The New York Herald Newspaper, May 23, 1876, Page 3

THE CONKENG CAMPAIGN Tnitiatory Movement Through Im- portant Cabinet Changes. PORTING “THE ENGINES OF PATRONAGE. Don Gameroa, Secretary of War; Judge Taft, At- tornay General; Pierrepont, Minister to England. ARRANGEMENTS TO SECURE PENNSYLVANIA, | to-day the nominatidn of Mr. Pierrepont waa referred General Grant’s Estimate of the Varios | senators Cameron, Edmunds and Logan, the re- Candidates for Nomination. PHILADELPHIA SATISFIED. A Modest Coyness Not Unbecoming a New Appointee. ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE UNDER ADVISEMENT. iS WASHINGTON, May 22, 1876. ‘The President gave a genuine surprise to every- body this morning by the announcement of the following Cabinet changes:— Alphonso R. Taft, of Ohio, to be Attorney General. J. McDonald Cameron, of Pennsylvania, to be Becretary of War, and the appointment of Edwards Pierrepont to be Minister to England. There has been a buzz of discussion about their meaning all day. He has been for some days talking confidentially with a number of influential Western and Southern politicians, Sen- ators and members of Congress, and enough has leaked out in the conversation of some of them to show that General Grant has opened . THE CONKLING CAMPAIGN inearnest. He has discussed with those he has called to the White House very freely the reasons why he prefers Mr. Conkling, and has been very frank in expressing himself as opposed to the nomi- nation of Mr. Bristow, Mr. Blaine or any other candi- date except Senator Conkling. He is understood to speak very kindly of Senator Morton, and some re- ports state that he has even gone sofar as to say that if Mr. Morton had good health he would make the Preferable candidate of all. But, in the President's opiion, - MR. MORTON’S HEALTH issuch that he might be disabied in the midst of his administration, and thus cause confusion in the party and injury to the country, x WHAT THE PRESIDENT DESIRES. The President has told a number of influentia, Persons during the last ten days that he does not himself desire a nomination, and is determined on No account to ‘accept ft; that he has served the Public for sixteen years, has been abundantly re- warded and is very tired of public office, and that he Counts the days until he shall be relieved. He ex- presses himself as very anxious for the SUCCESS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY in November, believes that this 1s necessary to the Welfare of the country, and thiyks in Mr. Conkling’s hands the party would be safe and the country: secure. He says that he will give his strong sup- port to the Cincinnati candidates, whoever they may be, but he urges the nomination of Mr. Conkling in preference to all the other candidates, regarding him as a statesman, a8 he says, without reproach and of great ability, of great popularity in the country; and he is understooll to have said that the only thing that can injure Mr. Conkling or be brought against him by anybody is that he has so conais- tently and zealously supported General Grant's ad- ministration. THE NOMINATION OF DON CAMERON to be Secretary of War is regarded here as an ar- langement to secure the vote of Pennsylvania in the Convention to Mr. Conkling. There were rumors several weeks ago of such an arrangement as neces- sary to secure the zealous support of Senator Cam- eron and his foliowers in Pennsylvania, and the cer- tainty with which Mr. Conkling’s friends here have, for five or six weeks, counted on the Pennsylvania delegation, contrary to the belief of others, is thought to show that the present change has been for some time in contemplation. THE VICK PRESIDENCY begins also to be talked of, and itis believed that the President has his preferences in regard to this Ditice. He is understood to be favorably disposed to &@ number of persons, but to several of his friends he Uas specially named MR. M'CREARY, OF Iowa, and Senator Alcorn, of Mississippi. It is believed that if the Southern delegates in Convention should ask for the nomination of Mr. Alcorn he would have the President's influence in his favor, and this on the ground that in that case he would be supposed strong enough to carry several Southern States, and thus make the chauces of a republican success stronger. THE PLAN OF CAMPAIGH developed or unmasked to-day is an undoubtedly strong one. It evidentiy means to secure to Mr. Conkling, at the opening of .the Cincinnati Conven- tion, the votes of New York, Pennsylvania and all, or nearly all, of the Southern States. Tne expecta- tion, probably, is to secure all except Kentacky, which will go to Mr. Bristow, and Delaware, which has but six votes. If‘this plan is successful Mr. Conkling would thus have 234 votes to begin with, besides the scattering votes from other States, and there would be little doubt of his nomination. Of course these votes would not appear on the first ballot, as probably a considerable part of the South will want to give Mr. Morton and Mr. Biaine A COMPLIMENTARY VOTE, ‘The influence of the President's wishes, wherever bo makes them positively known among the South- ern republicans, is very strong—enough in most cases to overcome their preferences for any other candidate. There is no doubt that General Grant himself is the first choice of all or nearly all of the colored republican leaders in the South, and of many of the whites as well. Naturally these defer to his wishes, if he chooses to make them known, Moreover, he knows how to use HIS SOUTHERN PATRONAGE ‘to secure the predominance of his wishes, as in the* Sppointment just made of Mayer to be Marshal in Alabama, which insures Senator Spencer's zealous support to Mr, Conkling in the Convention, while tt gives the cold shoulder to the honest part of the re- Publican party in Alubama, and treats them as rebels against the regular party organization. COMMENTS ON THE PRESIDENT'S ACTION. Naturally the Cabinet changes excite remark not always favorable. Among the republicans to-day some of them say, “The President has begun too late;” some are indignant at what they call open favoritism, but there is an iinpression that General Grant has begun his campaign-as he did during the war, after a careful study of the situation and a de- termination to win. “He isa hard man to beat,” was said to-day by one who is not an adherent of Conkling. Itis odd that THE QUESTION OF FITNESS «wn the new appointment does not appear to come uj at all in discussion. The political bearings of MP Cameron's appointment alone are considered, SURPRISE EXCITED, The appointment of Don Cameron to the War De- partment excited the more surprise here to-day he- cause it ia very well known that his father, the Sen- ator, has quite recently complained that he had not | Mr. C: been well treated by the President, and that he did H was born in Penasylvania, His mothor was formerly | do it on a reiorm basis ana NEW. YORK not expect any favorsin that quarter. To-day, after the confirmation of his son, the old gentleman took his lunch in the room of the Committee on Foreign Relations, evidently ina very comfortable frame of mind, and talking guardediy over Presidential pros- pects. PART OF A GENERAI. PLAN. It ts reported this evening on what seems to be good authority that the elevation of the younger | Cameron is part of a general plan which involves the retirement of Senator Cameron after the elec- tion, the election of General Hartranft to the Senate in return for his giving up his Presidential aspirations and co-operating with the Camerons in controlling the Pennsylvania vote at Cincinnati, and an. understanding that if Mr. Conkling becomes President one or the other of the Camerons shall | have a place in this Cabinet. | In this way the political rivalry in Pennsylvania is harmonized, and Senator Cameron, who was sev- | enty-seven last March, has secured a politicdfuture | for his heir. THE CONFIRMATION BY THE SENATE. As soon as the Senate went into executive session | to the Committe on Foreign Relations, that of Mr. Tait to the Committee on the Judiciary and that of Mr. Cameron to the Committee on Military Amuirs, spective chairmen of those committees, soon there- | after made favorable reports on the nominations, which were confirmed by the Senate without debate, | the reception of the nominations from the President, their reference, the reports thereon and the final ac- tion occupying less than one hour. THE NEW APPOINTER HEARD FroM. The newly appointed Secretary of War was heard | from by telegraph to-night, in answer to congratu- | lations of his friends, and, somewhat curiously, his mind seems not yet made up as to his acceptance of the position of Cabinet Minister. He says that he iad APPRECIATES THE HONOR : conferred upon him by both the President and his nomination and the Senate in the compliment of his immediate confirmation. He had been unwell for a few days and was just now under the care of a doctor for : A TEMPORARY AILMENT, for which reason he did not expect to reach Wash- ington until near the close of the week. This inter- val of time would enable him to decide whether he should accept the appointment or not. THE FEELING IN PHILADELPHIA. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., May 22, 1876, The appointment of Don Cameron to a seat in the Cabinet appears to have taken the leading politi- cians here by surprise, for while the more proml- nent Pennsylvania republicans have long known that Don Cameron’s ambition was in that direction, no one seems to have expected its gratification at this time. Such of the leading men of the partyin Philadelphia as can be found at this hour express approval of the appointment. ‘VIEWS OF COLONEL FORNEY. Colonel Forney preferred not to say much regard- ing the son of his old political enemy. He, however, expressed his gratification at the President's recog- | nition of the Pennsylvania republican purty. Since the appointment of Borie to the Navy Department this was the first nomination the President had made from Pennsylvania, Colonel Forney believed it was satisfactory to the party. VIEWS OF A BLAINE MAN. General Bingham, a leading republican delegate to the National Convention, said that the appointment would have no demoralizing effect upon the Pennsylvania delegation at the Con- vention. He did, not at all think it meant an indorsement & Conkling, #0 he said; on the contrary, it would consolidate the delegation and ald materially in nominating @ son of Pennsyl- vania to the Presidency. He considered the appoint- ment A DESERVED TRIBUTE to one of the best business men in the State. General Bingham is a worker for Blaine, and is supposed to have charge of his interests in Pennsylvania. Hart- ranft ig Bingham’s first choice, but Blaine is second. Other republid;ver ditfeved with General Bingham, admitting that Cameron's appointment looked like an exposure of Conkling’s cause, which might injure Blaine’s chances very much. AT MR. CAMERON'S HOME. HARRISBURG, May 22, 1876, This city is ina blaze of excitement to-night over the announcement that Mr. J. Donald Cameron has been appointed Secretary of War. Everybody is re- joiced except Mr. Cameron, and he is in such a quandary regarding his aeceptance that he makes either himself or the President appear exceedingly absurd. 18 BARKIS WILLING? I called on him at his elegant residence, on Front street, this evening, but he said he was unable to discuss the subject of his appointment because he had not yet determined what action he would take. This statement can only be regarded as very funny, as the allegation that he was promised a place in ‘MR. CONKLING’S CABINET in case of the Senator’s election to the Presidency is a source of real weakness to the New York states- man. I called Mr. Cameron’s attention to this, and he declared he had never heard of any such thing. Considering that the charge has been made in the most influential newspapers in the State, and isin the mouths of all the partisans of Mr. Blaine in the Pennsylvania delegation, Mr. Cameron must be an ill-informed or an incapable politician if what he says istrue. I have excellent reasons for saying that Mr, Cameron was ’ AWARE OF THE FACT that President Grant intended nominating him to the Senate before the nomination was made, and ‘one of his most trusted lieutenants was summoned to Washington en Sunday to be on hand when the coup d'état should be accomplished. Another fact which bears in the same direction may be found in this—that at the very moment Mr. Cameron was telling that he had not yet made up his mind to accept the post which the President has tendered him, preparations were making to give him a serenade, and he had desig- nated Judge Pearson, of the Court of Common Pleas, to speak for him in response to the Mayor and people of Harrisburg. THE SERENADE took place at nine o'clock tis evening, and although @ light rain was falling at the time, the gathering ‘was a large one. THE CITY is fall of lawyers and politiclans from the neighbor- ing counties in attendance upon the Supreme Court, and among these Mr. Cameron’s good fortune is the subject of general discussion. The political signifi- cance of the appoifitment is not understood and outside of the citizens of Harrisburg, whose felicitations Mr. Cameron in his lit. tle speech in response to the serenade, which ‘was a surprise to his hearers in its being made atall, professed to regard as even dearer to him than the President’s partiality, there is not much Joy over the event. In effect, however, the nomina- tion can scarcely fail to be DETRIMENTAL TO MR. CONKLING. It is not believed that a young man like Mr. Cam eron, who has never held office or had any experi- ence in public affairs, could have received this ap- pointment except as part of a political bargain involving Mr. Conkling’s claims to the Presidency. BLAINE'S FRIENDS are naturally incensed, and will push their tion to Conkling in consequence. Mr. Cameron is a delegate at large to the Cincinnati Convention, and it is remarked that there Is manifest impro- priety in his serving in that body while acting as Secretary of War, or of being appointed Secretary on the eve of an important political convention, of which he is @ member. The whole thing is re- garded as A BLUNDER, | and it may be well for the interests of the repubil- can party that he is really in doubt about his accept- ance, Such a thing as a doubt on his part regarding acceptance {3 not thought of here, and Mr. Carm- eron's declaration will, I doubt not, create a great deal of surprise. | 1 JAMES DONALD CAMERON. Tho new Secretary of War, James Donald Cameron, or, as he is called m Pennsylvania politics, Don Cameron, 1 the eldest son of the Hon. Simon Cameron, the senior Senator from the State of Pennsylvania efron 1s How about forty-two years of age aud | favor of reform and ti ‘Miss Brua, « descendant of an old Pennsylvania family. He was educated for a business life and became the President and cashier of two or three banks in Harri- burg, Middletown and elsewhere. He took an active interest in the development of the railway system of Penhsylvania and was for some time the President 0 the Northern Central Railway, the main line: from Baitimore to Harrisburg. It was in the management of this road that the genius of: Mr. Cameron for affairs—for the government of men. and for handling large trusis—frst became known. Mr. Cameron remained in the control of the Northern Central until the railway passed imto the hands of the Pennsylvania Central, when be retired from the rail- way and gave his time to bis personal affairs and largely to politics, As his fatber, the Senator, retired from the active control of Pennsylvania politics on ac- count of his advancing years, Mr. Cameron assumed his pluco and became known as a leader of courage, singular foresight and abihty, Lacking the genial bon, hommie of the Senator, Mr, Cameron was cold, re- Served ond sby in his manner, and fused into the re- Publican party a discipline which it had never botore known, even in Pennsylvania. ‘Thig was shown in the first canvass of General Hart- Tayffor Governor, An important fragment of tho re. publican party, under ihe leadership of Colonel Young. and Colonel McClure, matinied aguinst tho nomination of Governor Hartrantt, opposed his canvass m Octobor, and in doing so menaced the suc. cess of Grant in November. There was a panic ariwing out of this meeting and position on the part of the republicans to withdraw General Hartranft, which was prevented mainly, if not altogethor, by the courage and energy of Mr. Cameron, who insisted that the j Party should go down with Hartranft’s colors flying rather than succeed without him, Tho result of ths determination was the election of Hartranit and the carrying of the State for Grant by an unprecedented majority. il ® Mr. Cameron is a man of large fortune, estimated at from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000, and although his nom’ inationgnay be unfavorably regarded by & wing of the republican party in Pennsylvynia, it will no doubt give Batisfaction to the general bulk of the organization, la political meaning is that 3Ir. Cameron, as a supporter of Conkling, is recognized by Prosident Grant Mr. Cameron is a widowor and resides at Harrisburg. THE STORM. A WATERSPOUT IN PENNSYLVANIA—GREAT DE- STRUCTION TO CROFS—NEWTON, IN NEW JER- SKY, VISITED WITH A HEAVY HAIL STORM—~ DEVASTATION IN THE NORTHWEST. Scraxron, Pa,, May 22, 1876. A terrific storm swept over thie region yesterday afternoon and worked considerable destruction to the crops along the mountains north of this city. At about two o’clock the gathering tempest was seen com- ing up from the north, accompanied by an occasional peal of thunder, until an immense black cloud hung over the mountains, spreading like a pall over the farming villages known as the Notch, Abington, Scott and several other places, Ad the afternoon advanced the clouds grew deuser and the thunder increased, accompanied by vivid flashes of lightning, until the mountains ‘fairly shook under the storm. At ubout four o'clock the people living in the villages already mentioned were sturtled by a roaring sonud which seemed to issue {rom the cloud, apd was furly Srp d to its, effect This strange sound rushed like a whirlwind over a mountain gorge known as the Notch, and lasted for nearly balf an hour, It reverberated along the ravines, and was vasily heurd in this city, although Ave miles distant. 1t seemed 1 ke the noise produced by an immense snowslide, and after hovering ior some time over the Notch de- scended, striking with terrific torce along the bed of the stream which runs through that locality, tearing awoy foot bridges and ing the trecs in its path, Fortunately, the portion of the country where it struck was free froin houses, or the effect could not fail ‘to be disastrous if it descended half wu mile farthor north, This mimic waterspout had scarcel; spent its force ero a swoepiug ani destructive huil- storm descended all along the upper portion of the Lackawanna Valley, extending quite close to this city and demolishing the windows of several fine dwellings in the First ward, including about 150 panes of beauti- ful stained giass in the Providence Catholic church. At Dunmore, about two miles distant, window pancs were broken by the pelting hail, loaves wore torn from tho trees, branches were broken and flowers wore ontirely destroyed. At Abington und Scott town. 4 PaDs ency question this week. ships the storm was terrible. huge hailstones came down with awful force, as if projected from cannon’s mouth, tearing up the crops and laylug tho trnit trees, which but a short time before were white with bloom, completely bare. Windows were shat tered throughout the villages as though they were be- ing shelled by some invading foe, and for upward of an hour the people were completely panic- stricken. It seemed to them as though the end of the world had come Tu iIstones strewn along the valley seemed moro like the te pebbies of achalky beach than frozen rain. The hercest portion ‘of th mbraced, as far as 1 can learn at present, e twenty miles square of farmi despondent, It has blighted their crops, their fruit trees, and banished every blossom and green leaf from their farms. The jon at present presents the appearance of a midwivter ecene. In the centro snd tothe south of this city adrenching rain storm || fell, with vivid sheets of lightning, but no nail. Re- ports coming in froin districts furthor north state that the storm worked greater devastation yet, and it 1s quite possible that somo lives were lost among the mountains. | soft money men, by which nothing wil DAMAGE IN PEXNSYLVANIA, Mitrorp, May 22, 1876, A terrific rain storm, accompanied by bailstones an inch in diameter, passed over the southern part of Pike county yesterday afternoon, Considerable dam- age was done to fruit and grain. THE STORM IN THE NORTHWEST. Crxciexatt, Obio, May 22, 1876. Special despatches roport heavy storms in various ‘Jocalities in the Northwest daring the past twenty-four hours, which have done considerable damage tescrops and to property. In Clay county, lowa, the storm was most destructive, and in Gayvillo, in the same county, many houses were torn down or wrecked. ston from two to three inches jn diameter fell in such quan- tity ag to cover the ground to the depth of tour inches. A terrige wind aceompanicd the storm, In Lansing, Mich., the storm was severe and de- structive In Sparta, Wis., and Mendota and Rocktora, lL, the fields were deluged and much damage inflicted. No loss of lite has been reported. THE STORM IN CANADA, Hos, Ont, May 22, 1876. The water yosterday swept away part of the Aylmer Road Bridge, making an excavation twenty-five fect wide and eight or ten feet deep. The remainder of tho bridge 1s being gradually washed away. Bisson’s carding mil was wre and carried away by the water this morning. FIERCE HAIL STORM IN JERSEY. Between four and five o’clock on Sunday a fierce hail storm burst upon Morris and Sussex counties, New Jorsey, cauging a loss to fruit, flowers, shrubbery and glass which cnn scarcely be estimated, but which un- doubtedly represents between $50,000 and $100,000. The day was very hot, the thermometer playing a:nong the nineties, About four P. M. the heavens biackenod, and soon the rain came, which was quickly followed by hail, the stones being of the enormous size of hen: eggs. Yesterday the Hxnatp representative was advised | of some having been picked up which measured seven inches around. They crashed through even the heavy corrugated giass in the roof of the Morristown Post Otfice. Not a hotbouso Charles Rhodes’ loss In Morristown is $2,000, Thomas Mitchell's being $1,000, Both are florists. Their places are complete wrecks. ‘The loss of peaches, apples, irs and plums will be very great, The “‘oltest inhabitunt” recollects nothing so terrific. Every skylight suffered. Tho trees were shorn of leaves and branches in some parts. A man = had head cut by a stone while picking up another, Newton, in Sussex county, was completely flooded, cellars tilled with water, strcets torn to pieces, together witb the fences, were washed down tow! the meadows. The whole surtace of the earth was a sheet of ranning water, and the meadows below town presented the appearance of vast of water, Wagon louds of hail were washed | up in heaps, The frait and winter grain in the course | of the storm must be very seriously damaged. The most terrific thunder and lightning accompanied the hail aud rain. A barn belonging to Austin Anderson, jn Hampton township, about two miles west of Newton, ‘was struck by lightning at art The fall extent of the eis not yet known, It 1s considered fortunate that no lives were lost. SCHURZ AND THE CANDIDATES. « Cmreaao, Vay 22, 1876. Hon. Carl Schurz isin town to-day. In conversation with a Chicago Tribune reporter he expressed very freely his views on Presidential candidates, He considers Bristow the best man for the rey can nomination because of his availability with all classes acd parties, including the independent re- tJormers ; because he has been a most active prosecutor of offic: frauds and corruption with which the great masves have no sympathy, and because throwing him out would ure oF leas odidm upon the party. He considers Charles Francis # un oxcelleat choice, but thinks there ix litle probability of his be- coming # candidaie, He speaks of Blaine disparagingly ag a candidate for the Presidency because ho lacks tue record of a reformer, which Bristow possesses, Mr. Schury says the sentiment of the country 1s strongly in ho party which wins must eandidates WASHINGTON. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasuixatos, May 22, 1876, SEORETARY ROBESON AND THE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE NAVAL INVESTIGATION—THE DE- FENCE BY Bis FRIENDS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE TESTIMONY—A POSSIBLE IMPEACH- “MENT AT HAND. The caso of Secretary Robeson has been much dis- cussed to-day, many persons having read the testimony of K. u, Cattell” and others carefully und compared it With some statements put out within a weck, “autboritatively,”? by Mr, Robeson’s friends. One of these statements assert Tt can further be said, authoritatively, that Mr, Robeson never knew of contract being given to any One at the instance of Mr. Cattell, Unfortunctely the examination of E. G. Cattell drew @ut some admissions from him which fatally contra- dict this statement, Cattell asserted that Mr. Robeson | did not know of his contracts and agreoments with other varties hke Matthews, but ho had previously said that Mr. Robeson was “offended with him," and, being uskog— ‘Then you were not aoing navy business in your own mame, and Robeson did not know you were domg 1t in the wame of others, why did he get sore? Cattell made the significant answer:—‘‘He did not kaow how I was doing tt, nor where I was doing It, but sho knew | was doing it.” Ho was asked:—‘Did you never ask your brother to interfere with the Sooretary fm your bebulf im any way?” and replicd, “I have, Again, “Did you not tell your brother that you were interested. with Matthews apd these other partics f’ to which Caittell* replica: “I did not tell him I was interested with them; he Knew I was interested with somo one.” Finally, being asked, “Did you not tell him to use ‘Wwhutever influence ho had for tho purpose of getting these contracts?” he replied, ‘I cannot remember that,” _, Theso answers show clearly that Mr, Robeson knew ‘what Cattell was doing, and scom to knock away tho excuse of ignorance, . The attempt of Mr. Robeson’s friends to lay all the Dlaihe of the Cattell plunder upun the bureau officers in the Navy Department excites some indignation hore. Wt is asserted in defence of the Secretary that “at the Cattells' used their mfuence in “obtuin- ing contracts for others that was a matter for tbe burenus, but the bureau officers claim to be honest men, apd some of them are not willing to be made menpegeats. Those who have scrutinized the ovidenc Femark upon a curious coincidence. E. G. Cattell Admits having gaifled somowhere near $300,090, but It @ppears that ex-Senator Cattell drew out of the frm tsbout $70,009 previously put ia, from time to time, by his brother out of these transactions; that E, G. Cat- toll turned in when he destroyed his memorandum “ships the lump sum of $180,000 as his own, and that the Camden Bank account of Secretary Roboson shows various indorsements of the Cattells, and checks from them and trom their bank in Philadelphia, to the amount of over $40,000, the whole making up a sum of nearly $300,000. But it is said to-night that the committee are satistied that Cat- tell’s gains amounted to no leas than $500,000. It is also remarked a8 curious that, according to Cattell’s testimony, Robeson became offended with him about the time when the democratic House was elected Evory attempt of the committoe to get'ex-Senator Cattell before thei 1 Philadelphia failed, the subpanas Deing answered always with a doctor’s certificate thut Mr. Cattell was too tll to be examined. There is a ro- port to-night of new discoveries which will cause the impeachment of Robeson unless be resigns, and bis Fesignation has not been talked of to-day. FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. 4 TRUCE BETWEEN THE HARD AND SOFT MONEY DEMOCRATS. A truce has been agreod upon betwee ¢ hard: and be dono on the In:the revival of tho greouback ayitation the leadership will be taken by Mr, MeMahbon, of Uhio, to whom it presents itself in the light of a duty, in viow of the action of the Ohio State Convention. THE FRONTIER WAR—THE TOWN OF BISMARCK IN DANGER FROM THE HOSTILE INDIANS, Wasninatos, May 22, 1876, Agentleman here, familiar with the frontier, says that in case the government troops shall not be able to defeat the Indians during the present operations, there is great danger that the town of Bismarck will be at- tacked by the hostile Indians, and that unless the sct- tlers and others can be massed, there is every proba- bility the place cannot be successfully defeuded. There are but few arms of good quality in tho place and the population i not of good fighting quality. Another gentleman residing at Bismarck, who is in town to- night, has great feurs of this result, since in times not very remote raiding parties of indians bavo frequently appeared on the opposite side of the river and have threatened the place, MEDICAL STATISTICS FROM THE PROVOST MAR- SHAL GENERAL'S BUREAU—A WORK OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE PROFESSION. A work of national interest and of great importance to the medical profession and life insarance corpora- tions has just been completea in what is known as the “Report of the Medical Statistics of the Provost Mar. shal General’s Bureau,” by Dr, J. H. Baxter, Chief Medical Purveyor United States Army. This report, consisting of two volumes quario, of about 750 pages each, and illustrated by lithographic charts and maps, shows, as a result of tho examination of over @ million of men, the relation of diseaso to social condition, complexion, age, height, nativity, ov- cupation and locality. Early application by those de- siring the report should be made to their memper of Congress or Sepator, as the number to be distributed is. comparatively limited. With the facts adduced from close observation on the cases of the million of men ex- amined during the drait to fill the army in the closing years of the recent war, the tables of the Iifo insurance business may be shown tobe in need of modilication and readjustment. THE EMMA MINE INVESTIGATION—GENERAL SCHENCK'S EXAMINATION DELAYED. The report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on Gen- eral Schenck’s case will not be presented, or, indeed, made up, before next week. Tho letter of Mr. Cheeso- borough being new matter, and General Schenck being entitled to make a reply to it if he wishes, tho com- mittee felt it was due to General Schonck to give him the opportunity to do the latter, and notice was accord- ingly about to be served upon him whon it was found he had gone to Dayton, Ohio, Tho “notice was theroupon sent by tolegraph to him, and as he will probably get here aud be heard before the ena of the week the committee will be delayed as above said. The report will severely censure the ex-Minister to England, and to give effect to this verdiet the majority of the committee are quite desirous of presenting the report as the unan'mous ac- tion of the whole committee, To secure this result the | democrats are, it 1s said, willing to make some: con- cessions to the republican members of the committee in the view to be taken of General Schenck’s conduct; tor this reason the report is as yet undergoing diges- tion, Announcements, therefore, of any nature in ad- vance of the final action of the tull commitsee will be yntrustworthy. EXPLOSIVES ON ELLIS ISLAND, Residents of New York and vicinity who have been alarmed by the heave storazo near them of explosive goods will be glad to learn that the subject has received the attention of Congress, Mr. Hardenvurg, of New Jorsey, introduced to-day the following resgluion which was appropriately referred :— Whereas, by reason of the proximity to the most densely jou jons of the cities of Jer city and New York, on Eilis Island, in the bay of New York, @ great source of danger and insecurity to the lives of a million of people exists; theretore Resolved, that the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds be requested to consider and rt a bul providing tor the speeny removal of the said powder magazine to @ location wi hero such u Ganger cannot oxime, THE BELKNAP IMPEACHMENT—THE SENATE STILL DEBATING THE QUESTION OF JURIG- DICTION, When the Senate resumed consideration of the artl- cles of impeachment against W. W. Belknap to-day, Mr. Barnum, the new Senator from Connecticut, was Sworn ip as @ member of the Court. The discussion on tho question of jurisdiction was then continued, and eee ee HERALD, TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1876,—TRIPLE SHEET. . Mr, Mitchell, of Oregon, made a longthy argument in i favor thereof. He was followed by Mr. Logan in op position thereto, A SUCCESSOR TO DOORKEEPER FITZHUGH. ‘The democrats of the House will hold a caucus to- morrow (Tuesday) evening, to select a doorkeeper in place of L, H. Fitzhugh, who was removed to-day. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasmsatox, May 22, 1876, THE MEMOBIAL OF A. M. CLAPP, THE GOVERN- MENT PRINTER, REFERRED TO THE COMMIT- TER ON PRIVILEGES. The memorial of A, M. Clapp, tho government man and referred tv the Committee on Privileges and Flecticns, sets forth the resolution of the House of Representatives under which the Printivg Commitice of that vody hay conducted {ts recent investigation, and states that the memorialist and his subordinates attended as witnesses and furnished to it a number of books which are necessary to the transaction of the business of ment printing office, and which the commit- tee refuse to return, The memorialist further representa that the purpose of said committee seems to of the testimony taken relates to matters wholly out- side of the scope of the investigation directed by the House of Representatives. Ho continues as tollows:— “It if was the purpose of sa'd committee to ascertain the truth in regard to the management of said printing establishment they wero alike unfortunate in their selection of witnesses and in. tho manuer of their examination. Many of the witnesses had heen employés and had been dismissed from said establishment for cause. | These witnesses manifested the utmost willingness to Slate pretended facts calculated to throw discredit upon your memorialist, Other witnesses were engaged in tho busimess of printing and binding, and looked upon tho government establishment us being in the way of fat Jobs thoy might expect to secure should the gov- ernment depart from its present policy and return to the contract system of printing. Your memorialist further represents that the treatment of your memor- falist and his subordinates and employés while before said commitice was abusive and tyranvical, and when their answers, containing a trathful statoment of | facts, were not satisfactory to the committee, they were threatencd with punishment for contempt of the Honse, Tho well catablished methods of examining witnesses in courts of justice were departed from,, ind the rales of evidence which have been found by centuries of oxnorience necessary to ascertain truth commities has reported to the House a mass of stuff consisting of hearsay gossip, speculation and opinions of witnesses based upon errors of fact which is as un- just to your memorialist as it is mjurious to bis repu- tation as an officer of the Senate, Mr. Clapp, after oxpressing his belicf that Mr. Frauklin Rives and other peraons have entered jnto a conspiracy to give him the publication of the Con- gressional debates, which, if successtul, would® enrich Rives at the expense of the government, proceeds to state that tho House Commuttee recently in- formed bim that they intended svon to close the case, and allowed him less than three days in which to ex- amine the testilmony against him and produce other witnesses to rebut it, He asserts that this time was ‘utterly insuMficieut for the purpose, and that, more- over, be was then advised by counsel that the House had no jurisdiction to impeach, criticise or censure him, and that he ought-not to make an appearance at the time indicated. In conclusion, he declares that he is ready and able to vindicate his official character against all aspersions, aud prays an investigation by some committee of the Senate, c By Mr. Wilson—Witness testified that his wages were reduced in December last trom $900 to $600 per anouln, and, while he was nov Pleased with the reduc- tion, he did not make any disturbance about it; wit- ness obtained from G. M. Menn $45 and trom his brother $13 to pay nis expenses to Washington; no other parties helped him ; after witness had been in the Custom House a tew weeks ba discovered some frauds golng on and made up his mind to take anote of them and if they over atteinpted to discharge him he would hold these tacts over them; he put down the lust frauds in January and February of this year; when he camo up bete to testify he took his books and deposited them with a friend for fear that when they came to find out down there that he was here testifying they would steal them out of his house, Further examination of the witness was deferred to take the testimony of D. D. Foley. D, D. Foley, of Wasnington, testifiod that as a lawyer be was ongaged in the prosecution of a largo ciaim for Peruvian guano, involving $100,000,000; dur- ing the prosecution of that claim he learned that James Casey, F, F. Hersto and Nicholas Casey were inter- ested in the claim, having paid Dr. J. L. Landrean, the owner of the ciaim, $2,800 and promised to aid in the prosecution of the caso; Mr, Thomas, Minister to Peru, resigned, and then Casey used his influence to have Mr. Gibbs appointed im his place; the Caseys and Hersto wore to receive filty per cent of the proceeds of the claim; witness bad a conversation with Casey after Mr. Thomas resigned, and Casey told witness that Mr. Gibbs would be appointed, but the appointment would not be made until after the executive seusion of the Senate had adjourned; this was in Murch, 1875, and im about a week after the Senate adjourned Mr, Gibbs was appointed; Casey told witness that Secretary Fish opposed tho appointment of Gibbs; witness was lawyer for Dr. Landrean, and the latter ‘wanted witness to go to Pera ab secretary to Mr. Gibbs, #0 that he could better prosecute the case, and that was why he held the conversation with Casey; tho United States wore prosecuting this case in a diplo- matic way, but had no pecuniary interest in the matter; witness sald that Casey, being a government oficer, violated the statute i baying an Interest in a claim in which the United States was a party; witness worked nine months for Dr. Lundrean, and thea Landreaa sold ont his claim to Henry D. and Jay Cooke without paying witness for bis services, The statute was hunted up and the committee jold Mr. woley that the statute had not been violated at all, as the govern- mont was only acting as negotiator, without having a eent of interest in the proceeds, ‘This witness had told the committoe about ten days ago that he had some important information to give, and the committeo had been summoned, and ho has veen waiting till to-day to testify. Alter ho had testi- fied a motion was mado that the testimony be strickon from the record, as having no bearing on the matter bo- fore the commitice, It was finally allowed to remain for a few days, simply to see if anything else cameo out of it, Adjourned. MIDNIGHT WEATHER REPORT. War Derantwexr, Orrick oF THK CHier SiGxat Ovricen, Wasutsorox, May 23—1 A. M Probabiiities, For the South Atlantic and East Gulf States, rising barometer, winds veering to northerly or easterly, cooler, partly cloudy weather and rain arcas, For the West Gulf States, rising barometer, southeast to northeast winds, slightly cooler, partly cloudy weather and loval rains. For Tennessee and the Ohio Valley, rising barometer, north to east winds and cool, clear weather. For the upper lakes, Upper Miasiseppi and Missouri valloys, rising followed by falling barometer, cool northerly winds, veo:ing,to warmer east or south, and generally clear weather, except possibly occasional rains, In the last section, For the lower lakes and Middlo States, rising and high barometer, brisk and high northwest to north- cast winds, diminishing in force, decidedly cool and generally clear weather. by For New England, ri ing barometer, brisk and bigh northwest to northeast winds, decidedly cool and cloar or clearing weather. Cautionary signals continue along Lake Ontario and on the coast from Savannah 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 Average temperature yesterday. Average temperature for corresponding date last wee 10% YORE, eeceeseee svecsesenscevscesesecees TOM printer, presented to the Senate to-day by Mr. Sher- | the govern. | have been to cast censureupon him, and that much | and exclude error, were constantly violated, and the | | will be Imnited to complimentary votes, 1 another NEW JERSEY DEMOCRACY. THE STATE CONVENTION AT TRENTON TO-DAT— EX-GOVERNOK JOEL PARKER AND THE PRESI- DENCY—WILL THE CONVENTION PROCLAIM HIM 1IT8 FIRST CHOICK?—‘‘THE TALK” De THAT DIRECTION—TILDEN STOCK IX THE “TIGHT LITTLE STATE”--PRELIMINARY CON- VENTION NOTES. Tuxxzow, May 22, 1874, To-morrow will ba held here the New Jersey Demo- cratic State Convention, The indications are that it will be correspondingly full of life and animation in the | same degree that the Republican Convention, held here last week, was lacking tm these qualities, The leading question discussed bere this evening, and for that matter throughout the State all last week, was, What will the Convention do in the matter of pledging or in- structing delegates? It seems pretty safo to say (un- less | am grossty misinformed as to the general senti- ments of the State semoeuy that the Convention will present the name of Hon. Jocl Parker ta the St. Louis Convention as New Jersey’s first choice for President. The presentation will be made in the respectful but forcible manner that Mr. Tilgen’s was embodied in the platform of the ‘ork erut‘c Convention. ‘set forth, in a correspondence published a few weeks ago in the Hxraxp, the friends | of Mr. Parker urge him on the following grounde:-~ i WHAT Mit. PARKER'S PRIKNDB BAY. In the first place they assume that the chances of Mr. | Tilden’s securing the two-thirds vote at St. Louis are | Satully weakened because of the powerful open and so- | eet upposition which they believe exists toward him | fn bis own State and of tho still more powerful oppo- a there is to him in the Weat by th enw Al- friends, who consider that Tilden’ ce and not Hayes’ popularity laid the old man out in the cam- paign last fail. paar ayo 2 and politically Mr. Parker's triends say they admire Mr. Tilden, and, if he should be nominated, would give him no hali-hearted support; but, for the reasons stated, they do not regard bis | chances of getting the nomination as likely. _ Tilton defeated, thoy think it more than probable that Tilden’s Jriends would detent the nomination of a Western map, and that, besides, the Western strength of THE IXPLATION HERESY is alone enough ww rale out a Western man, Parker, they proceed to argue, would be acceptable to the rival factions in the West and inthe East as 4 compromise candidate, one upon whom they could all unite, His strong points, say they, are his perfect disassociation from any party ring or clique, his great popularity among the maxses in his own State and in bis own county (which recently pagsed strong laudatory resolu. tions advocating the presentation of nis name to St, Louis by the Convention here to-morrow), his pericctiy spotless and unsullied personal and public reputation, his thorough ftners tor the Presidency as re- { gards poet at thoush last not least, hus great popularity in Pennaylvania, which, they be- lieve, would secure that State to the democracy. It | was Mr. Parker's fortune to be Governor of New Jersey when the salety of Pennsylvania was threatened by the His promptness im massing Jersey troops on the soil of the Keystone State in response to the appeals of Governor Curtin, thus saving tho | State from beimg overridden and devastated by the enemy, won the admiration of the. Pennsylvanians, as expressed through Governor Curtin’s official ac- knowledgment Another strong pomt tor Mr. Parker with the Pennsylvanians 18 that while be was a second time Governor of hia native State the latter led all the States ina generous subscription to the Centennial. Ou the whole, Mr. Parker's nomimation, his advocates Very properly insist, would utterly dispose of the re- publican use of ‘THE SWORD OF SKCTIONAL STRIPE. There has been some talk of tate in the State thay, Senator Runaolph aud his. triends are secretly opposed to Mr. Parker, that they desire Parker kuiled off for rst place on tho ucket and Kandolph advanced tor the second. A prominent demucratic State official, one who is regarded as # familiar ot Mr. Randolph’s, pronounces this statement as being cat from the whole cloth. He says Randolph favors Mr, Parker’s nomtna- tion, He himself considers that the Convention here would act most wisely in making use of Governor Par- ker’s nume as described above. TILDEN'S JERSKY STOCK, Atter Parker, Mr. Tilden is the average Jerseyman’s choice, and, even as it is, with all their feelings of State pride, there are delegates whose first chuico is Governor Tilden. The Sussex county delegation comes justructed to vote for Tilden. Asa whole, tho general impression seems tg be that while: Mr. Tilden 1 In one sense a stronger muh shan Purker, the latter is, never- theless, all thizgs considered, the most available, the safest, surest, least vulncrablo to attacks within ané without the party. PROWADILITIRS AT MIDNIGHT. It is now within an hour of miunight and alroady ia massed here one half the convention—that is to sa; Letween 400 and 500 delegates. All I have heard here, after a carciul canvass of leading democrats, coniirme, the forecast given above, viz.—that the sentiment is ab one way, tor conditionally pledging tne delegates be chosen to-morrow fur Joel Parker for President There is some small opposition to this course: but it fs beloved that by morning oprnions will be res considered, so that the Convention will oxpress a unan~ imous vote for Varker, Quite a contrast 1s presented t0~ the cundition of affairs at the Repubiican,Convention last week on the night before it met. I do not reter to nam- r enthusiasin, for the uaterrified are always a Contederates, t delegates, to * give a pretty positive prediction as re gards organization, delegates, &e, This time nothing to be cut and dried. ‘he State Committee have arranged for temporary officers of the Convention, but there ix nothing said about the permanent orgamiza- tion; that is to be left wilte-morrow. Thus, as re- gards delegates, there is no certainty ax thero was last wi In Senatorial aud district delegutos there is sharp rivalry. I give the result of my canvass of coun- ties, For Delegates-ut-Large there are named:—Joha McGregor, of. Eseex; Leon Abbett, of Hudson; John P. Stockton, of Mercer; A. A. bem of Ex- sex; Miles Ross, of Middlesex; Henry C. Kelsey, of Suseex Robert Gilchrist, of Hudson, and W. W. Shippen, of Hoboken. Tne ticket 1s most hkely to bo Abbett, McGregor, Stockton and For district delegates there is a swarm of aspiranta, Thoso reduced are as follows:—First dis- trict, A. V. G. Hongland; Second district, G. D. W. Vroom, Caleb G. Ridgeway and Garrett §. Cannon; Third district, Messra. Patterson, Yates aod Kingsland; Fourth district, John H. Lyon, Samuel Smith and J. J. Bergen; Fifth district, John Hopper, Garret Ackorson and A. B. Woodruff; th district, David Dodd, P. Doyle and B. J. Ford; Seventh district, Rudolph Rabe,. A. Q G, Barretison and Patrick Laverty, Each district is restricted to two delegates, i Se nieniernal yen at purposed to be a serenade was tendered to-night to ex-Senator John P. Stockton in front of the Trenton House. 1t was the first time ho appeared before what might be called the State democracy since his retire- ment from the United ‘States Senate. He was received very coidly, effort to got ups cheer for him at the start being a dead failure. Mr, Stockton made a lengthy specch, dwelling upon tance of the centennial campaign. to think, he said, that the only strength Mr. Bristow had was because his banner was em- blazoned with reform. The whole nationgwasdebased, he sald, by the present administration. The only en- thusiastic cheers he excited was when he mentioned Joel Parker’s name and proclaimed bim as the man for the emergency, the first choice of New Jersey for the Presidency. Mr. Stockton was followed in a vigorous democratic speech by Mr. Leon Same who likewise pronounced himself in favor of Parker for Prosident. TH® TKMPORARY ORGANIZATION, The State Committee have agreed upon the following temporary organizatior Chairman, Mr. Leon eet ot Hudson; Secretaries, pada Sper ai James L. Barr and Thomas G. nnel POLITICS IN MINNESQTA, REPUBLICANS CONTROLLED BY THE OFFICE HOLDERS—TILDEN THE DEMOCRATIC FAVORITE, Sr. Pav, May 19, 1876. In January last a considerable demonstration was made among Minnesota republicans tn favor of Mr, Blame tor President. The circumstances indicated that the movement had its origin in Washington, with the men who have, with little opposition, directed all the action of tho party in this State since 1863, It was then proposed to call the State Convention while'the Legislature was in session, it baving first been ascortained that at lenst the republicans in the Blaine to be their first proposition was combatied by the few supporters of Mister Washburne—(there is a brauch of bis large family in thw State)—and vy prominent party men who thought the Blaine movement at least premature. Since then a number of country papers have advocated Bristow’s pommatiou, and it utterances. with the talk of visitors here from . diferent of the State, would indicate that Bristow is the ft of the rural districta, Washburne’s support, it he bas any in the Convention (which meets on the by one brotper’s residence and brother’ vestments in Minneapolis. Senator McMill in this city aro tor Bristow, Washburne or Hayes in pretcrence to Blaine, and, governed by their ion to the coutrol of Ramsey and Windom, would choose Conkting or Morton sf they could thereby garry the state Convention. But the party in tus State is en- tirely subservient to the oftice-bolders, and these beiong to Ramsey, Windom, Bil King and the other two Rep- resentatives in Congress, Seontor McMillan has not succeeded to Ramsey's official patronage, The Con- vention, therefore, will not be tor tow, bat it will not instruct for Blaine, and ite del may not be | sree tohim. The delegation wi! ey vote for im on the opening ballots, but alter will be linn Ned, if avail, obly by the personal interests of the olfice-holding fraterbity. That is to say, just as soon as Blaine not to be the coming nan the guar. dians of the delegation will deliver it over to the next Vest man, The electoral vote of the State will be given to the Cincinnati nominee, whoever he may be, Amoug democrats in this State the general expres- sion sin favor of Tilden, with a few vorces raised for Thurman aud Hendricks and occasional preferences of Hancock ganized, Convention, might, through the operation of jooal aod have beon carried adverse to Tilden but or theo) i. posted m i* now, however, and especially of the uddress of the Filth Avenue casioa for doubting but that the Will bo tor Tilden, | The delegation shoaid bo uninst unit, but that none should bo who are not knowa to be for