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

SUIICAL UNCERTAINTIES, Florida's Supreme Court Directs a Count That Will Make the State Democratic. COMPROMISE FOR SOUTH CAROLINA )ai Adjournment of Her Doub'e-Housed Legislature, PENNSYLVANIA’S APPEAL. Her Democratic Leaders Conjure Congress and the People to Sustain Tilden. INDIANA FOR PEACE, Governor “Blue Jeans” Williams Has No Forebodings of Strife. SOUTH CAROLINA FINAL ADJOURNMENT OF THE THREE-LEGGED LEGISLATURE—A REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL FOR COMPROMISE—APPROACH OF CHAMBERLAIN'S COLLAPSE, [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Co.umnia, Dec, 22, 1876, ‘The adjournment to day of the Mackey House and the Senate sine die, which was followed by theadjourn- ment sine die also of the democratic House, leaves the two Governors unhampered by their respective Legis- latures. Everybody 18 now on the qui vive for devol- opments to-morrow. The question that agitates the political leaders on both sides is, what will they do? As indicated in my despatches Just night, \t 18 anticipated that Chamberlain wil resort to a proclamation requiring Hampton and his government ‘to disperse in three days.”’ This, of course, will not bo complied with, and the next thing will be either a tonflict, provoked by the Chamberlain special con- stabulary im the attempt to arrest Hampton and his goverument, or a duplicate proclamation from Presi+ dent Grant, which will be followed by martial law, CHAMBERLAIN GROWING NERVOUS, It is well known to-night that Chamberlain was very uneasy and nervous all day, under the apprehension that the Senate would rescind the concurrent resolu- tion to adjourn sine die and merely take a recoss, by which they could reconvene at the call of tho Presi- dent, the President pro tem, or a committee author- sod to make,the call. Ho was constantly running up aid down stairs all day, through the files of soldiers und special constabulary in the State Houso, from the Executive OMice to the Senate chamber urging a final adjournment, ME PEARED A COMPROMISE. This oxcitemént and alarm on the part of Governor Chamberlain is accounted for by tho action of a repub- lican caucus of about forty members of the Mackey House and Senate, at which proposals for a compro- mise were offered and favorably discussed. The cau- cus included all the Senators, which is an Indication that the republican members of that body are weak- ening as to the validity of Coamberiain’s government, and that they are becoming satistied that Hampton will eventually triumph, despite the support of the national government, WHAT WAS PROPOSED, The compromise submitted und discussed wi It proposed to fecognize the democratic House, and Wallace as the Speaker; and to give the democrats the Attorney General aud Comptroller General; providing thet the democrats would agree to sond Chamberlain to the United States Senate; recognize Lieutenant Governor Gleaves, colored, as the President of the Senate; and give tho republicans the offices of the Sccretary of State, Treasurer, Adjutant General, and Superimtend- ent of Evucation. In addition to this propesition another was sub mitted giving Chamberlain tl :vernorship, recogniz- liberal, ve Hampton the Governorship; to ~ tug the democratic House nud Wailace as Speaker; to fend Hampton to the United States Senate, and Monopolize a majority of the State executive offices i the republicans; but this was not seriously enter- tained, because the caucus felt satisfied the democrats would not accede to anything which did not give hampton the Goveruorship Ji was also submitted ‘nm both cases that an equal division of the county offices shouid be made between the two parties in tho evout of the proposed compro- mise being accepted. ADVOCACY OF THE COMPROMISR FROM AN UNEXPECTED SOURCE The caucus adjourned without action; but, to the astonishment of everybody, to-day Whittemore, of cadetehip fame, the most ultra radical in the Senate, made quice @ conservative speech, which was 80 tinged with compromise ac to provoke the indignatiwn ot the Governor and his partisans, Whittemore succeeded, however, in having a commitieo of three democratic senators and three republican Se tors appointed, ostensibly for the purpose of inves gating and reporting on the legality of the organization o1 the Mackey House, but really, it is thought, to effect if 1b is possible, the first of the proposed compromises given above. This committee 1s to meet within ten ays, and to continue its sessions until its labors are completed, and Whittemore is the shairman. Hence Governor Chamberiatu’s atarm; and as Mr. Jobn Cochrane, a leading republican Senator, has flied an elaborate protest against the lo- rality of the Mackey House, his alarm is not un- rounded, All this accounts tor Governor Chamber- fain’s anxiety to hasten the adjournment sine dic of both the Senate and Mackey House, [t ts ap ent that the republican memvers of the Senate see that the piospects. ot Chamberiain and his government are opeless even with the support of the federal gevern- ment They recognize the grave fact, to them, ‘hat the taxpayers are resolved to pay no money to Chamborlain’s representatives, and further, that Chamboriain’s officials will not dare to enforce the collection of a tax uniess supported by federal bayonets in every instance. Republicans con- cede to-night that there is no hope now for Chamber. Jain bat a declaration of motti) law by the Pre: are dubious as to whether thei ernor will be able to work up a case or furnish a justi- Deation for it COURSE OF THY TWO GOVERNORS. In this way matters are brought to a crisis by the adjournment of the Legislature; and it remains to bo seen what course the two Govervors will pursue, Hampton's course is clear, He stands on the broaa jatiorm of ght and he is virtually to-day the actual Bovernor of the State, Funds aro flowing in with apazing rapiduy from the taxpayers and he has been notified by the banks that his checks as Governor will bo honored by them for any amounthe may find necessary to carry onthe government He is fully prepared for any emergency that may arise, and as An instance of this to-nigni, when Speaker Wallace sent to know if he had any communication to inake to the House, bo replied, . L have nothing more to say; I have no further use for the House, and gm 8-tsfed they should ad- journ snd go home.” The democratic House accordingly adjourned sine die, This little speech indicates that Humpton knows what be is doing, w that, whatevor course Chamber! may pursue, hi prepared to meet it through the courts and other yeaceable channels, Tum Hamilton and N. B. Myers, two of the colored republican members who seceded from the Mackey House, called upon Hampton to-night hands before gowg home. They asked bie as to what they should say to their colored ituents, and he told them to ‘say to both whites and colored people that he wished them to keep the peace, to make their labor c: acts for the next year, to resort to no violon assure them on his responsibility that ‘they would soon bave a yoverument notof a party, but of the whole peoplo,”? He ix m hourly receipt of communi- cations from officials who have been commissioned by Unamberlain, enclosing their commission# back, and asking him to issue them new ones before they take possession of their offices, POPULAR SENTIMENT, t night, which will over the State, has ag substantially antici- morial to*Congress, which pated in the HERALD despatches of Monday, was com- pleted and torwarded to both houses of Congresa,to- aay. WORK OF THE COMMITTEES, The action of the House and Senate committees was ‘upim: ant, The former, after obtaining some addi- tonal official testi wil probably ascertain the re: vote from their-corrected returns to-morrow, WORK OF THE CONGRESSIONAL SUB-COMMITTEES, [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) CuaRurston, 8. C., Dec, 22, 1876, The Congressional sub-committees, of which Messrs. Cochrane and Phillips are chairmen, elicited nothing of importance to-day in relation to the intimidation of ymocratic negroes, The testimony was of a general tharacter, tending to show the bitter spirit of the colored people toward those of their own race whom they viow as political apostates, Their narrowness and flearth of ideas make thom essentially intolerant, and the results aro terrible examples of brutal persecu- we ch a8 remind one with a shndder of the night of the Dart ages, The investigators have not fully de- termined the exact scope of their future ‘action, bat ifeommon report be true they will fing no difficulty im Joarning of hundreds of cases which have occurred in the counties along the coast of greater atrocity than that examined yesterday, The negroes inhabiting the coast islands are dreadiul in a species of savagery al- most as sinister as that of the Sioux and the ancestral tribes of Central Africa. The rule of terror which they exercise bas yet to be depicted in its living colors to the public, who, aps, would not believe its full extent and attendant horrors, The white citt- zens are haunted by apprehension that this canai!le will ove day rise in the intoxication of leense and outrage, and blight their bomes, and they hope fervently there- fore for a thorouch exposure through # Congressional agency. The sub-committees bave thus far with doors closed against the press, in order that the pub- lication of the testimony prematurely may not defeat their purpose by subjecting the witnesses from whom they ive their information to violence and intimida- tion. SOCIAL COURTES! The Washington Light Infantry, of South Carolina, called this evening upon General N. P. Banks, whose courteous attentions at the Bunker Hill Celebration they warmly remember, and at a later hour tendered him a characteristic entertainment. Tho Congressional committeemen are guests at a Danquet given to-night by the New England Society, LOUISIANA, TESTIMONY BEFORE THE CONGRESSIONAL COM- MITTEES—VIOLENCE CHARGED ON BOTH SIDES—RETURNS CHANGED TO SHOW REPUD- LICAN MAJORITIES, New Ortgays, Dec, 22, 1876, In tho session of the Senate Investigating Committce the proposition to require the Returning Board to pro- duce the original records of the votes of the State was ncgatived bya party division, the republicans avorring that the Board being required to complete the State canvass by the 5th of January, have not the time now to furnish the desired Information and professing to be willing to call for the full returns at a Jater time, William R. Hardy, D'strict Attorney of Ouachita, testified to several cases of murder and violenco in thet pa and stated that the election the: was largely influenced by democratic —in- timidation, — Soveral witnesses testified to violent language and incendiary advico by Joln McEwen at public meetivgs prior to the election, Others repeated tales of democratic out- rages. On the other hand, storics of republi- can violence by negroes mainly mado up the bulk of testimony before the House commitice E. A. Burko procuced taily-sheets ot a rejected poll in the Eleventh ward showing a democratic majority of 300, It wi included in the report of the Board. Lieut Holmes, Thirteenth United States infontry, testified to the peacetul character of the canyuss 1m East Baton Rouge and East Feliciana. Similar testimony was taken by the House sub-com- mittee for Orleans and adjacent parishes A telegram from Baton Rouge states that Repro- sentative Joyce, of the sub-committee, is quite uawell, but declines to resign his duties ther P Tho Senate committec and attachés accepted an in- vitation to a pry. at ex-Governor Pinchback’s this evening. Thedemocratic members did not attend. Republicans explain the receipt of the box ot cart- ridges by Captain Foster, of Catahoula parish, re- Jated by Frank Johnson, colored, before the House Committee yesterday, that Foster was cap- tnin of a militia company which was organizod two years before; that his company was composed of white men and was legally organized under the militta law 01 tho State, and that the cartridges were sent openly and without regard to the approaching election upon & regular requisition of Captain Forsyth, RETURNS ALTERED. Suexverort, Dec, 22, 1876. The proceedings beforo the sub-committee here to- day were of much importance, The testimony of re- publican local officials was taken to the effect that the protest of the Super- visor of Registration of Bossier parish was materially altered alter its proper verification, and £0 as to change the result in favor of the repub- lican ticket; also that said Supervisor rofused to pub- lish the protest of republican frauds and irregularities. ‘All the evidence shows an enurely peaceable eloc- tion, without intimidation, except on the part of radi- cals toward colored voters. A large number of ne- eS 8 testified to having ireely voted the democratic ticket. FLORIDA. A SUPREME COURT ORDER WHICH GIVES THE DEMOCRATS THE STATE, [BY TELEGRAPH 10 THE HERALD,] e TALLAWASSRE, Dee. 22, 1876: ‘Tho Supreme Conrt, in its decision rendered today, sustained the Drew demurrer to the answer of the Canvassing Board, and grants a peremptory order to tho Board to recanvaas tho vote of the State from the face of the county returns, This gives the State to Tilden by small majority, and of course elects the valance of the democratic ticket, including both con- gressmon, ‘The democrats are quietly but heartily enjoying their victory. Counsel for the Board gave notice of motion to amend thetr: answer, but intimatod at the same time that be was doubtful as to what, if anything, he had to “The Court adjourned to nine A. M. to-morrow, and announces its determination to adjourn sine die to- morrow. OPINION OF THE COURT. s the view that tho Board of State Canvassers have power strictly judicial, such as 18 involved m the determination of the legality of a particular vote or clectiou, caunot ve sustained, ‘The Court here gives the constitutional and statutory: provisions 10 rezard to the division of powers mm the State, and porvides that all of tho acts which t Board can do under the statute must be based upon the returns, and while in some cases the officers may, like all ministerial officers of similar character, exciude what purports to be a return lor ir- regularity, still everything they are — author- jad todo js limited to what is sanctioned by authentic and true returns before them. Their Qual act aod determination must be such as appeurs from and is shown by the returns trom the several counties to ve correct. They have no general power to issue subpa@nas, to summon parties, to com- 1 the attendarce of witnesses, to grant a trial by jury, or todo any act but determine and declare who has been clected as shown by the returns, Th are authorized to enter no judgment, and their power 18 limited by the express words of the statute, which gives them “being” to the signing of a certificate coo- taining the whole number of votes given for each per- son for each office, aud therein declaring the re- sult as shown by the returns, This certificate thus signed is not a jadicial judgment, and the determina- tion and declaration which they make 18 nota judicial declaration—tbut is a determination of a rejection alter Dotice, according to the general law .of the land, as to the right of parties—but is a jeclaration of a conclusion limited and restricted by the letter of (he statute, such limited deciaravion and deter- mination by a board of State convuseers has been de- clared by a large majority of the courts to be a ministerial function, power and duty, as distinct from ajudicial power und Jurisdiction. Indeod, with the ex- ception of the courts in Louisiana, and perbaps an- other State, no judicial sanction can be found for the view that these officers are judicial in their character, orthat they have any discretion either executive, legislative or judicial, which is not bound and fixed by the returns belore them. COUNTING THE RETURNS, The duty to oount the returns has been enforced by mandamus so repeatedly in the courts of the several States of the Union that the power of the courts in this eet has long ‘since ceased to be an open question, We must, there- fore, decide that the general nature of the power given by tho statute ts ministerial, and that to the extent that any strictly and purely judicial power is granted, such power cannot exist aller a minute inquiry as to the powers of the Board under the statute. THE REJECTION OF VOTES. The Court determined as to their action in certain counties, In Jackson county the Board had rejected 557 of the votes cast on the ground of irregularity and fraud in the conduct of the election, there being no plea on the part of the Board that the return from this county in iteolf faiso, fraudulent or irregu- dar, he rt ided it to be the duty of =the Board to count i. The same action, and for the same reasons; were had by the Board in the counties of Hamiltcn and Monro and the same order was made by the Court. Ther jection by the Board of the entiro return from fanatee county on the ground of irregularity in the conduct of tho election was held by the Court to transcend their powers and the roturn or- dored to be counted from its face as to tho counties of Hernando, Orange and Leon, a number of votes had been deducted trom t cutire votes cast in these counties because they wore illegally cast, and a vote was deducted in Jefferson because it was iraudulentiy cast. The Court held that there were questions which the law did vot allow the Board to determine, being purely questions of law. The Board must count these feturns as ne admit them in their pleadings to be returns, within the meaning of the statate, In Clay county the Board had added thirty-five votes as bav- ing been improperly rejected by the County Canvassing Board, and six votes were deducted because cast by non-resi This action of the board was repudiated, The Canvassing Boara must count the roturns in foto, they cannot alter the face, and can only reject when the returns in itself is false, fraudulent or irregular. The Court concludes, under the pleadings and the constitu- ton and the statute as applied by their own Judgment, is that the demurrer must be sustained, The peremp- tory writ must be awarded, THE HOUSE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING DUVAL couNTY. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD, 1 JACKSONVILLE, Dec, 22, 1876, The head committee of the House of Representa- tives reached Jacksonville to-night, and will go to work Duval county to-morrow. Th great rejoicing here over the decision of the Supreme Court, which gives the State to the demo- crate, FRAUD PROVED AT KEY WEST. | Wasnivaton, Dec. 22, 1876. Private despatchus rom Florida received here to-day by abigh government officer that the teatumony taken by the Democratic Congressional Investigating Committee this afteruoon goes to confirm the allega- Hons of fraud and intimidation on the part of the pm a tg im the second precinct of the Key West ri OREGON, ADDRESS OF THB DEMOCRATIC STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE—MASS MEETINGS TO BE HELD THROUGHOUT THE STATE. San Franciaco, Dec. 22, 1876. ASalem, Oregon, despatch say: State Central Committee met yesterday, an address to the people of Oregon, calling for mass meetings to be held in every county on the 8th of January mext to consider the political situation and to protest against the returning boards of the three doubtful Southern States, ant especially that of Louisiat The meeting represented two-thirds of the counties, and was attended by other prominent democrats (rom various parts of the State, abuut thirty persons in all, THE ADDRESS is mainly devoted to a review of the action of the Louisiana Returning Board. An organized effort will undoubtedly be made to make the demonstration as imposing as possible. The committee endorsed Gov- ernor Grover’s action in the Cronin case, PENNSYLVANIA. MEETING OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE COM- MITTEE--AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE AND TO CONGRESS TO EFFECTUATE THE ELECTION OF TILDEN AND HENDRICKS AS PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT. Harriaena, Pa., Dec. 22, 1876, Tho Democratic State Committee met to-day to con- sult regarding the Presidential lection. In addition to tho members of the State Committee a number of representative democrats of the State were in attend- ance. Chairman McClelland, who presided, made a short address setting Jorth the objects of the meeting. A resolu.ion was adopted that tho invited guests be permitted to participate in the proceedings, George W. Biddle, of Philadelphia, offered a resolu- tion authorizing the chairman of the State Committee to appoint a committee of five to draw up a paper ex- pressive of the sentithents of the meeting. On motion of Lieutenant Governor Latta the com- mittee was increased to thirteen, with the chairman of the State Central Committee as its chairman, and tho following gentiemen were selected as the committee :— George W. Biddle, William Bigler, James P. Barr, Richard Vaux, B. F. Meyers, W. H. Davis, John Latta’ J. Cammings, ¥. M. Pierce, A, J. Steinman, 8. A, Bridges, Jobn R. Reed and William McClelland. While the committce was deliberating the report prepared by Governor Bigler concerning the action of the Louisiana Returning Board was read to tbo meet. ing. The report, which occupied a quarter of an hour mn reading, gave a iull history of the action of the Board and the experience of the commission, of which Governer Biglor was a member. The meeting then took a recess until half-past ono o'clock. AN APPEAL TO THE PROPLE, At the afternoon session the following address was adopted unanimously :— To Tu® PROPLE OF PENNSYLVANIA: — We address you in that spirit of patriotism which is common to ail the citizens of this Commonwealth, ‘The political condition o1 our country is traught with impending peril. The expression by the people of their iutention to support Loose constitutional means which will meet the issue made on the question of the Presidency may prevent what otherwise we will de- plore. Whatever violates either the letter or the spirit of the constitution tends to weaken and may destroy our government There is not a question or a mi ure relating to the peace and happiness of the whole people exciting cogtroversy and portending discord for which the constitution fails to provide, A MIGH AND SOLEMY DU Tho election of Presivent und Vico President of the United States is a high and solemn duty of the people of tho several States. An attempt to evade obedience to the popular will by any effort to distort the mean- ing of the constitution by interpretation of law, to seok to setup Tiers against the lace of this declared will, ig substituting revolutionary expedients tor con- tional methods. Senate und House of Representatives of the United States have by the constitution the sole and exclusive power to settle all questions which relate to the validity of the electoral votes of the several States, In one event the constitution gives the House of Repre- sentatives the power to elect the President. We, thero- fore, earnestly invoke from you every effort cognizable by law for the execution and support of the constitu- tional methods by which is to be determined who aro the lawfully clected President and Vice President of tne United States. We invite those who fect the present dauger to aid in all lawful tnoans which mi induce the Senators and Representatives of tho States and peopie im Congress assembled to obey the plain in- tent and meaning of the constitution and laws, and not in defiance thereto to place :n the bigh offices of the government men whose title 1s tainted with fraud, THE PKOPLN’S POWER. 46 free citizens of this Commonwealth we suggest that you consider those measures which such a con- tingency may invite or command, We bei large uber of our citizens, Who are too patriotic to be bound by the designs of the managers of the present administration of the general government, are pre- parod openly to condemn the disposition they mani- fost to plunge the country intoa sea of danger rather than return to the people the trust committed to them for a specilicd period of a Presidential term. Tho people wili, with courage and calmness and full faith in their sovereignty as the source of all political power, make these declaratious that their servants may listen and obey. TILDEN AND HENDRICKS ELECTED. Believing that these opinions are entertained by ali bonest and patriotic citizens, we declare that Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hendricks were, on the 7th day of November last, elected Vresident and Vice President of the United States, Seli-xratulation bas no part in this, our solemn statement of the fact upon which we intend to rest our iuture conduct. We call upon the members of both houses of Congress to adopt such lawful meaus as may load to the official deciaration of the tact that . Tilden ond Mr. Hendricks have been el d, and we urge them to resist with all their power the pro. posal to settle the ascertainment of a fact already ace complished by a reference of it to any other tribunal than that alreagy appointed to decide it—by the con- spitution of tho United States. INDIANA. GOVERNOR "‘BLUE JEANS” WILLIAMS ON THE PRESIDENTIAL PROBLEM—HE BELIEVES TIL- DEN WILL GO IN PEACEFULLY—DOUBTS OF A DEMOCRATIC LEADER. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ] Ixpraxavouis, Dec, 22, 1876. Governor ‘Blue Jeans’’ Williams {s in the oity in consultation with Governor Hendricks as to their messages to the Legislature, which mé in January. Governor Williams is in good spirits and wears the famous blue jeans suit. I have had a long and agree- able talk with him on the Presidential complication, He is hopeful. He thinks that the Congressional com- mittees now in the South, will be compelled, by the preponderance of tho testimony and the record of facts, to make such a report to the country that the Hayes managers will back down and accord the people of Louisiana and Florida their rights. He says the outroge of the returning boards im those States is apparent to the country, but obscured by the mis- aicments and misleading allegations of the republi- can managers, and that the investigation naw going on will uncover the frauds and expose them to public condemnation. “Then you think, Governor, that Tilden will be in- augurated Prosident?” 1 askod, ‘Ob, yes,’’ he re- sponded, ‘‘and, unless tho republican managers aro already frenzied and utterly reckless, I think Tilden will go in peacefully. Referring to the possrbilitn in case of a double inauguration, he said, ‘10 that ca: Tilden could take tho oath of office belore a justice of tho peace in New York or elsewhere. The constitution docs pot mako it mandatory that the President shail bo sworn in before a Supreme Court Judge, or at ington, I believe that Jeilerson was ro in bya justice of the peace in Virginia, ”? “Then,” suggested the Henan correspondent, “what would be the provabilities?’’ “WW meditatively responded Governor Williams, “it is hard to prophecy. Undoubiediy, if General Sherman could be used as tac ‘tool of the republican leaders, the army would ve called on to sustain Hayes, and, roca og hed crush what thoy would declare to be usurpasion by Tildon.”” “And would not that aggression by the Grant-Hayes party initiate civil war?’’ 1 imqurred. ‘*Yoa, 1 pig seem to be the inevitable consequence,” bh sai CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY. Continuing, Gov thet juncture the di demonstrate itself. mocratic army officers and soldiers, recognizing the election of Tilden, would naturally reiuse to obcy Hayes or those ork for him, It would be imporsibie to proceed far without clashing, and the complication would of necessity be determined by one of three modes—force, the courts, or by one contestant yielding.”’ THE ORKGON VOTE. Gon ing the Oregon electoral puzzle Governor Williams i—*I don’t want the democratic claim to depend of that technicality for Tilden’s success. We are entitled to Louisiana and Florida, and | hope to seo OUF candidates get the electoral votes which we have fairly won at the poll.” NO THOUGHT OF WAR. . Governor Williams seems hopeful of a peaceable so- Intion of the complications and of Tildei suc ntitied to it, He does not apprehen ir, and says tne democracy of Indiana ate not talk- ing War nor thinking of it, A DESPONDENT DRMOCRAT. Just as I was inking my leave of Governor Williams Colonel Jonn 5. Williams, of Lafayette, lod, called on the Governor. Colonel Williams is a democrat, a banker, was in the Union army. 1@ a politician and orajor, and by bis energy in the Democratic State Con vention last spring nominated Blue Jeans for Gov- wr. He is uot at all sanguine that Tilden will in. He thinks Tilden fairly elected, but that the Hayes mon are determined by every means, fair or unfair, peacetul or bioody, to swindle Tilden out of it and repel his accesmon to the Presi- dency. “They have the army and navy and the heaa of the army aud the mach: "y of the goveroment, and ob une pretext or another they propose to inaugurate d install Hayes in the P " said Colonel iiiams, “If Tilden gets it be o fight for it and have to fight to hold be added; “and, as I toli some of my old democratic friends yesteraay, I don’t have any desire for apother civil war. IL went through one and that satisfied me, Moreover, our gov- ernment, as now imanaged, is a fraud, and I don’t feel like fighting fora government which has become so corrupt.” Colonel Williams is not hopeful of the future of the country. He thinks the general tenor of the demo- cratic county conventions, to be held all over Indiana on Saturday, will be conciliatory, and that the suc- cessful democracy will have to yield to brute force next Maret and give up what they tairly won iu this centennial contest. GRANT RESPONSIBLE, Discussing the causes of the uncertain and danger- ous condition of the country, Colonel Williams re- marked :—‘‘I regard Grant as the author of itall He bas for eight years run the government as his personal machine; and military satrapry in the brother-in-law C. into the bud product we now Florida.” Colonel Wilhams thinks the gossip about the Indiana democracy organizing tor war is preposterous bosh, Evidently, the voice of Colone) Williams is not for war, NO FRAUDS. OFFICIALS OF BOTH PARTIES DECLARE THE ELECTION TO HAVE BEEN AN HONEST ONE— INFORMATION ABOUT NATURALIZATION SPECI- ALLY GIVEN TO MR, WELLS. The committee of Congress appointed to investigate into alleged trauds in the recent election in this city, Brooklyn, Jersey City and Philadelphia held tts fourth session yesterday at the St. Nicholas Hote Nathaniel Jarv’ ., Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, tes- tifled thut fewer persons were naturalized Court within the past year than for several years pro viously, and that a federal officer was constantly present to guard against fraud. William B, Rankin, lawyer, of Jersey Cuy, knew of no possible frauds in the late election, unless they were known to re- publicans, they holdivg all tho election machinery. Matthew Cooper, who edits a paper called the Senti- nel at East New York, thought the excessive vote cast in that town was owing to the importation of voters from Brooklyn; had charged fraud im nis paper, but did it upon knowledge obtained trom a re- porter and from a Supervisor of Elections, William Muirhead, Chiet Supervisor of Elections in Jersey City ; did not think that there ever had beena fairer elec. tion mm that community than the last, Patrick Erwin, of Jersoy City, saw some boatmen vote in the First ward; they had no permauent residence, but lived in Yhoir boats. Goorge H. Farrier, who has lived in the same city for forty years, was present at the polls on election day; saw anamber of persons around the polls who were strangers to him; knew of no illegal voting of his own knowledge. James A. Donaldson, of No. 364 Myrtle avenue, Brooklyn, knew there had been colonization of voters in that city previous to tho last election, with the purpose of carrying Alaer- manio tickets; both partios co!onized. Charles Mf. Wood, a Jersey City letter carricr, knew nothing about decoy letters. RECESS. The committee here toox a recess for an hour, at the expiration of which time Corporation Counsel W, GC. Whitney was called and sworn. There may have been some fraudulent paturalization papers issued, bo thought, but in proportion to the number of voters wo had honester elections in New York than in any other partot the éountry. In reply to a question whether be thought the system of espionage intro- duced by Mr. J. 1. Davenport bad not the effect to produced fair balloting, Mr. Whitney said be bad observed, as one effect of the svstem, that it kept a good many men away from tho polls who were en- Ubtled to vote; Mr. Davenport published, botore elec- tion day, lists of persons who are said to be registered iegally; mauy mistakes occurred in these lists, and witness knew persous legally entitled to voto who, seeing their names on these lists, preferred losing their votes to incurring tho risk of arrest and other troubles which might ensue if they should attempt to deposit their ballots. LITTLE JOUNNY’S THSTINONY. Jobn L, Davenport, of No, 543 East Twenty-seventh Street, was called. He testified that he is Chief su- pervisor of Elections in the Southern district of the State of New York, United States Commissioner and Clerk of the United States Circuit Court. He testitied that in accordance with the instructions of the United States Circuit Court issued in 1872 ho had last fall ap- pointed supervisors of registration and cloction, se- jecting them fromm lists furnished bim by the repabii- can, the Tammany and the unti-Tammany organiza- tions; af the close of cach day of registration the books of democratic and republican inspectors wero brought to Mr, Davenport, who compared them. Witness explained in ‘detail the manner in whieh the inspectors’ books are kept, and ieft one of them to be inserted in the report of the committee, The registry books were compared with those of pre- Yious years, and the names of all except people who had not moved since the previous election and of thoso who were known to witness to be lecal voters were on- tered upon another book ; about 90,000 names were set aside Jast {all outot a registry of 183,000 as not Needing investigation ; it was found that names wero registered which bad not appeared upon the books be fore since 1872, A NOMADIC PROVLE The proportion of population who do not move from oneciection district to another is only about fifty-five per cent; after tne second day of registration lists of the doubifal names were placed in the hands of men who went from houso to house to verify them; then copies of the lists were p.aced in the hands of a ‘second set of men, who knew nothing of the results of the first examination, and they, too, wont from houso to house and reported those whom they could pot fing, and those who, for any reason, they did not believe to be legally entitied to vote; the reports of there two sets of men were compared; in most dis- tricts a third examination was made, and where the result of all three agreed 1t was thought to be correct; witnees had, however, gone still further; letters were addressed to suspected purties; they were sealed and stamped and sent through the mails in tl way; wherover a party cannot be found the are obliged to return upcen the back of the enveiope a statement that the party cannot be tound, or is dead or removed, as the case may be; letters passed through to the Dead Letter Oifice, and in their passage witness made a transeript of their indorsements; where this testimony agreed with that of the house visitors, warrants were issued and placed in the hands of officers at the polls, so that the men could be prevented from voting; there were about 1,500 warrants issued; a disposition to register illegally wan discovered, but it was confined to certain localities and arose entirely from local causes; out of the 1,500 war- rants issued only 300 eats were made, t! not coming tu vote at had given wrong numbers, or their numbers had beon mistaken by the clorks in copying tho registry lists— principally the latter, A PAIR BALLOT, Mr. Davenport declared from 113 knowledge of tho opulation of the city and tho registration that the ine election was a8 fair a one as ever had been held in New York. He could, be said, demonstrate it beyond all possible doubt by the figures, and gave statistics from 1835 up to date, showing that in this city during Vhe thirty years from 1836 to 1865 the annual increase in the voting population had been 442 per cent. This ratio carried out would give the present voting population as 194,945 and Mr. Davenport was as certain there are that number as he was of his own existence, The actual vote cast on last olection day was 179,831. Then taking the ratio of votes cast to population, he showed that in 1840 it was 82 per cent, aud inthe present year it was 87.75 per cont, being 25 per cent less than in 1564 To account for the heavier ratio of votes cast to the 8 1 oneal ¢ present year as compared with 1864 Mr. Davenport states that 10,000 persons from the South who had settied in the city since that time, and most of them being young men without families, they added to the ratio of votes without so materially Increasing the ulation. Mr. Davenport testified in conclusion that Nofnad worked in co-operation with the municipal authorities in securing a fair election and that but for their aid he could not have so eficiently carried out his ans. bi G. W. Knebel,Clerk of the City Court of Brooklyn, was called by Mr. Wells to testily about naturalization im that Court, There had been about forty rs issued, he said, and they were ail legal +o far as he knew. B. I, Bonedict, Clerk of the United States District Court, was called by Mr. Woils for the same purpose, “Can you tell me tho precise number of persons naturalized in your Court, sir, irom tho Ist of July until November 7?” he asked, “I think I can,’ “How many “One, sir.” (Smiles and adjournment.) POLO AND TROTTING. THE GASLIGHT SPORTS AT GILMORE'S GARDEN— INTERESTING AND EXCITING EVENTS. The California and Boston Polo clubs played ten Innings last evening at Gilmore’s Garaen toa large number of spectators. Seven goals were credited to the former and threo to tho latter, Captain Mowry knocked the ball through the Bostons’ fortress in 2m. 103., giving the blues the first point; Ryan, of the rods, or Bostons, the second in 2 minutes; Morgan, of the blues, the third in 8 minutes; Ryan the fourth in 60s., a brilliont play; Morgan the fifth, in 8m. 10s, ; Mowry the sixth, in 458,; Ryan, of the Bostons, the seventh, in 388., two long hits doing the work ; Morgan, of the blues, the eighth, in 50s. ; Mowry the ninth, in 1m,, and thasame player the tenth, in dm. 10a THE 2:38 PURSE. The trotting event of the eveaing was a purse of $100, for horse: +38, milo heats, three tn five, under the saddle. Six horses startod, nnd the race proved ost exciting of the season, The rec- ord of the #eason was cut down several seconds, the deciding beat being marked 2:40 in that | NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23. 1876. A MERCHANT'S. MYSTERY. Hunting Up a Life Story by the Light of a Quarter Million. ROMANCE OF A COLORED RICH MAN, —— + The Son of a Runaway Slave Becomes a New York Society Pet. bn Something over two years ago Jobn D. Lewis, then & prominent merchant of this city, was thrown {rom his carriage while ariving in Central Park and in- stautly killed, The suddenness of his tuking off, bis large wealth and high business connections and his long and persistent reticence as to his carly life, throw around his career an air of romance and mystery of unusual character, Exceptingto one or two of his intimate friends his Ife, in fact, was a profound puzzle, His swarthy complexion, long, straight black hair, piercing black eyes, the taste displayed in his dress, combined with a prepossessing face and unusual suavity of manner, induced nearly all who came in contact with him to suppose bim of aristooratic Castilian descent. Few supposed that that bronzed complexion was of negro origin. Ho left an estate valued at some $250,000—a fact which, coupled with the peculiar will found among his effects, induced a careful scrutiny into his antecedent history. In his large business transactions ho was compelled of necessity to appear in suits in the courts; but no lawyer, however keon his Strategy in cross-examination, could ever elicit from him any details of his birth or ancestry, Ho always persisted 1a such examinations that he had no rela- tives living, On his death becoming known persons | craiming to bo allied to him by blood, as 18 gonerally | the case where the disposition of a large estate is in- volved, presented themselves as claimants to hia prop- erty. A primal necessity was to set aside his will, and for this purpose the case has been brought into the courts und was yesterday the subject of judicial in. quiry before Judge Barrett, holding Special Term of the Supreme Court, A ROMANCE OF TOIL, Tne proceedings iu court have finally lifted the veil of mystery through which this strangely eccentric man so seduously sought in his lifetime to keep bid from the public the incidents of his early career. About forty. years ago he was a porter in the retail store of Poillion & Co., in Catharino street. Bright, active and diligent, he was soon promoted to a clerk- ship, His ambition, however, did not stop here. Seeking a higher sphere of duty and one with more brilliant prospeets he became salesman in the whole- sale house of E. & W. Cock & Co., a position he filled subsequently in other large mercantile houses of this city, Still unsatistied, he conciuded to go into business for himself, taking as partners two of his fellow clorks and Jobn G. Havila end Willham H, Lindsley, the firm being known as Lewis, Haviland & Co. This proved a suecesstul venture, and from this partnership he amassed a large fertune, Afier a time this firm was dissoived and a new tirm wus formed of Jobu D, Lewis & Co. His business prospered. and from his accumulated gains ke speculated largely in real estave, thereby increasing bis already rapidly growing wealth, He never married, but kept up an expensivo bachelor establishment, He frequented Delmonico’s and other expensive piaces of resurt, where he evinced an ambition to excel ail others in lavish expenditure of mone; As alreaay stated he was never nh but his social history was emphasized by { broach of promise suits, His wealth, in fact, gavo him the entree imto good soctety, and many managing mothers strove earnestly to lead captive bis heart in the interest of their marriageable daughters, He was obdurate, however, and to the seeming of the outer world continued bis gay bachelor life up to the date of tho casualty that terminated his ourthly career, A RELIC OF SLAVERY TIMES. But the above does not reveal the whole story. of this strange man’s life. Ho was bome sixicen years of ago when he came to this city. Until long years attor he communicated to no one the place whence he came or the seorets of his birth or parentage. The rigid in- quisition In the courts at length delved this mystery. ‘The fact has been discovered that he was born in Stin- coo, Canada, His mothor was originally a slave in Vir- xinia, but escaped from slavery into Canada, taking the underground railroad, ond with her her two chil- dren, Henry Lewis and Mary Lewis, Both mother and Children possessed the unmistakable ebony hues ot Ethiopian descent, Shortly alter their arrival ip Canada the mother became the mistress of a wealthy Cauadian, and the frait of this union was John D, Lewis. He kept this fact carciully hid, and, doubtless, hoped to bury it with him tn the seeret-kecping grave. THE WILL, Having a distrust of lawyers, he wrote his own will. The following is a copy of ine will, with the attesting clause :— and direct my ju demise jenth the following person rancis Witder, $15,000; Elisabeth Odell, $3.00 Luke, $3,000; Lewis Cock, $3,000; Mury M. Clarke, 105 Daniel T. Walden, oue of iny executors hereinafter named, $1,000, All the rest and resiaue and remainder of my estate T direct to be invested by my executors, and the interest and be paid by them to Lizzie Harton Taylor, fully married, and shonid she have children the interest I direct to be paid in a pro Ly I make, constitute and. appoint nets Wilder executors of this. my nt. ire my executors to purchase my death) «plot in Greenword for tho tof my remains, and to erect thereon a suitable monument at # reasonable expense. I direct ny said exec- to seo that my rexidunry devisee, Linzle bartun ‘Tay lor, ts kept at school until she arrives at fuil axe. In the it of Lizzie Barton Taylor dying before she 4 i desire hor interred in my plot then desire tho rest, resicue and remainder of my stave plot where we aro burie power my executors to welt my renl estate for the purpor paving lecacios, or otherwise executing the provisions of my will. id other wills, and seal this 28th Thereby revoke all ve set my ha: JOUN D. LEWIS. (1, 8.) In witness whereof. day of July, A. D. 18% Hexny ¥. Sex. Wanpett J. SEE. The above naried John D. Lewis, in our presence and in the presence of each of us, and he at the same time declared the same to be hi i tostament, and we, at bis request and in bi aud in the presence of each Other, having signod our names ys witnesses thereto, HENRY P. 1 WANDELL J. SEE. t Abingdon square. FINDING 1118 RELATIVES, The above will was duly admitted to probate and let- ters testamentary issued to the executors named. Francis Wilder, named as the principul jegatec, was jormerly porter in Lewis’ employ. The property he leit comprisus some forty lots in various parts of t city, mainly in Greenwich and Hudson strects and in the upper part of tho island, Quitea number of the Jois aro on the east side of the city, and op are ereeted buildings tor private residences, houses or manulacturing pur; 8, and the whole netting a handsome income. ny eminent lawyers, on the facts of the cage being presented to them, gavo |. their opinion that, in case a@ relative of the deceased merchant could be found to attack it in court the will would be found worthless, A lawyer remembering that on one occasion, on being closely pressed ata cross-examination in court, Lewis had stated that he came from Canada, near Toronto, caused a ‘Personal’ to be inferted in one of the Toronto papers, inqui ing for the next of kin of John D. Lewis of New York. This happening to reach the eye of Jobn Finlay, an old man living in Simeve, Canada, ho recalled the fact that a young man named Lewis went from Simcoe to New York and became very rich, The insertion of this ‘persona.’ ied to the discovery of Henry and Mary Lewis, a half brother abd sister of the deceased merchant, and the development of the other facts connect with his birth and parentage, as aircady given. orm AN ARRAY OF COUNSKL, On tho case coming up yesterday before Judge Bar- Fett, the object being to obtain a judicial construction of the will, there appeared a formal retinue of counsel, Messrs. David Tisdale, Qucen’s counsel, of Canada; ex- Judge A. J. Dittenboefer, C. A. Runkle aod J. Albers Englehart appearing for the plaioufl; L. P. Nash and Mr, Hewlett — for the detendant, Lizzie Bar. ton Taylor; Messrs. Dunning, Kdsall ; W. J. Sterhin; the executors, and ex-Judge Jones and Bashoell & A’ bright for William and George Powers and others, THE COURT PROCKEDING Most of the day was occupied in ding depositions, including that of Dun McPbersou, Canada, who Slated that several years ago Lewis came to Simcoe, Canada, to put up @ tombstone over the grave of bis mother, He identified the photograph of the deceased, which was exhibited to him in Court, as that of the man who came to Cagada. His testimony was corrob- oraiced by other witnesses, There was also put in testimony evidence from the Post Office Depart. by showing that the deceased had @ box at the Post Theophi Hunt, of Michigan, testified that he knew Lewis in Canada, and also in this cit, Tho various counsel toflowed with addresses to the Court, those for the plaintiff contending thas the will and devises, particularly that as to the grave decora- tion, are uncertain, indefinite, vague and ambiguous, and the opposing counsel insisting that a cicar case had not been made out substantiating the claims of the laintif as next of kin, and that the bequests wero 1 bould ve sustained, Lizzie Barton Taylor, principal legateo under the will is said, to be on illegitimate daughter of the deceased, but to have Deen most carefully and expensively educated, The counsel were permitted to hand in their briefs at an early day, after which Judge Barrett promised a speedy decision. A WESTCHESTER WILL CASE. Joseph Taylor, @ well-to-do resident of Fast Ches- ter, Westchester county, died in November, 1875, Ho left a will bequeathing his entire estate, both real and personal, to his wife, Honora Taylor, to be used by hor during her lifetime as she thought proper for her own Support and for the maintouance and education of her five childron, The will alse provided that at her death the two fons of the terbator by a former marriage were to receive the sum ot $2,000 each, all the ‘remainder of the estate, which is estimated at about $70, to be divided equally among the five children aliade 10. Under the terms of the will the widow was mado exeeutrix, with J. Pf. Cole and J. C, Carroll, executors. ‘This testamentary document was admiited to probate in the Westchester County Surrogate Court on Decem- ber 10, 1875; and now the two sons by the first m: riage of the testator have applied, through counsel, to Surrogate Coffin to reopen the case, with the opject of setting the will aside, on the ground that if exes cuted at all by the sed it was done through fraud apd undue tiluenc The hearing of arzu- mentio the matier bas been set down for an eariy day. THE BERIH SHOOTING, A STORY THAT LOOKS BAD FOR THE ‘‘ACCl DENTAL” SHOOTER AND HIS BROTHER FROM THE WEST, On Thursday Judge Davis, sitting in the Supremo Court, granted William F, Howe’s application for write of habeas corpus and certiorari to release from prison Charles Berth, who was charged with shooting bis wile Catharine on the 15th inst, The writs were returnable yesterday morning, and it was generally understood that the prisoner, whose plea of ac- cidental shooting was sustained by bis wite’s statement to the Coroner, would be released from durance, It was with a fear of such a result in his mind, and an {dea, too, that justice was going to bo cheated by law, that John Ruf, a blunt, bonest looking German, presented himself at the Coroners’ office yes terday and protested against the prisoner's release, Roff ts tho brother of Mrs, Berth, and he came direct irom his sister's sick bed, where sbe lay, not, as was generally supposed, in a state of convalescence, but in acondition of extreme danger, gud hablo at moment to breathe ber last. He had come trom F Morris, whero he resides, to hear from the wounded Woman’s lips an account of the sad mischance, A HROTHRR'S PROTEST, He was somewhat excited when lhe reached the Cor. oners’ office, and when he imquired about the efforts made to liberate Berth he eried: It is intamous to lot that man go free, is dying, and it wos he that sponsible for her death, and the walks away without panishment and without trial, They may Say in court that sue Is getting better, tat sho 18 alinost well, and such things ns that, but woman tay dle at any moment, That man should not go {reo till sho is beyond danger.”? Ho was intormed that the case had gone before tho Supreme Court, and that it was there to be decided whether Borth dental shooting and the claim that his wite ering were admissible or not. Atthis Ku became indignant and blurted out that the shooting was no accident, It was intended, and he had tt from his sister’s own lips, Finding that the Coroner bad no power to act ym the matter he lett the office, and subsequently, in a conversation with a Heraip reporter, made the jcllowing disclosure :— ‘THK SKCOND STATEMENT. Charles Berth has for yoars been a dependent upon his wife. She conducts a couple of boarding houses and isa hard working Woman. Time andagain he has quarrelied with her and threatened to take her life, and soveral times during this year tho determination he expressed to shoot her has. kept her tn censtant dread. Once during the sumnrer ho assaulted ber, and she has since complained to her brother of tho unhappiness ho has caused her. While he was at her sick bed sbe toi him that fear of bringing shame upon the family and of giving putiicity to his infamy had induced her to conceal the truth from the Coroner when she mado her statement to him. In reality she believed that her husband meant to shoot her. His brother Hugo had arrived from the West und both men were sitting in a room together when she entered it, Charles had a pistolin his hand, and as she opened the door Hugo Bild to Thero she 18 nuw; shoot’? Ab the same tcoment her busband turned toward her, the weapon in his hand, A sudden terror seized her at this, she kaew not why, and covering her face with Ler apron, she drew back tothe door, Then the pistol was discbargedand she staggered back shot through the head, My sistor He is re- MRS. BERTH'S CONDITION Dr. Kromer, o1 2 Second avenue, her attonding physician, stated last night that she rallied a lito after the shooting and seemed to bo doing woll, but « Thursday morning crysipelias set in, she became fevor- ish and gradually kept sinking. At presenthe thinks her condition dangerous in the extreme, and judges her recovery very doubtful, THE GOLD OLEARING HOUSE. PROPOSITIONS SUBMITTED YESTERDAY BY Sr:V- ERAL BANKS—WHAT THE CL¥ARING BUSI- NESS I8 WORTH. A committee was appointed yestercay by the New York Gold Exchange to wait on the President of tho Gold Exchange Bank and request that institution to clear as usval unul the Executive Committee, wich meets to-day, periccts arrangements to transter the account to some other bank. The resident complied with the request of the committee, Four banks sent in written applications yesterday te do the clearings of the Gold Exchange:—The Bank o} the State, Metropolitan, Bank of Now York, and the Continental, The Bunk of the State offered to do the clearings at the same rate as the Gold Exchange Bank, viz. :—$1 per $100,000, and they alsu offered that when the gross recolpts exceeded $60,000 per annum they would divide the surplus with tho Gold Exchange, The expenses were estiinated at $25,000, and the clear- ing department was to be entirely separate from the other business of toe bank; the whole to be under t charge of RK. L. Edwards. The Continental Bank n no delinite proposition; but anything above expe and a reasonable rent would be aceepted. The Bank of New York proposed to put the Gold Clearing House on the fourth floor of its building—which caused a general laugh—and to divide with the Gold Room all profits over $50,000 per annum. The Metro. pohtan would divide with the Exchange all over @ net profit of $40,000, Tho Executive Commins of the Gold Exchange did not hesitate say that they regarded the proposition of the bank of the State the most advantageous, and they recom- mended the amendment of the jourth rule accord- ingly. Tho bank was regarded by the committee ag worthy of confidence. 1t had pital of $800,000 and an undivided surplus on the 18th inst. of $200,000, besides a conditional surplus of $100,000. It was openly charged by tho Gold Room committee that the agreement of the Gold Exchange Bank had been violated in spirit if notin fact, which Mr, Beng. dict, the President, who was in the meeting, denied, Ho not deny that the bank was poor; its earnings for 1876 not having reached per cent on Its capital. He also admitted tho romark that the last Board of Director would probably act asthe ‘pall boarers at the funoral of the bank.”” In Mr, Benedict’s remarks the fact was brought out that the Gold Koom owned but 800 shares of the Gold Bank stock. Appearances indicate that the Gold Koom committee favor the selection of the Bank of the Stato at once, but in obedienee to the amendment (o their report, made by the room, they are im duty bound to consider the proposition of the Metropolitan and decide betweer tho latter and the State. At the present average of clearings thore is @ profit to whichever bank gots them of about $35,000 per an- bum. a! THE FAST MAIL FARCE, The fast mail servico still proves a fallacy. It ie evident that this 4:35 A. M. train is run altogether in the interest of tho express company, in order to obtain largor compensation than the government allows, and which also compels the great New York journals to send by this conveyance at six times more expense than the United States mail Mr, Jameson, assistant superintendent of tho Railway Mail Service, tele. graphed Mr. Vail to Washington yesterday that “the Adams cxpress car was run out of the depot on the 4:35 train on Th ly morning, while the postal care were held wotil th: rival of the Boston train, which was one hour and thirty minutes late, * in consequence the New York mails, which otherwise would have ar. i * Washington at 1:05, did not reach there until six P.M. Captain Joseph Belger, chiet clork of the Railway Mail Service in this city, received @ despatch last evoning from J. Q Elder, head clerk of the New York and Washington Post Uffico from Gray's ‘erry, informing bim that the Railway Post Ofice car which left Jersey City at 5:35 1m the morning did not arrive at Gray’s Ferry until 9:10 and bad to lay over there until 12:26, which will bring this mail to Wash. ington after six o'clock, Captain ba with a forco of men, went to Jersey City yesterday morning and demanded of the train despatcher that the postal car which he found switched off on the Boston track should be forwarded with the train starting at 4:35. This oficial declined to grant this request, say: bat the Superintendent bad issued special orders to hold the 1 car until the arrival of the Boston train, The car of the Adams nod on to the tri ight up to the moment of starting, and was whirled out of the de at 4:35, while the mail was left to follow by the 8:45 trair—ihe Boston mail bemg tate again, as usual, This tingrant deflance of the Post Office authori by arailway company should bring Postmaster Gen Tynerto bis mettie, who enperen ee, re a toward straightening this mi It OMice circles that the jonal iitee on Postaba fairs of the 5 ge] tives will take up thi: ya, aud closely investigate the conduct of those obstruct. ing & fast mail service, . OPPOSING A HEAVY TAX. A large number of property owners residing on Reid avenue, Brooklyn, appeared before the Acsessment Committee of the Common Couneil, Jost evening, and — entered their protest against the $51,595 for the grading and paving of Reid avenue. cipal protestant was Mr. T. C. Clane, who against the assessment in bitter terms, BUSINESS TROUBLES, In the County Clerk’s office yesterday there were filed the follows! Aments:—James Worley and Trenk ie Bellas and Georgo Henry Van Nua