts have become known here in ro- gard to the action of the President and of the Attorney General in regard to the trial of General Babcock, Upon the appearance of the telegrams relating to this officer, which were brought out in the Avery trial, the Presi- dent, probably having in view the ordering of the mili- tary court of inquiry, indicated to the Attorney Genera) his desire that the latter should take the re- Sponsibdility of interfering and stopping proceedings against Babeock in the civil courts and before the Grand Jury at St. Louis, The Attorney General, how- ever, declined to take the responsibility of doing this. When the military court was decided upon Judge Pierrepont telegraphed District Attorney Dyer, that the | President had ordered military court of inquiry to | examine General Babcock’s case; that Babcock seemed | to havea right to such @ trial, and closed by askin, “What is the sitaation of things at St. Louis?” The District Attorney replied that the Grand Jury were considering GeneraljBabcock’s case, but that he bad not | as yet been indicted. Meantime the speech of General Henderson, of | which so much complaint was afterward made, had been delivered, and without exciting particular notice | at the White House, although its salient points had been widely circulated by the press. On the morning | of the 9th of December the Grand Jury took a vote, and | found @ true bill against Babcock. This fact was imme- diately telegraphed by Mr. Dyer to the Attorney Gen- which was the despatch cailing his attention to the fact that General Henderson had fn his argument in the Avery case reflected on the President, and asking bim to say to Henderson that the government was not in- clined to pay for any further services of the kind. The character of the telegrams and the order of events, as indicated above, create « presumption that | the news of Babcock’s indictment was the inciting | cause of the removal of Mr, Henderson and but the first step in breaking down the prosecution. ‘When the military court had been ordered Attorney General Pierrepont telegraphed District Attorney Dyer, directing him to furnish this military court all the ovidence in Babcock’s case, As may be this created a storm among the counsel and about the court, Mr, Dyer telegraphed Judge Pierrepont in about these words :— | As it expected by the Attorney General that evidence procured by the process of the District ana Gircuis 5 Sara ne Courts of the United States at this place shall be takes to Chicago, out of the jurisdiction of this Court, and de- livered into the hands of military court in a time of profound peace, and especially when we are in daily use of the evidence before the Grand Jury and in the wo of cases before the courts? I beg leave to say thal the Court will not tolerate such a proceeding, and § could not personaily take the responsibility without incurring its contempt. This despatch remained unanswered a day or two, when Mr. Pierrepont telegraphed Mr. Dyer to please furnish the military court copies of such evidence as he could conveniently spare. Meantime Major Gard- iner, the Judge Advocate of the Babcock military court, had been notified that the District Attorney af St. Louis had been instructed to furnish him with the evidence im its possession. The spirit in which be began his work is shown by the terms in which be saw Qt to address the United States District Attorney, Ignoring the fuct that the matter concerning General Babcock had come out in the regular course of a triat before United States courts, through a special counsel of the government in the regular discharge of his Sworn duty, Major Gardiner presumed to telegraph this order to the District Attorney :— ip yan will Wanami to me immediately copies of a arges wade by J.B, Henderson against General 0, E, Babcock. ae To this arrogant despatch Mr. Dyor replied nearly to these words :— Tam not aware that Mr. Henderson has ever made any el against General Babeock, and upon congulta- ton he assures me that he never has. The only thin; said by Mr. Bepderson concerning General Babooet with appear in the evidence and the argument vefore tho jary in tho trial of W. 0. Avery. Shall | order the stenographer to send you copies thereof? Upon the receipt of this the Judge Advocate came down from his high horse, and telegraphed to this ef fect:— The District Attorney will please cause (he ston ogra pher to prepare and tranvat to me a copy of Mr. fen derson’s speech in the Avery trial. ‘The indictment of General Baboock made tho disso lution of the military court pecessary, and Major Gar- diner was deprived of further opportunity*af indi- cating the spirit in whicn {t was ordered by any Tur. ther telegraphic correspondence of the above character, EVENING WEATHER REPORT. War DurartMent, . Orrtos ov tre Cucey SignaL Since, Wasuinctoy, Jan, 23—7:30 P, M, Probabilities, For New England, Middle States and lower lakes, areas of rain and snow, followed by partly cloudy weather, lower temperature, northerly to westerly winds and rising barometer. For the South Atiantic States, increasing cloudiness, winds shifting from northerly and wosterly during Monday, with rising barometer and falling tompera- ture. For the Gulf States, Tennessee and the Ohio Valley, decidedly colder, northerly to westerly winds, rising barometer, partly cloudy weather, with areas*of ram in the Gulf States and with rain or snow in Tonnesset and the Ohio Valley, followed by partly cloudy weather and temperature below freezing in the last named districts, For tho upper lakes, the Upper Mississippi and Lower Missourt valleys, decidedly cold and partly cloudy weather, with northwest to southwest winds, and rising barometer east of the Missouri Valley. ‘The Lower Ohio and Central Mississippi rivers will continue to rise during Monday. Cautionary signals still continue at stations on the Atlantic coast from New London to Eastport THE WEATHER YESTERDAY. The following record will show the changes in the temperature for the past twenty-four hours, in com- parison with the corresponding date of last year, as in- dicated by the thermometer at Hudnut’s pharmacy, Hato Butlding:— 1875, 1876, 23 1875, 1876. 32 31 Average temperature yesterday... oe ory ‘Average temperature for corresponding dato last . THE DIRECT CABLE DAMAGED. THE omoers of the Direct United States Cable Com pany announce that their cable broke again yesterday about 140 miles west of Torbay, N. 8. THE MONTREAL ELOPEMENT. Aconple of detectives arrived in this city from Mon treal on Saturday evening in quest of Fred. H. Brydget and Mrs, Nina Mackenzie, the hero and heroine of the elopement, the particulars of which appeared in these columns yesterday, When informed of the discharge by the police magistrate of the parties the officers were very much disgusted and tried to find the truants unsuccessfully, and learned of the whereabouts of the fugitives by the report in yeste then postea off for Philadelphia by 5 as the two have at least twenty-four hours the start of the officers they will have a long chase. Brydges* object in going to Philadelphia was to be beyond the possibility of arrest, his counsel having informed him under the laws of this Siato he couid be arrested for abduction, while in Penasylvania he will be free from such annoyance, HO! EL ARRIVALS, Attorney General Charles S. Fairchild, of Albany, is residing temporarily at the Brevoort House. William E. Chandler, Secretary of the Republican National Committee, {s at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Commander George Brown, United States Navy, is quartered at the Aoffman House, William A. Pile, of Missouri, formerly United States Minister to Venezuela, is staying at the St. Denis Hote, Major Lewis C. Forsyth, of the Quartermaster's Department, United States Army, ts at the Sturtevant House F. S. Chanfrau, the comedian, ts registered at the Astor House, Rev. O. Audet, L. L Boivin, A Leveque and 3. 0. Stovenson, Commissioners from the Province of Quebec to the Centennial Exhibition, are at the Grand Central Hotel, on their way to Philadelphia. A THE COMPLETED EQUITABLE BUILDING. In securing for the necessary accommodation of its bush ness adequate and convenient room the Equitable Life In- surance lety bas been enabled collat rally to benefit the fraternity of lawyers. The apper portion of the Equitable Building, at the corner roadway and lar st, ie principally devoted to lawyers’ offices, most of them being ready occupied. The grouping of from thirty to forty firms, com) 5 ay apws of members ander one tok, obrlously affords. mat next door (wi the extraordinary eli south and west Mase, ‘ail bat two of weiee gues rations, attwo suits are now Sceupied’ This tullding is now Almost complete, and is tolid aud attractive addition to downtown improvements, A.—BENNEIT B' FIRE PROOF, LOCATED ON NASSAU, ANN AND FULTON STa HANDSOMELY AND. WELL-HEATED OFFICES TO LET ‘BRM, ON surta REASONABLE T! TABLE FOR LAWYERS, BANKERS AND INSURANCE OFFICES, APPLY ON THE PREMISES. A.—RUSSIAN BATHS, NO. 25 EAST 4TH ST. MOST, complete and popalar Baths on this continent. AMERICAN ‘ALE—SUPERIOR TO ANY IMPORTED Bontled expressly for family use. Sold by all the grocera, Teeny 1 CHW 3: STAPY, 115 Obeasbers A NOTABLE REMEDY—SUPERSEDING METAL trusses overywhere, is the elegant Sttx E.astic Tross, sup. pled by ELASTIO TRUSS COMPANY, 683 Broadway: whieh permanentiy cures raptare: A.—JUST TRY WISTAR’S BALSAM Of WILD Ciwany tor that cough. It will cure it speedily. 50 coute ond $1. CAMPBELL’S PHARMACY, CORNER 8TH AV. AND 28th st.—21 years established. Prescriptions prepared with care. KEEP’S PATENT PARTLY MADE DRESS SHIRTS. ieee from Wamsutta muslin; Bosome (three ply), best Lrist inew. MRS. £ B. VOORHIESS, THE EMINENT LADY Physician, of 51 West 424. st. ibes with the greatest coess Gitxg’ LiNiweNt Lopibe OF Aw It has made su % some wonderful cares. bi ee nee Sold vy all druggists. Depot, No. 451 Oth av., Now York SODA WATER APPARATUS FOR MAKING ALL Eraved Bo HN a * arrestee 30! MATTHEWS, Ist av, and 26tu THE FIRESIDE COMPANION, OUT TO-MORROW, contains “Snaps Tor Girls,’ “Fashion “Oar Fh yacian.” “Conmumptian,” "Kitchen ‘Anewers (¢ ikovehoa,” “The Yankee Detective, de ee ores nad NEW PUBLICATIONS. J AeRoon sore EDITION.A TREATISE EX- plan fh , tostractions for the suc: cessful treat: tof knee: Low Spin we aa sranlsycesh of Meaeany how Sruceaen Mertens oe Nircompes elt rena = pamony, New ¥ 44 to marriage and the ‘author, treatmen' ae ee