The New York Herald Newspaper, January 21, 1877, Page 6

Flayes tney would, regardiess of wonor, of mght or of the public will, manage to give him the voles of those Staves He criticised the action of Secretary Chandier | aud of the President in the matter, and suid that the mew whom the President invited to go to those States | =z the steadiest of partisans; not so with those who | went there at t request of the chairman of the | Democratic | Committee, At this point of the speech Mr. Tarbox's time expired and he got leave to print the rest of it, Mr, CurrrENveEn, (rep.}, of N. Y., then touk the floor | gal clement | and expressed his conviction that if the ip the House (201 out of 298 members being lawyers) were allowed the discussion of the Presidential ques- tion it would Jast tor the rest of the century. But the People did not enjoy these eternal discussions. The country had been scourged by war and debt, had been funk into the deepest pit of commercial and political | demoralization, and the people were crying out for wise counseis and for patriotic Matesmanship to lift the ation to @ lite, The people thanked God for the report of the concurrent commitice, and would conform to it-with @ | Qnanimity scarcely matched since the election of | Wasbington in 1759. The people were not to be mis- ied by such nonsense as bis colleague (Mr. Willis) bi indulged in to-day. They had bad bull-dozing enough, und they proposed to act, and immediately, in accord: ance wilh eternal justice. He rejoiced to believe ti the people were on the edge ofa new revelation, that bhe daybreak of better times bad come, and that the in- lelhgence und patriotism of the people would rule the bour and that every member who dured to speak and ect a8 a partisaz would be put down ana cast awa: The election corruption was no new thing. 1t bas prevailed as much in the choice of » Roman Consul as it did tn New Orleans. His colieague (Mr. Willis) knew per- fectly wel) that there uever bad been more corrupt ejections than had been submitted to in the State andcity of New Yorx. He believed that the last el tion in at least three Southern States had been an al solute farce. He believed the cheating on both sides bad been so absolutely universal that it was impo: dle to determine where the real truth lay. iherefor luige in threats under such circumstances. The time allowed jor general droceeded with. Without disposing of the bil! the committee rose, wd the House, ai ive minutes to five. adjourned, THE CAUCUSES. SEPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARRIVED aT. Wasaixcros, Jan, 20, 1877, The republican members of the Senate held u caucus | this morning in regard to the joint committee’s bil! | electoral votes, the opportunity for the subject and to for counting the purpose being to afford an e interchange of views on bear such efpianations regarding the measure as the | republican Senatorial members oi the commitice might desire to presepl, It was distinctly uuderstood, Low- ever, that tue bill is not to be made a subject of formal caucus action or dictation, There were very lew tpeakers, and nothing in the proceedings indicative of the degree of approval or opposition the measure may yet meet with. The democratic Senators held a similar caucus, ut | mhich notuing was said in opposition to the joint com- | tte bill. SENATUR MOKTON INDORSED, Senator Morton this morning received the following Aospatch from Indtauapolis, 1nd. Iypianarvotis, Lod., Jan. 19, 1877. Hon, Otiver P. Mortox:— ‘AL a caucus of the republican members of the Legis- lature to-night your course in withbolding your con- sent from the compromise plau was unanimously ap- proved, [he opposition to it was decided and earnest, Speaker Overmeyer presiaed. EK. W. HALFORD, Secretary, PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE, MESSAGES AND CHECKS FROM SECRETARY CHANDLER TO PACKARD AND TO NORTH CAR- OLINA--TESTIMONY OF WELLS AND ANDER- SON, OF THE LOUISIANA RETUENING BOARD. Wasuixorox, Jan. 20, 18: The Committee on the Powers, Privileges and Duties of the House iu Counting the Electoral Voie had be- fore them to-day Oswin D. Roberts, who testified that he is cashier of the Second National Bank of New York. He exbibited two certificates of deposit in the bank by Z. Chandler, dated October 21, 1876; one was for $3,000 and the other for $2,000; they were made payable on his own order on the return of the ceruti- cates; the indorscment read, “Pay S. 8, Packard or order. Z Chandler. Pay James 5. Ayr S. B. Packard. Pay Winslow, Lanier & Co, James E. Ayr.” | ‘The witness, in reply to a question by Mr. Lawrence, said be could not state how the fact of these deposits was mage public. He did not know whether any transactions of money were made through bis bank by leading democrats for political purposes. In reply to Mr. Field the witness said besides the pertificates of deposit above referred to there was an account of Z. Chandler, as chairman of the National Republican Committee. An account was also kept in *Sat bauk by Governor McCormick. INTERESTING LETTERS, G. W. Partriage, the private secretary of Z. Chandler, was askea by Mr, Field whether be hud in bis posses sion or under bis control any letters or telegrams written or sent by Z, Cuandier to any person iu Flor- da, South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana and Dregon, or any letters or tolegrams received by him from persons in those States, The witness in reply produced copies of letters which were privately examined by the committee, when two of the letters were read and put in evidence. ely by J. B. Stockton, | They were written respe dated New Orleans, November 11, to the effect that if sieps were taken immediately the affidavits of 10,000 | or 12,000 republican voters could be obtained showing that they were deprived of the exercise of the ballot by Violence and intimidation, The writer was the thief deputy of Marshal Pitkin. He says:—“If you sould senda trusty person here with funds, or au- \horize some oue to draw for such sumsas may be | Deeded to Lave the proper testimony teken througn- Dut the ‘bull-dozing’ parishes, such testimony could be piled up Ol Irauds und outrages so dainnabie as to preclude the possibility of any Preaident taking his beat who Was clected by Such frauds.” Tbe other letter was dated Greensboro, November 29, and was irom I. B. Keogh, in which be says, ad- dressing Z Chandler, that he tas done what he could toward getting up evidence of illegal voting in North Carolina, and that a fair count would show the election | blican Ucket. He wus so crippied in means | id not afford to furnish the means of estab. | Ushing {rauus, Several other levers on the political situation were read, among them the following :— Wasuincroy, D. C., Dee, 22, 1876, Thomamyvilie, N. C= the Lith has been ree: bation to Noi aily believe i Jouy T. Caasm Dean Sin You! rr line and ov! Ir irusted with such great aud responsi to the Chief Kxecative of this uation, Os ws are Kivi ‘epis he situation the better for the country. Very truly pt . % CHANDLER, Chairman, The witness stated, in answer to questions, taatthe telegrams sent from and received by 7% Chandler trom time to time were destroyed. Was anything ju them about furnishing money or troops. : HOLD THE STATE, Thomas C, Joynder, « tele, operator at Frank- lin, N. C. testified that he did not take copies of tele. grams passing through lis otfice; he remembered hearing messages going through, but could pot tell their exact puraseoiogy. | | woner such turbulent Hilden democracy gets down and | | He did notthink there | and practical } better | it was, | worse thao boy’s play for any one to in- | discussion having ; Nosed the consideration of the bill by paragraphs was | MEET TO TALK | OVER THE KBLECTORAL BILL—NO DECISION some pri- | NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1877—QUADRUPLE SHEET. mittee wished to Know what was im them, The Hous had been trymg for the last tmoath to obtain th papers, they were pot kere, and, therefore, i was pertectly competent to ask what were in these papers. Members of the committee present overruled Mr. Lawrence's objection, Yeas—Messrs. Lawrence and ela Nays—Messrs, Field, Mash, fucker and noll—4. | Mr, Field asked the witness to state whether the | Fecora he refused to produce showed tbe whole put- ber of votes cast in Louisiaza, and the witness replied he could not state, as he bad not charged bis memory with it @ Can you state the number within atbousand? A. I have uo recollection. The witness having spoken of intimidation to pre- vent republicans trom voting ag a reason for throwing out votes, be was asked by Mr, Field whether he kne of a single voter having been prevented from voting by tntumidation, mind. Q Do you know of a single man who voted contrary to nis wishes because of intimidation? A. | canuot recall one, Q Do you or not know whether the abstraction of yotes nade by the Returning Board changed the result of the election® A. { cannot without tae figures cor- rectly auswer 'he question. Mr, Field remarked, the witness refusing to answer the categorical question, he would move to mal the fact known to the House, Mr, Field—Did you eliminate or al tota! vote as many as 10,000 voies? know, ‘ Q. Did you abstract 100 or 1,000 votes? A. Ido not now. Q You spoke of intimidation and murder, ract from the A. Ido not ¢ any pervisors of Election? a. No. @ Don’t you know tua affidavits about intimidation and murder were prepared at the New Orleans Custom | House’ A, 1 do not know, Mr. Tucker, atnong other questions, asked whether | the witness tneant to say that he never made any cal- culation o the result in throwing out votes, Tne witness auswored (bat the statement was made up by j the clerk of the Board) The witness said that he and the other members of the Board had been in office since the 24th of December, 1874, GENEKAL ANDERSON’S TESTIMONT, General Anderson, a member of the Returning | Boura, testified that there was no objection to Dr, Ken- | neay becoming a member of the Returning Board | because he was not @ gentleman, but because the membere did not approve of bis appointment. The witness was in favor of filling the vacapey, and spoke to several persons about taking the place. The witness was interrogated about the nurover of | votes cast in Louisiana, and said the parish of not received. He could pot recollect how many pre- cipets were rejected, but said that two-thirds of the } ness stid a great many affidavits chargipg intimiaation and fraud were sworn to in New Orleans, but be thought the majority of affidavits were sworn to out- side of that city, After further interrogation wit- ness Was asked :— Do you mean to say that in every instance where a yote was rejected the return, when you obtained pos- session of it, contained either a statement of the Supervisors of Election that there had been intimid tions, or an affidavit to that effect? Answer. Yei where there had been intimidation or traud or some legal practices, e these statements and affidavits witness believed were in the office of the Secretary of State uf Loui- giana, He thought that the Kellogg eleciors received 6,000 and the McEnery electors received 71,000 votes, ¢ Returning Bourd flied the result of the canvass on the oth of December, but kept the papers until the Sth of January, the Board having in the meantime to canvass the vote for State officers aud members of Congress. The committee, after acontinuous session of four | nours, adjourned until Monday morning. THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION. | WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THE JOINT COMMITTEE'S PLAN BY LAWYERS AND BUSINESS MEN— VIEWS THAT DO NOT HARMONIZE—THE GEN- ERAL FEELING IN THIS CITY AND VICINITY ON THE WISDOM OF THE PLAN. To ascertain the temper of the people in relation to the piaus recently submitted for counting the electoral | vote, Hekaup reporters yesterday interviewed several prominent citizens not identifed with politics as a profession, The opinions elicited, it will be noticed, are by no means all one way. Mr. George Ticknor Curtis, when asked his views concerning the legality | ofthe appointment of the tribunal, made answer in the following terms :— GEORGE TICKNOR, CURTIS’ VIEWS. “When you called here before I had uot read the full text of the bill and did not well understand the plan in all its bearings. I have since had an opportunity to read and consider it. 1 will say of it, in the first place, that it is entitled to the merit of rejecting the mon- strous proposition that the Presidentof the Senate is to exercise sole authority of counting the electoral yotes. In this respect I should, think that the bill would meet with the decided approbation of tho country. Then, too, it seems to me to be entitled to the jurther merit of baving provided a mode in which the two houses of Congress can discharge their constl- tutional function of ascertaining whether any and what persons have been clected President and Vice Presi- dent in mode adapted to the present extraordinary condition of affairs. SOME SPECIAL MEANS NKCKSSARY, Itseems to have been considered necessary in the present condition of the electoral vote tbat some special means should be taken ot arriving at a just and true conclusion, ‘The state of the electoral vote is such that, without some special and hitherto unaccustomed means of deciding the questions that have arisen, the people of the United States could not ve satistied as to the result, ‘This, I should infer, has been the conciusion arrived at by the committee who reported the Dill. Of courge the most important question in relation to it is whether 11s within the scope of the constitutional powers of the two houses as a mode of discharging their constitutional duty, As I read and interpret the bill, it contemplates that the President of the Senate shail open ail the cer- tficates of electoral votes, and papers purporting to be such certificates, in the presence of the two houses, and sball hand them over to the tellers ap- pointed by those two bodies In the alphabetical order ot the names of the States; that the tellers shall make a list of the votes as they shall appear from the certificates, and after the votes have been ascertained and counted, in the mode provided by the Dill, the result shall be delivered to the President of the Senate, who shall thereupon announce the state of the vote and the names of the persons, if any, elected. Now, in’ from any State, the bill mukes a distinct proceeding | in respect to those votes of which there is ouly one return, and a special proceeding in respect to those States from which there is more than one return. Io | regard to the cases where there is Lat one return from Le the President of the Senate js to call for ob- jections, which objections are to be signed by at least oue Senator and one Representative. Un these objec tions the two bodies are to Vote separately, and tt will re- quire the affirmative concurrent vote of the two houses to reject any such certificate. In the cases where there 18 more than oue return from any Stute, uniess they shall be duplicates of the same return, the returns | The objections to these e The messages, $0 ‘ar as be could remember, were | Bigued Chandler sad addressed 0 Phomas B, Keogh, Ot North Carolina, They were to the toliowing effect,— “We think Hayes @lected, but if possible hold your Ve think Hayes vlected, but wish to add your Stan Witness said one of the telegrains was rather a jong one: he did not think it mentioned any means of hoid- fog on to the Stare. A VACANCY NOT FILLED. Madison Wells, President of tne Loutsiana Return- tng Bourd, was examined by Mr. Field, wired whether there Was not a vacancy im that board whied wii not Miled aud why! The avswer of the witness was in the affirm: and be suid the vacancy was not filed becau Members could wot agree upon aman; Dr was proposed by the democrats to il tue @ portion of the Board objected to him; there were four members acting us the Board, all of them repu Kenuedy licans; they never resolved to reject or admit another mI person as a memper ol the Bo: @ Why did you not as Pre tion to the Board? A, I did proposition acted op instantly, Of the Board when they would take @ Then no vore was ever tuk dmission of Dr. Keunedy as a inember of the A. None; it was geverul days alter the Board had commenced ex- amining the returus that dir. Zacharie, representing the democrats, protested against iurther proceedings niess the vacancy 10 the Board were filed; but it was But filled, The witness, in reply to x question, said the result of the canvassers wus made a mutter Of record, and the returns showed the umber of Fotes rejected Mir, Lawrence objectod to any further questioning on this porut, ws the subject was a matier o ord aud as no refusal bad been made Co iuspect the report of the Returning Board and to take copies of the records. Mr, ; awreuce said that the Returning Bowrd were veld asin cootermpto! the House because they deine to roduee the records velor® the Morrigon Commitee. i not produce the records Because the law ent put the proposi- ot propose to bave the put asked the question f ’ the Secretary of State. Mr Field asked ;—But were not the records in pos- | juuy: gession of the Board when tho Morrison Committee Hed tor them’ ue. Lawrence repheds—The records were in their Individual possession at that time as custodians Mr, Fieid remarked vhat ttre fact tnat the recorus re not here was not the sawt of tbe comm itice, who id a tube by oral inquiry to find cut their ebaracter. Tuere was Lo juggiery or lithe joker Lere, Tbe com- OEE EEE EEE OE, eee | AX ADVISORY BODY, ch archives to be deposited in the ollice of | land aud accompanying papers shall ’be submitted to the judgment of the proposed commission to decide which is tbe true and lawful electoral vote of the State, This commission is to be composed of five Senators, five Representatives aud tive Judges of the Supreme Court, tidecates wilt have been pi tor by the President of the Senate viousiy called given in over the signature of at least one Seuator and une Representative; whieh objections will go with tbe duplicate returns and — other papers belore the commission. The commission will deee whetner, under the powers which the two houses possess, any and what votes compre. ended in such duplicate certificates are the truc aud wiul Votes of those States, following, iu making sucn on, the constitution of the United States and the | existing laws, But I co wot andersiand that the de- jous of the commission ate 0 be necessarily tinal, is provaded in the bill that the decisions of tne ininission shali be mace in Writing, stating briefly grounds thereol; that the two bouses shull again (. and such uecwion sbuil be read and entered in the journal of cach Louse. then the counting of the | votes shall proceed im conformity with tb of the commission, unless ovje thereto, iu. writing, by. atl | Representatives, the two houses shall concer im or- ering Otherwise, in Wuich Case concurrent order shall ern, Ii seems to me that vs ect of this pro onstitatioual yer finul counting of & Value of the commiaaion © two houses 0 | reserved, and t sists iu’ the tWo houses being furmiqhed w Separate opinion of a body of persous who bave heard aud caretuily sidered all the questions arieinmg fi cuges Of duplicate returns, according tu the primer of the constiiution and statutory law inquiry that will commend tiself Lo the cou country, without displacing the constitutions! ameter ol the two # a8 the inbunal whieh 1 to the tinal de it | felt obliged to construe the ting the counting of the electoras the States Which have sent duplcate recur final ou of any commission whatever, I at consider ihe measure a8 Very objectionable, fat f Lot so construe tt, [seems ic me that it bas provicea ad method.of procveding Wuieh is somMEWhAL agalogou to the method by which (he House of Lords, in & u difficult Jegal Controversies, assisis iis own vous comm | jucginent by calling tor the opinions of the Vie judges aro assembled to hear the arguments on both sides, they then deliver their opinions, whieh are received by the House as merely advisory. The Judges do not decide the cause, but they merely certily to the House bow they tink whe case should be decided. But their opifions vo wot wind th juuieia! capacity in tne t Wa own judameut o House, which acts in ite wl 10n of the cuge opon the merits, The mecuod pro- He answered be bad none iv bis | Biatements to this effect Roce pasy, the returng of the | | Feliciana was thrown out and the parish of Grant was ; votes thrown out were for Tilden electors, The wit- j order to meet the contingency of more than one return | vided by this bill is somewh: nalogous, if | construe itnebtly, Thetwo hou: to have the ald of commission, the members of which wili make de cisions which the two houses can accept or overrule as they may see fit, I THR JUDGES’ OPINIONS OF GREAT WEIGHT. There updoubtediy some advantage to be derived from the assistance of the five Judges of the Supreme Court. Their habits of reasoning upon coustitutional and lega! questions, the methods of investigation to which they are accustomed and their removal from | the sphere of qirect and sctive politics, wili opinions upon thi questions, | should suppose, Great weight wi e peopie of the country and the two houses, And I feel bound to say, without any rel- erence to the loss or gain which tber political party from the adoption of this m - a 1 bave not been able to see any solid objec- 10B to 1 . THE PROFOEND DA: Rev. Henry Wgra Beecher said am disinctined to it and think the power lies :m the President of the Senate. That course, in my opinion, is sufficiently mple and a great deal safer. A change of the kind Proposed :8 a step in the dark, und ‘s liaole to develop & very essential change in the method of our institu ; Mons. | greatiy doubt :f it shouid be put im practice | ifs would sutisty either party any more than the ' count by the Vice President, | regurdthe tramera of the constitution as having debated thoroughly on botn sides the preptiey of allowing Congress to de the judge of the Presidential elections by the States. | They foresaw the protound da: | phatically, We may get over tb this expedient only to find our | perti, [t 18 ope step toward consolidation of the federal government. 1 am jealous of State rights, though I do not believe in State sovereignty. APPROVAL OF A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, Justice Gilbert, of the Supreme Court, said that he approved of the appointment of the committees acting with the Supreme Court judges. Such a procedu will be to the advantage of the democrats.) The Judge gaid that any party that undertakes to settle the Presi- ntia! election question by civil war will be pus dowa very quickly. IT SHOULD RE ONLY 45 ADVISORY BODY. fhe, Neilson, of the Brooklyn City Court, said he regarded the proposition in the tight of ap arbitration, and he hoped they would come to ap amicable settle- ment. The proposition to bring in the Supreme Court* Juages was, however, unconstitutional. Congress ‘alouc has the rightto count the vote of the electoral colicges. !f the Sapreme Court judges are called in it | ghouid only be as an advisory body. 17 WULL-DOZESs THE NALLOT, Mr. Oakey Hali said:. “While my opinion, perhaps, is worth more re- garding a Count im an Indictment than a Presi- dential count, it seems to me doth as man aud ijawyer that tne plan plung ermine into political pools, 1t bull-dozes the baliot. It chioroforms the constitution. It insti gates a legislative raffle. . 1t puts the Electoral Colleg 13 commission, Politicians and impatient capital | may justify it upon the Shakespearian ground that “desperate diseases (like the Loulsiana Jeprosy, the Floriaa dropsy and the South Carolina cancer) demand desperate remedies.” Yet almost every lawyer must rogatd the plan as unjust to tbe history of our past (‘rom the duys of the Federalist to the Democratic Re- view), and ag initiating dangerous precedents for our future,” JOHN KELLY’S VIEWS. Comptroller Kelly stated that in his opinion the plan was a good one, and he thought that i could be carried to a successful termination. “The men,” said he, “who have the niatter under consideration are good | lawyers, who ought to be able to pass upon its consti- tutionality, It would bea great thing if it could be carried out, It seems a fair plan, and it ought to be accepted as a solution of the difficulty. If 1 were now in Congress I would undoubtedly support it and yoto for it, Ltbimk it will be passed and that the gemoc- racy of the country will be satisfied with the decision | Of the fifteen, whatever it may be, NEW JERSEY SEXTIMENT. Tho almost universal sentiment of the business men 1p New Jersey favorable to the p: measure. ‘They care very little whet Hayes or Tilden President, so long as it secures count and a season of rest, peace and a return to business prosperity such as will torever put an end to the pauperism which now oppress+s the country, Mr. David W. Baker, ex-President of the Com- mon Council, and now Comptroller of the city as well as president of a leading finaucial institu- tion, fateh ee to a HERALD representative that while the vill was pot exactly what he rr garded as best, still, in the present condition of tho country and the attitude of parties, &c., he would be in favor of the moasure, provided it was constitutional and nota compromise. The country demanded pea and a return to business activity. To secure these Diessings it was ill-disposed to brook mere technical objections, He thinks the bill will pass) Mr, Baker, it may be remarked, is a straight out republican. President J. B. Pumeo,.ot the National Newark Banking Company, thinks the country ought 0 ve grateful to the committee; that ther plan ts the wisest they could reach, and that any party opposing the bill would earn the condemnation of the nation, President Mutt, of the State Bank, and Mr. P. 5. Dur, think the proposed tribunal will meet the approbation of moderate men of all parties, Mr. Isaac Gaston thinks the committee did all that could be cone in bringing forward a measure that would be practical and dissipate the country of doubt and apprehension. George Peters thought the bill the best that could be conceived under the circum- nees, So did Daniel Dodd, president of the Newark ngs Institution, The leading New Jerrey demo- cratic organ, published in Newark, enthusiastically in- dorses tue bill, Its opponent, the chiet Ji of the auministration, sapposed to be largely in its tone by Senator Frelinghuysen, treais the sub- ject with great caution, It does not Indorso it, though it believes it will be passed by a large majority of both houses. WILLIAM BEACH LAWRENCE'S VIEWS—HE IN- DORSES THE PLAN OF THE JOINT COM- MITTEE AND HAS THE HIGHEST OPINION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TRIBUNAL. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ] Newrort, R. 1, Jan. 20, 1877. Hon, William Beach Lawrence was called upon this evening by a Heracp correspondent for the purpose of getting that gentleman’s viows upon the bill for count- ing the electoral votes by a mixed commission, and although very busy he kindly consented, after reading the HERa.p editorial, in to-day’s issue, which he pro- nounced very able and conveying the real sentiment of those who wish the Presidential question settled specaily and amicably. In the course of his remarks he said:—"I havo not examined the plun sufficiently to form an opinion a8 to details so 6as)6to)|6Cckpow whether every contingency that m: arise in the course of the counting has been provided for, but | the questions havo been so prominently discussed for weeks that it is scarcely possible that their settlement should not have attracted the attention of the very able committee, It is understood that the power of the two houses in the last resort is so reserved that any constitutional question as to calling in the inter. vention of another body to perform what the constitu- tion contempiates, should be done by the two Houses of Congress is met. At all events I have the tulleet confidence that Senator Tourman, who is not only the ; ablest lawyer of the Senate, but one of the most emi- nent jurists of the country, has not permitted tne insertion of any provision that would jeopardize uh constitutionality of the proposed proceed- ings, ‘The resorting to the aid of a judicial tribunal to settle poitucal elections is not now had tor the first time, and it may weil happen that the present proceeding will free us from the repetition of the acts of such infamous bodies as the Returaing Board of Louisiana, which, althovgb it boasts that nota single member of it is a lawyer, ‘claims the power to de- cide judicially aud without appeal the most intricate legal questions, while, tf its decisions are permitted to stand, it controls the destinies not of Louisiana alone, but of the whole Union, The House of Commons from time immemorial possessed the power of passing irrevocably, as our houses of Congress now do, on the quaitications of their members, The impression which existed that the decisions were too likely to be swerved by partisan considerations led to what was called the Grenville act, and by which It | was supposed a fair tribunal might be | obtained irom members of their own body. But however much the scheme was at first approved tm its operation it was found not to be entirely tree irem the detects of the old plan, and since 1868 all questions ng frown disputed ciections are referred to a judicial tribunal, presided over by judges of one of the high courts of Westminster, with au appeal to one of those courts Of the judges who have been selected to give their aid in this momentous occasion it would be presumptuous in me wo offer any otber remark thap to stale what bo | one wiil deuy, that neither the learning nor | the integrity of any one of them has ever been as- failed, and a more irreproachabie tribunal it would be impossible to Ond m the universe. It is my happiness, besides appreciating their judiciai labors, io have been honored by a personal intercourse with’ them all Leanpot but feel the fullest. confidence in having r | ferred tothem the claims of the candidate whom I have ce wiently supported, aba whose election is to be desired on every public consideration,” | | MOVEMERT OF BOSTON ME Bostox, Jan, 20, 1 A wellattended mecting of business men was held at the Exchange to-day, aud appointed a cominittee to arrange fora public meeting at Faneuil Hali to cons er the coulerence piau jor settling the Presidential CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE, Cnicaco, Ui. Jan. 20, 1 A resolation introduced at the meeting of the Board of Traae yesterday approving the pian uf the Compro- feiee Committee on the electoral count was voted on Uday abd deowied by the President to bave been car- fied, though tue Vole was Very close, MK, WHEELER DECLINES. W. A. Wheeler deciines to express an opinion on the Comprotaive vill, SOUTH CAROLINA, | WHAT UNITED STATES MARSUAL WALLACE SAYS—-HAMPTON'S POWERLESS POSITION, United States Marshal R, M. Wallace, of South Caro- jing, being on ait to New York, a Herato reporter j government. for the purpose of learning something of the affairs in the Paimetto State, in ita present condition of dual ‘The gist of the conversation that took place was as follows:—Mr, Wallace began by saying that im South Carolina party lines were very strictly drawn, He said tnat tne republicans all thought that Cnam ber: bad been legaily elected as Governor, and that if justice were done he weuld ve enavied to retain bie seat 1! honest democrats, continued Mr. Wallace, ‘wll confess their true co! i vViction, they will say, too, that Hampton was de fteated, although he obtained the majority of the votes cast, Mr. Hampton cannot fairly claim the election, because the fraud and imtimidation which were prac- used tm Laurens and Edgefield counties are apparent foal Tne increase of democratic voters in Edgefield for instance, over i874 was over 3,000, while the republican decrease was httie or notnin dt will guarantee that not over 200 voters immigrated to the State within tne two years."” “What are the prospects of the rival governments ?"" “The prospects will bo controlled entirely by the course ofeventein Washington, lf Hayes is declared elected the government wiil prevent Chamberlain trom being ousted, and the latter will be recognized by the people ater atime. Ofcourse there will be a great deal of ill-teeling among the democrats, bus it will be short lived, If Tilden is inaugurated the republicans in South Carolina will be compelied by force and ploodsned to relinquish ail ciaim to the State government. The republicans look to the genera! gov- ernment tor the protection of property apd the democrais feel that the only o! \heir way of getting contro! of the Stat governnicnt, Everysbing ts now quiet seem disposed to await the decisions im the jegal ques. Mons pow raised by the rival governments At pres. ent {tis impossible ior Hampton (o enforce a genei collection of taxes, although # large majority of the taxpayers are democrats. Hampton's Legislature did not pass any tax or appropriation bill, ‘They simply autnorized ther Governor to call for @ contribution on the basis of @ certain +per- centuge of the taxes paid last year. Chamberlain's Legislature, however, passed regular tax and appropr)- ation bills which provide for an assessment Lo inves vil the expenses of the government, including interest on the public aebt and for school and county purposes. Because of the Indetiniteness and irregularity of u contribution called tor by Hampton many of bis own friends hesitate to puy, for the reason that they doa’t that such a payment would relieve them from reg ular taxation, 1 can’t say positively, thougl I have been told that many democrats are preparing to pay their taxes to the Chamberlain government. No re- publicans have responded to Hampton’s call. ‘The meim- bers of the democratic Legisiature were eacb paid $100, but it was on somebody's private credit. 1 know | ‘bat Hampton bas not been abie to obtain a penny of State funds, Chamberlaiu’s men were paid u week or ten days Jater with moneys raised by the republican State Treasurer, ’? oi do the people feel concerning Prosident Gran lion in removing the troops from their State, while be allowed them to rematio in Louisiana?’? “Neither party consider that the same attention was necessary in South Carolina, The republicans think that the troops did enough during the cam- pain and celvction, f baven’t beard uny democrat compluin that the presence of the truops preveuted them trom carrying ous any of their plans, though, of course, they do suy that the sending of the troops was unconstitutional ‘and unne- cessury to preserve the peace. The act is, tbat but for the presence of the troops the elections in many laces would have resulted in bloody rio! “1 think Hampton would nonestly haptovg to carry out the intentions be has prociaimed, but! have not the remotest idea that he would be avie to induce his Legislature to concur with the policy inid down in the plattorm of the democratic party. The practical result would be that the colored man would be deprived o/ his rights, not because Hampton would so wili it, because be ry honorabie man. In fact what quiet we bave had is to his great influence over the ultra element of the cratic party, but the animosity of the democrats gainst colored republicaus because they are republi- cans could not be overcome. 11 13 the intention of we democrats to kill the republican party im South aro- ina,”” LOUISIANA. THE DEPOSED STATE LIBRARIAN REINSTATED ON GENERAL AUGUR'S ORDER—A GAIN FOR THE DEMOCRATS—NO CHANGE IN THE PRESI- DENT'S POLICY. New Oxieavs, Jan, 20, 1877, In obedionce to the orders of General Augur the State Librarian, who was deposed yesterday by Nich- olls’ Secretary of State, was to-day reinstated by the Nicholls authorities. + ACOKSSION TO THE DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE, L, J. Barron, of Natchitoches parish, lett the repub- lican House to-day, and was sworn in and seated in the democratic House, PRESIDENT GRANT'S POLICY UNCHANGED, WasunincTon, Jan. 20, 1877. ‘There ia no present prospect of a change in the gov- vernment’s policy concerning Loutstana. The Prosi dent, in answer to inquiries to-duy, repeated in effect what he bas heretofore said on that subject—namely, that he was not prepared to recognizo either State government pending Congressional investigation, but would be prepared to suppress disturbances and’ pre- serve the peact HAYES AND BRISTOW. REPORTED OVERTURES BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO THE EX-SEC- RETARY OF THE TREASURY—AN EXCITED PERSONAL ALTERCATION—A QUESTION OF VERACITY. (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Lovisvitts, Ky., Jan. 20, 1877. A sensation of a very decided nature transpired here to-day, ex-Secretary Bristow and Colonel Edward Poik Johnson, city editor of the Hvening News of this city, figuring in it most conspicuously, The trouble came about im this way:—Jobnson, having information which he deemed of sufficient interest for the Associated Press, sent word to Mr. Edward F. Madden, the ‘representative of the Western Press Association in Louisville, asking him to eall at the News office. Madden complied promptly, and was told that Johnson had been intormed of a letter to Bristow from a person authorized te speak ¢or Governor Hayes, saying that inthe event of the lat- ter’s inauguration he (Hayes) would see to the vindi- cation of Bristow and his friends from wnat the Grant party bas said against them, Johnson pronounced his information as perfectly reliable—in fact, honest | beyond doubt—and thereupon Madden sent the information to the Associated Press in a telegram of sixty-four words. He then sought Bristow for further facts, Onding him with United States Distriet Judge Ballard and Colonel Whar- ton, late United States District Attorney of Kentucky, Bristow was told of what the News would publish, and asked for a copy of the letter. He manifested consid- | erable excitement, and said ‘‘There’s not a word of truth in the matter.” Then calling upon Colonel Wharton to hurry uround to the Vrws office and ae- mand that the item be suppressed, he himself rematued ssociated Press agent and Judge Ballard, and to tell the former that the wnole story was iy Bristow asked the agent to 80 tele. graph, and the latter complied. A PRRRONAL The cx-Secretary then pro office, aud meeting the latter spoke severely of his uce tion, Johnson gave him to understand that conduct- ing the United States Treasury Department and editing a newspaper are very different tuings; whereupon Bristow, it 18 said, intimated that Jonnson sought to | traduce him by publishing an art which he knew | was false. Johnson called Bristow ‘a damned har,” and said bis informant was entirely reliable. A col | lision seemed imminent, when friends interfered aud 13, separated the bellige! THE OFFENSIVE PUBLICATION. The interview, as published in the Lvening News, was as fo\lows:-—"'Well, en Briatow has recently re- evived a letter from a prominent man, authorized to speak for Hayes, seying, that inthe event of his in- auguration be (Bristow! and his trends ball be tuily viudieated. OF course, that cam mean nothing more than that Bristow aud those who supported nd lost their heads for 14 will either be reinstated | or given something else, Now 1 did not see this letter myself, but a gentieman who gave me this information | did see it und read 1, News May—Have you any objection to giving us his name for publication? “LNvonMaNT-—L cannot do that; butt will say thathe is a rehable gentleman, known to the peuple of Louis. | ville, You can depend upon this information being | correct, “fhe News representative attempted to learn some- thing additional that would = assist bim in | fixing the identity of the person who had rend the letter, but failed. The gentleman had been in uewspaper offices before and knew the ways of the journalistic worl ‘Pur in wnat | bave told you, aud depend upon it,’ said he. ” 19 THR ANY TROTH IN IT? The affair produces a good deal of excitement. Jonson is @ Kentuckian and Was once tn the Legis- lature, He’ has been connected with the Courter- Journal, St. Louis Times and other papers, and is weil regarded despite all that has happened. Many people here inclive to the belief that there oxist grounds, and very good grounds, for Johnson's article, ATORSHIP, ‘TH ILLINOIS SEN LOGAN STILL LACKS THREE VOTES IN THE JOINT SESSION. SpRincrietp, Jao, 20, 1877. ‘The nineteenth ballot for a Uuisea States Senator re- Auderson, 100. The twentieth ballot was taken with the same result aa above The twenty-first ballot resulted as tollows:—Logan, 97; Palmer, 85; Andersov, 13; Haines, Parish, 1 The twenty-second and twenty-third 1m no change, alter which the Legiflature tn joint ees- sing adjourned til) Monday. ARMY REORGANIZATION, Wasuixoros, Jan, 19, 187 Two biils passed by the House lust year, and n0w pending in the Senate, provide for serious modifica- tions of the organization and pay of the army. The maximum strength of she army is fixed by law at 25,600 men. [hese are organized into twenty-five regiments of cavalry, ten of infantry, five of artillery and Indianecouts, Sixteen thousand é!x hundred and sixty-five are private soldiers and $,345 are non-com- missioued officers and musicians. Add to these 2,168 commissioned officers on the active li3t and 300 office! on the retired list, making in all 10, ; and accord- ing to ‘al Banving, Chairman of the House Mili- tary Committee, there is an army organization of 16,665 private soldiers commanded, marshalled and managed by 10,803 commissioned and oon-commis- Bioned officers, artificers, musicians and wagoners. This gives s commander for each one and one-third soldier in the service, showing vhat our army is an | army of officers, an army for display, and not a prac- Ucai, useful, efficient military force such as the coun- try requires. ki OPFICRRS IN 4 REGIMENT. A single regiment of infantry iutely paraded with eighty corporals, fifty sergeants, a commissary ser- geant, quartermaster sergeant, color sergeant, hospital steward, ten second lieutenants, ven captai quar- vermaater, an adjutant, three surgeons, one major, one lieutenant colone! and one colonel, 172 tn all, in com- mand of 100 privates. In the case of another regi- ment, after deducting the number of non-commis- sioned officers, there would be left cighty-four private soldiers. “Deduct from this number the company clerks and necessary to send over to another regiment to borrow @ private to call the corporal of the guard that he might advise the garrison of tie approach of the officer of the day.’ ‘These and other statements respecting the present organization of the army were first considered by the House. WHAT 19 REQUIRED OF THE ARMY. The facts shown in regard to the duties and responsi- bilities of the army were next considered. The present army of 25.000 men, viewing the duties now required of it, is asserted to be relatively smaller than the army in 1860 of 14,000. In 1860 there were 12 milltaryg posts and 1734 regiments west of the Mizsisai jp) and only eight forts and three regi- ments north of the thirty-nioth paralle) and east of the Rocky Mountains, embracing the area out of woich the Territories of dlontana, (Makota and Wyoming have since been jormed, with parts braska and Minnesota. At preseut there are 112 posts amd 32}, regiments west of the Mississippi, of which number 39 posts and 14 regiments are within the limits above described—31 posts and 11 regimenta more than jn 1860. Since 180 Colorado, Nevada, Dakotah, Artzona, Montana and Wyoming, occupying a total of 801,426 square miles, haye been organized into Territories and States, There are, besides, the Indian Territory, of 68,991 square miles, and the new Verritory of Alaska, 577,390 square miles, where roam. 289,000 Indians. Beyond the Mississippi, since 1861, there have veen built these railroads Nortvern Pacitic, runumg trom Duiuth, Minn, to Bismarck, Dakota, 450 miles. Union Pacific aud Central Pacific, from Omaba to San Francisco, 1,907 miles, Kansas Pacific, trom Kansas City to Denver, 639 miles, Denver Pacific, from Denver to Cheyenne, 106 miles. Atchison, Topeka aud Santa Fé, from Atchison, Kansas, to West Las Animas, Coi,, 636 miles, Missour!, Kansas and V'exus, trom Hannibal to Gal- Feston, 964 miles, dlissourt Kiver, Fort Scott and Guif, (rom Kansas City to Buxter Springs, 159 miles. tn ull 4,761 miles of railway through the Indian country to be protected, like the frontier, by the army from the Indians. Moreover allusion was mude to the tact that the Texas truutier wae irequeutly threatened feud even invaded by Mexican marauders. 4 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOUSE, These two sets of considerations imauced the House to recommend: 1, The gradual reduction and consolidation of certain ‘and other official departments of the ariny regiments. ‘ juction of the numerical strength of the army at The first section of tho bill provides jor the reduction Of the infantry regiments to twenty aad of tho cavalry regiments to vight. This would iuke # reduction of 177 wmtautry ofticers aud eighty-eight cavuiry officers, sixty non-commissioned stall ollicers and 1,010 non- commissioned stail officers, aud it is alleged that it ‘would resuit in a saving o1 $569,036 a year. Sections 2, 4 und 6 provide tur duing away with the Tegimentul ‘artiery organizution—an organization which was nover known tu be in uctien on tis cont nent, DOF Was it ever calied out for display iv time of peace. Section 3 exacts that no officer below the rank of major shall hereaiter receive promotion uuu he shall bave passed a sutisfactory examinution velore a bourd of senior otticers. By sections 4 and 7 the education of officers, non- commissioned ollicers and privates 1s secured, Section 8 reduces the wumber of uides-de-camp to general officers trom tuirty to seventeen, involving a reduction in extra pay of $10,175, By section 9 new appointments and promotions in the Bureau of Milltury Justice and among the judge advocates of the army are forvidden—the testimony ot army officers, beg nning with Generai Sherman, being ugainst the necessity and even tho ality of this bu- reau. Aputber section fixes the Leadquarters of the army in time of peade at Wasuingtou; aud, at last, the ad- vovates of the meusure claim that, 1 adopted, at will regult in an immediate saving of 433 44 yearly, andan ullimate yeariy saving of $1,166,257 76, aud that it will effect great changes aud retorms in the tnapagement of the army which will add to its elti- ciency, PAY AND ALLOWANCES, The second bili, reguiauug the pay and allowances for toruge und quarters of army officers, is even more striking, In 1860 we had as olficers oue major general (Scott), who was a@ lieutenant gen- eral by brevet; three brigadier gen 8 Of the line wand oue oi the sufi—tive geucral ollicers 1m ull—whose ag- gregate pay und allowances amounted to avout 39, 0UU, Now we lave a general, a heuienant general, three mwor generals, six brigadier generals of tha line und seven of the stall, whose aguregate pay and allowances amount to $10u,¥26 48, an increase of tour to one in univers ane of more then jour-iold 1p umeunt of pay. Iu detaiis (he bill makes changes and reductions in Salaries us loliows:— i, lt reduces the pay and allowances ot the General of the Army irom $15,031 91 to $10,000; those of the Lieutenunt General trom $13,593 86 tv $5,000; shose ot majeur generals irom $10,093 to $6,000; und those of brigadier geuerals irom $7,013 Lo $5,000. This ieuves the pay of the General double that of a Seuutor, the pay of the Lieutenant General sixty per ceut more than that of a Senator, and the pay of a brigadier gen- eral equal to that ofa Seautor; but one uf ihe argue fy that wo army ollicer has no other yocatiou, while the wiembers of botu houses of Congress have indepen- dent means of livelihood aud protit, 2 The pay proper of colonels, lieutenant coloneis, mujors, captains and first licutepants is not changed. “These,” us explained by a prominent member of the House commitice, “are the hardworking oiticers of theurmy, many of (hem paving beeu general officers in the war; meu who led (heir commands in action, whose long und faithful service entities them to the bighest cousideration, whose pay proper is not two large, and, 1n the opinion of the committee, should not be reduced. "” 3 The bill reduces the pay and allowances of second heutenants $200 a year fur the first fuur years of their service, fixing the salary at $1,200 lor those not mounted and $1,800 for those mounted. The chap- luins’ pay ts reduced from $1,600 to $1,200. The auow- ance for rent of ollicers’ quarters igcut down from $is to $12 & month, jeaving allowances to oflicers tor quur- ters as loliows:—To a colonel, $60 a mouth when oa detail; to a lieutenant cviouel, $48 a month; to 4 cap. tain, $36; tow lculenunt, $34. 4 ‘There is « reduction of the quantity of tuel, of the number of horses and the quauiity of torage allowed to olticers. ‘i ‘Tue bill prevents any staff officer detached upon the tail of the General or Lieutenant Geperal from receiv: hy any rank or wiJowances more than those velongiug to whe next grade above that of his actual rank in the army. Ants ap adjutants aud quarcurmasters, assigning Wwese ollicers to the first Vacuncies thut occur in their grades, It ulso provides that cuapiaing shall herea: ‘be ap. pointed for tour years only, subject to reappointment aud coutirmatios by the Senate, it is claimed by 1t8 advocau » that the pi eof this bili will save more than $500,000 yearly, bul some of its provisions are bitterly assuted. THK MILITARY COMSISSION. agreed to by the House ana now deiberated vy the Senate Military Cominittee are peuding, te commis- sion = appumied lust year vy the President pursues its javors, This commission, to consider the expediency of rourguuizing the army, consisis of Generals West and Corcorau, of the Senate; General Bauning aud Huribut, of the Hous 1 man and Mayor General Meigs, of the Army.» The Seu- ave Will undoubledly await tts judgmeut velore acting on cither of the House ills, “ibe commission 18 dis- cussivg several propositions, but has uot yet reached detinite conclusions. ‘There is vyuriety of opinion whether the army sbail be kept up to 25,000 or even to 30,000 then of decreased to 20,000. Three opinions on on, (rom the most distinguished ollicors in bave Leon tiled; three more ure expected. strong disposivon to reduce the Humber of regiments aud tocrease the numerical streagth of the | respective rompauies to 200 in time of war, giving each | company one cuptain,one frst lieutenant and one second j Maines | called ou Lim at the Grand Coaira: moiel yesterday, Ne@uasary to « heutenant «Tweive companies of Unis size would | form o reximieut vt 2.500 med, wud Cats is the proposed extra duty men, and the ——st regiment would tnd it | ments used against the reduction and this comparison | Irepewis the law authorizing extra lieuten- | In the meantime, while these important measures | regimental organization, The commszion has not vet determined Gpon the consolidation of the Quarter- inaster and Commissary departments: THE INDIAN All the members agreed that the Indian Bureag should be transferred to the War Departmons, believ- tng that the transfer would have good resulis tor the Indians and tor the people of the tronter, and that 16 would prove economical te the government The members of the commission generally think that there is a surplus of cavalry. hey will probably recom end a reduction of this branch and an mereuse Of ite Jantry. * A proposition to reduce the artillery forces |g de- bated with much earnestness, but it is impossible to e. ‘The commission will probably a upon some re- form or change in the method of paymeaots to the army so us to make i more frequent and regular, bus no change ‘n the rates of pay bus yet been diseu: either hasan agreement been reached on the ques tion bow oificers shall be appointed and promot whether trom West Point or the ranks. The questioa of the status of non-commissioned officers pot been reached. Before it cets through with the subject the commission will consider the whole matter of the educution of the soidier and his gradual promotion, | THE POLITICAL SITUATION. ‘The following correspondence will explain itself;— Youne Mey’s Democratic Cuca, Jan. 17, 1877. Dgak SiK—At the meet to-day of the Executive Committee of the Young Men's Democratic Club, whieb was originally formed, ag you ure aware, to resist the domination of Tweed and his alles, and which, since their overthrow, bas done effective cervice ip opposing the republican ‘administration, it was considered that an acdress on the political situation would be highly } desirable, Remembering with great pleasure the able manner in whice you discussed tne issues of the late campaign, ip com nee with our invitation, yout name naturally occurs to os us that of the proper pér- gon Lo make the address, and we vow appiy to you te } gratify our wishes in that respect, We have the honor to be, with great respect, yout obedient servants, J. A. BEALL. THOMAS STOKES, JAMES H. SKIDMORE, STUYVESANT BF. ‘MORRIS, CHARLES D. INGERSOLL, Parke Gopwin, Esq. Committees. New York, Jag, 18, 1877, GaytLEMES—In reply to your kind communication of the 17th inst { beg leave to remark that} have little to say that would ve novel or interesting ov the immediate question thut absorbs the pabue ind, but I bave thought that a dispassionate con. sigeration of “ihe movement of political opinion wad its relations to the existing coutroversy” might be of use to all parties. re ve pleased to ut my sentiments if you will have the patience to tiste: to them al such time and piace as you may select. |. Yours, truly, RKE GODWIN, New Youk, Jan, 19, 1877. Parke Gopwis. Esq Deak Sig—We learn that you have been requested by the Young Men's Democratic Club to address them on the political topics of present moment. Believing that the expression of your views will b¢ of interest aud advantage to the ‘public we venture to requi if it be wot incouvenient to you and the gentiemen of the club, that you will deliver your ad. dress at some public place where our citizens gene ee}ly may have ap opportunity of bearing you. We are, dear sir, yours very gruly, ROYAL PHELPS, JOHN J, CISCO, +JAMES M. BROWN, SAMUEL 1, BABUOCK, ANS! PHELPS STOKES, Mr. Godwin will deliver nis address at the Coopet | Union Tuesday, January 23, at eight P.M. DEMOCRATS IN COUNCIL: ‘An adjourned meeting of business men of this city, members of the democratic party, was held last even ing at the Everett House. ‘The proceedings wort strictly private, but it is generally understood that ite object was to agree upon a form of call fora public mass mecting, to be held at an eurly date, and to draw up resolutions to be submitted to the meeting. The purpose of the movement 13 to offer the support of the | citizens, regard of party, to the houses of Con- gress in the efforts which they are at present making to arrive ata peaceful solution of the Pre ential diff. guity. Mr. Augustus Schell occupicd the chair and Mr. Hugh L. Cole acted ecretary. Among (hose present were Messrs. August Belmont, J. 3. Thayer, General Sigel, P. B. Olney and C. C, Baldwin, THE DEMOCRATIC CLANS. The Tammany and antt-Tammany Executive com. mittees met yesterday, the former in the Wigwam and the latter at No, 23 Park row, Mr. Scholl presided over the Tammany meeting, which passed resolutions of condoience with the family of Assemblyman Hea- ley, a member of the Gereral Committee, whose douth | was announcea, The anti-lammauyites transacted no business of importance, es THE BLACK HILLS. STATEMENTS OF THE WEALTH AND THE WANTA OF THE REGION. ‘ Yaxktows, D, T., Jan. 20, 1877. Aninformal joint session of the two houses of the Dakota Legislature was held this afternoon to listen to addresses made by parties representing the interests of the people of the Biack Hills ana concerning the resources of the region and the wants of the peuple, &e. Professor Henckle presented an accurate map of the | entire mining region made from actual surveys, and showing the location of all tne chief claims, accom panied with statistics as to their richness, General Dawson, revenue officer, located there, ali made an address. The ‘latter 18 on bis way to W. ington to urge Congressional action with reference to the Black Hills, ‘The statements were all unqualified as to the rich- ness of the region in minerals, tho quality of the soil and the extent of timber. The Legislature awaits the action of Congress iv | ratifymg an agreement with the Sioux, to provide set | tlers with courts and local organizationa, but can de pothing until the Indian title is extinguished, FAILURE IN THE BOOK TRADE | Cucago, Jan. 20, 1877. Messrs, Keen, Cook & Co., booksellers here, failed to-duy. Their ltabilitics are about $100,000 and theit assets nominally much larger. A compromise will undoubtedly be effected and the firm resume bush ness. RAIN IN CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, Jan. 20, 1877. The rain bas ceased throughout the State, but reports | from the South imdicate that another storm is ap- proacbing. The rainfall has amounted to from one an¢ ahalf to two inches, The storm in the mountain has subsided. ‘The snow is deep, but bar not drifted so as to imterfere with th running of trains, The rainfall has been sufficient t warrant the commencement of ploughing in the South: n counties where the crops had uot been sown, Grasses have been greatly: improved, th b where the grass 1s above gronnd, there prospect of a good yield. MIDNIGHT WEATHER REPORT. Wank DurartMeyt. OFPICR OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER, Wasuiscros, Jan, 21—1 A. SL Indications, During Sunday, in the South Atlantic and East Gulf States, higher barometer, southwesterly winds, shifting to northerly or northwesterly, colder, partly cloudy weather and occasional light rains will previ In the West Guif States, higher barometer, colder northerly winds, partly cloudy weather, occasiona’ const rains aud succeeded in the northern portion by winds shifting to warmer soatherly. For Tennessee and the Ob valley, rising followes by falling barometer, generally clear weather and colder northwesterly winds, backing to warmer ) southerly, In the upper Jake region and Upper Mississippi Vale ley, jalhng barometer, after a temporary rise, from Missouri to Michigan, westerly to southerly: winds, genorally warmer and clear or partly cloudy weather, | In the Lower Missouri Valley, falling followed by rising barometer, southeast to northwest winds, gener. ally warmer, clear or partly cloudy weather. In the lower lake region, rising, followed by falling | varometer, colder westerly winds, backing to warmel southerly and clear of partly cloudy weather, Tu the Middie and tern States, rising barometer, diminishing north to west winds, cold and generally clear weather, succeeded in tne former by winds back: | ing to southweaterly and falling barometer. . The lower Mirsissippi River will continue rising and the Ubio Without very decided change, Cautionary signals continue at Eastport, Thatcher's Island and ou the North Caroiia coust, ort! is an exceilen® THE WEATHER YESTERDAY, The following record will show the changes In the ravure tor the past twenty-four hours, in com: parison with the corresponaing dave of iwat yoar, a indicated by the thermometer at Hudoul’s pharmacy, Herato Buiiding:— Asit, Lsii. 1876, 1877. oT w6 3:30 M a a of 36 OP. M. 40 By en iw average tor | | Weekly average tor dy’ >