The New York Herald Newspaper, February 7, 1877, Page 4

~LOUISIANA. Governor Wells Again Before the : House Committee. . ' UR. FIELD'S CROSS-EXAMINATION. Refusal of the Witness to Explain the Action of the Board. | | “AM I A VASSAL OR A PEER?” ——— Denial of Littlefield’s Testimony Regarding the Vernon Parish, ——— EVIDENCE OR TER CLERES OF TER HOARD Eh Sa TERY oe | Mr, Kenner on the Alleged Two Hundred Thousand Dollar Offer. { —_—_-—— { Wasmixotox, Fob, 6, 1877. The Committee on the Powers, Privileges and Duties ‘Of the House in Counting the Electoral Vote this mora- Ang recalled Governor Wells, The cross-examinauion Mas conducted by Mr. Field, who asked the witness wnether Just before he left New Orleans,be baa a dis- @Ussion witb B. J, Barrett, « member of the Packard Legisiature, about the action of the Returning Board, nc replied be bad not . & Was anything by him as to having an inter- Yrew with GovernorNicholis? a Yes. Q Did you say, 1p the course of your convergation With Mr. Barrett, that you bad determined to make a Matement to Governor Nicholig? A. 1¢18 @ most In- famous lie @ Do you mean to say the question is an infamous Bet A. I say the substance of the question 1s a lie, Q If you would answer my question in the way a Witness’ should answer, it would be better. A. ! will pot ask your advice as to how I shall answer @ ques- tion “ The Chairman—You must answer in response to the Question. This is not a place for personal expiana- hons 4. I can dofend myself elsewhere. Q Did you state that you had determined to make a @tatement to Governor Nicholls? A No, sir, @ Did you say anything about the intervention of Mr, v. Y, Kennedy? A. 1 did not, sir; Mr. Barrett had asked me whether 1 would bave‘an interview with Governor Nicholls; I replied that | would, as Governor | Nicholls was a gentieman; Mr. Barrett made an ex- | planation tn the Legisiavure, refuting the false charges j kguinst me. The witness, in further response to questions, enid he also had a conversation with J. P. Kennedy about Ac interview with Governor Nicholls; Kennedy opened | tbe couversation and asked him whether be bad any | bdJection to an interview with Governor Nicholis, and | he replied in language similar to that in his conversa. | 1th Barrett; Kennedy suggested the interview ; doth Bar. | bien with Governor Nicholls about State matte ett and Kennedy were his political friends. Q.. Did you not state that you would inake a clean breast of it# =A. 11 ts a most infamous lie. | Q Do you meun to say that you never said to any- | body you conversed with that you intended to make a | | clean breast of 1? A. Nothing of the kind, Q What was thero in State affairs about which vou | ‘wished to have an interview with Governor Nicholls? | A. | do not know what Governor Nicholls desired, | Uerefore | cannot say; had I remained in New Or- Jeans | would have had the proposed interview with Governor Nicholls. Mr. Field read a letter datea New Orleans, January 44, 1876, and signed by Governor Wells, as follows:— | 1 am guite unwell, too much so to fill our engagement to- @ay Will inform you to-morrow relative to itstulfilment. | | / | Q Vid you take | Registration returned 76,717 Kellogg and ; ery electoral voves, also she certificate of the Return- tunidatien The witness—t decline to answer, @ Did you not know the rejection of 10,000 votes | Were they rejpeted, for any cause other than alleged tn- | t Was » part Of the Conspiracy to give the electoral vote to the party oot entitled to itt ve that tor yoursel! to answer, AL Does that conclude your question The Chuirinan—Oh, answer the question or not. Mr. Tuel We will take the vote to see if such Conduct on the part of the witness should be tolerated tn the comunittee. The Chairman—The question 1s, whether the com- mittee will require the witness to answer. Mr. Tucker—The sentence o! reprovation pul on the witness for not answering. Witness—Then | am @ vi The Chairmap—Keep order, sir. Mr. Seely remurked 14 Was unapimousiy decided this morning, so far as the authority of the committee went, (hat the witness should answer the questions. Messrs. Lawrence and Burchard concurred with Pro- eiye. . Field (to the chatrinan)—la tt not a case of con- tempt and misdemeanor under the laws of the District of Columbia for @ witness to refuse to ans tions propounded by « commitieec? The Chairman—I[ is. itness— You cannot me. Lairman—You wili be accommodated. Witness—I am willing Wo be accommodated, Mr. Fieid—The witness 18 contumacious in the high. ext degree. PHB VOTRE REIRCTED. Mr. Field then exbibited to witnesa @ statement showing the number of votes rejected in the several parishes, attested by Charlies 8. Abeil the secretary of te Keturuing Board Objection Was made to the paper. Question being taken the objection was overruled by a sirict party vote. The statement showed that the Board rejected 1,763 Kellogg and 10,280 MeKuery electoral voves, Another gaper was exhibited to the witness, also attested by Mr, Abeli, showing that the Supervisors of 515 McEn- tng Board certitying so the election of the Kellogg clectors, and that they received 75,135 voves aud that the Mcknery electors received 10,506 votes. LITTLEVIRLD’S STORY DENIED. Mr, Lawrence askec the witness whether if the return from Vernon parish, a8 carried mto the tab lated statement, Was differeut trom the original rewuro, it was done with his knowledge or approbation? The witness replied it was not, nor had he any knowledge it was done with the approbation of any other member of the Board, and he also denied whe truth of Littiefield’s statement that be directed returns to be altered #0 as to elect Hunter and Andrews, Judge and District Attornoy, They were bis personal, but not political imends, Mr. Field interrogated the witness about the papers the former bad exhibited, but witness declined to duress are you unwilling to tell the truth? Witness—i am never unwilling to tell the truth, Q Then why do you not answer? Witness—When the contempt is removed I will answer, Dut not till then. Q, You were asked just now whether you threw out ‘votes for reasons which were founded on evidence sat- istactory to yoursel!; will youanswer? A, Thatem- braces the whole question and I therefore decline, Q. Will you answer? A. | tell you [ decline, @ are you not willing to testify whether your Board threw out 10,000 odd votes, honestly or dishon- esuy? A, Lam willing when relieved from contempt of the House, Q Are you willing to do so now? A, | cannot answer the question until relieved of such contempt Q are you now beg g auswer the question whe- ther in throwing out 10,000 and odd votes your Board acted honestly or dishupestly? A. We acted in con- formity with law. Q. In throwing out votes? A. We threw them out for fraud, intimidation and violence at the poils, Q. Were any thrown out because of irregularity ? A. I think Grant parish was excluded, Any except that? A. 1 think not, Q Was there a single objection to the voteson the ground that they were not actually cast? A, None. Q. Then they must have been thrown out on the ground of intimidation? “A. Many wore forced to vote contrary to their wishes. Q Had you any witnesses beiore your Board to prove that any particular voters wero induced to vote coutrary wo their wishes? A. lt was impossible to have oral testimony. ‘The Board adopted u rule that testimony should be taken by both parties, Q Did the voters themselves testify that they voted under compulsion? Was such evidence furuished to yout A. | think 40, Q Will you say that proof was presented to you that 100 different voters had voted, under compulsion, coptrary to their judgment? A. Ido not know bow many; | think there was evidonce of the fact; thero may be 100 or 500 or more who said shey wero ‘forced to Vote contrary to their wishes, In further examination witness said 20 votes were Tejected except im conseqacnce of intimidation, and, Among other things, Mr. Field called the attention of the witness to the fact that it appeared that in the parish of Concordia, Josephs, one of the republican electors, received 1,950 votes, while in the certificate of the Returning Board he was credited with 2,538 Witness said he wrote that note, and that Kennedy ‘was to e been present at the propores Interview | with Governor Nicholls. | Witness was asked whether he did not, an hour after he w the above, send another, marked *‘Confiden- | al, follows :— | Deak Stn—After our friend Barrett bad lef our room | Shere was placed in my hands matters requiring my absence | Trom New Orleans | The witness said he expected to be back ina few days, | nd then related that he had been summoned to Wash- Ington. | Mr. Field asked a question requiring explanation of | the manner of proceeding to canvass the vote in Louis- tava DECLINRS TO ANSWER. The witness said that on Saturday he had sent a note | to the committee asking to be beard only with refer. euce to Maddox and Vernon parish, and he did not {utend to torow away bis rights as an Ameri- can citizen and be forced to answer questions ©n other subjects. He desired to answer no other Guestions whatever until the House should relieve hin trom the charge of contempt of 118 authority, When thus relieved he would feel free to answer. The Chairman reminded tho witness that he was | subpmnaed to appear, here and was expected to tell the whole truth, but he now declined to anger, and if he persisted ‘in deing 80 the witness agatn placed himeeif in contempt, and such would be the opinion Gf the committee and of the public at large. | Mr, Lawrence agreed with Mr, Seolye and the Chair. | Man that the witness should answer. | Mr. Field usked the witness several questions, among them the following, namely :— Q In cunvassing the vote of Natchitoches, were any | Irregularities discovered? | Did the Returning Board deliberately add 535 votes to five of the Hayes electors which had not been cast | for Hayes? Did you not add 574 to the votes cast for Hayes in the parish of Coucordia’ These questions the witness severally refused to | pyswer, | Ihe witness also declined to answor the question | whether 1,600 votes had not been thrown off trom the | T luen electors i tke parish of Orleans? | Q Were tnere any forged affidavits betore the Re- | Yurnitg Board? A. I decline to answer, | e that forged aflidavits be prepared? | ine to answer, Q [nayou not direct that forgsd affidavits be pre- | poured in the Vernon parish case? A. I did not ad- Sie the preparation of any forged aifidavits whatever, ‘Uther questions were propounded, but with # like wnsatisinctury result, THE NOTE TO MADDOX. Mr. Field called the attention of the witness to the ote whicb he addressed to Mr, Maddox on the 20th of Jovember as tollows'— You fully understand the situation, with wlative theruto t Mr. Field asked witness why he wrote this note to Mr Maddox, when he repiied that it was intended to be shown to the President and oguer republican friends ‘and in ofder that Mr, Maddox might have the entrée so sueb friends to explain the political condition in wa, Mr. Maddox being a public officer aud hav- been sent to Louisiana for that purpose, Witness bad also sent by Mr, Maddox a letter to the President on the same subject, drawing his attention to the tact Of ap exasperated condition of the people of the State, #0 that be might be prepared to arrest any movement militating against the Returning Gourd and to prevent fay degiractign of napers. ir, Field—-You have stated u return or destroyed a paper * | Cannot you advise at you never altered a A. Ldeciine to answer the question, The w. answer any question concerning (he action of ard until the House gave tim his liberty and relieved bit of his disability. He wanted to know whether he was the peer of any member of the committee or u vassal Mr. Knott reminded him that the obligation of tis path required tim (the witness) to answer every ques- tion put to Dim unless suct) answer would criminate bum. Mr. Welle said there was no question he bt an wer which would sudject lim to prosceution, but ne geserved bis construction as to what were his tights, Aud (he committee bud no right yo question hiw whea be was in dure @ Did you take part in any conspiracy to give we State to Tilden? A. Are yuu througli? Mr, Field—Mr, etenographer, read bim the question, The stenographer read it. Mr Wells—Ls that the fnieh of your question? Mr Tucker—Ubis is triting. Tie Chairmau—On, Mr: Wells, answer the question or decline, to wHswer, lay I say a word? rinan—Not how. 1 do not khow whother fam a vassal or a pee & peer, } should like to kuow it; if Jam a vas pal Lam forced @s & servant (o auswer your question, The Coairman—i wish, ib the Kindest it, to bring to your attention the atinude you oceuy Witness--There 14 00 gentioman ‘to whem I would Deten with more attention than yourself; bat I must wonsider iy duty. The Chairman—-! merely wished to remind you that having sworn to toll the truth, the whole truth and pothiny bus the truth, you must answer The witnexe—f will, fully. Whenever relieved of the divability imposed by the House, which holds me im oie, bawrenee asked the witness whether be decined to answer because be feared be might reouer bimself Habte to a criminal prosecution. fhe witness rophed he did got. Mr. Fieid—Wiil you explain what occupy? ‘ite witness Am | a vagal or a peer? The Churman--That bus oothing to do with yoor postion. You are ander wh obligation. to answer every question excepting, of course, suet as might wad to eriminate you. © Vie wiuens—l reserve to hn amg ee egy ae of my rights, and the committee have bo power to of 9 te enawot questions while I aim under sen- the Mouse, d—You rejected 10,000 votes and upward. | position you yotos, to which witness replied that it was in evidence that a troop of horsemen seized the ballot box trom | the Commissioners of Election, who mude up the re- turns from their count and sent them in. Mr, Field asked witness whether be did not say be- fore the Morrison committee that this happened in Madison. : Witness replied—Yes; and there was something of the kind in Concordia also. Mr. Field called the attention of the witness to the fact that while the Board, by throwing out 10,000 votes cast for the Tilden electors, gave the electoral vote for Hayes, the witness omitted to account for their act in thus giving the latter 3,000 or 4,000 ‘majority. In response to questions by Mr. Luwrence the wit- ness said the Board gave to the Hayes ticket only such votes as it was eptitied to receive; that they took no votes {rom the democrats contrary to law, ‘The committee adjourned until to-morrow. THE TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE LOUISIAN, SUB-COMMITTEE—E¥¥ORT TO BREAK DOW: LITTLEFIELD--EVIDENCE OF THE CLERKS OF THE RETURNING BOARD. Wasurxaton, Feb. 6, 1877. The House Louisiana sub-committee met to-day, at eleven o’clock, and began the investigation by the exam. ination of Charles 8, Abell, who testifled that he had re- sided in New Orleans since 1871 ; was the secretary of the late Louisiana Returning Board; knew Littteheld; re- | commended him among four as a clerk for the Board; recommended him at bis (Littleflold’s) request; there | were objections on the part of the Board to his ap. pointment, which were dispelled at witness’ solicita- tion, Senator McDonald objected to the questions on the ground that they could not call a witness to break down the previous testimony of one of their own wit- nesses, both having been called by the same party. ‘Alter some discussion it was decided to proceed with the examination, Witness continued:—From the parish of Vernon there were no returns received as from the commis- sioners; never knew of any paper from there except the consolidated statement of the Supervisor; dined with the Board on Sunday, the dd of December ; all re- turned to the oflice of the Board; Littlefield w this table; saw bim there; did not see him making. any erasures; the first intimation witness had of any lo. from the Vernon paper was trom Littlefield; after the House committee arrived Littefield wid with that he hud destroyed the Ver- non papers when the request was made tor them he said that no one bad ordered him to destroy the papers, Littietield promised to make the returns good, which he did; Was Opened in the presence of the Board and the com- imittee from the North, and examined and afterward did pot see Littlefield alterward, until be the transfer ot potls 2 ana 9 of Vernon eno effect upon the election of any published ; met bim here; parish would hi candidate, CROSS-EXAMINED. In answer to Seuator Mcbouala—Did not know Lit- Hetield until last summer; saw him nearly every day ; was in the Legislature when first went to Louisiana, {rom the parish of Brossiere; took bis seat January 1, 1871; beld the office for two years; beid the oilice of Superintendent of Education at the same time; afterward went to Now Orleans; was tirst tuspector in the Custom House; received his appoint nm (he Collector, Colonel Casey; held the office ; bad two or three hours’ work whenever o came in, which happened once In two or three ys, received tour dollars per day; Was engaged io speculating until he was apporpted Fioar Inspector was secretary of the Board in the election of 1874; has heid both offices 4inee, the pay of the clerks has been ment $12 per Jay while in Session; did not remember of Rapides parish being thrown ous in 1874 on Governor Welly’ statement THE VERNON RETURN, i received the Vernor return on the 14th of Novem- receive the returusot Vernou parish from cretary of State; such returns might have been iVed, bUL Witness never saw them, the witness ver showed Mr. anac the statement of the Com- » the Y 1 missioners of Veruon parish; never showed them to anyt bever had such papers i charge or custody; we revurns from Vernon parish were reeeved by the Bow mail und not through the office of the Seere- tary of Stave; if returns wi ot Stw would yo k cted ty tne Secrewury who would cer, them — witues would thee returus — cy frequently istered through the mail; did not se pers from Vernon except the tabulated sta e Supervisor and some affidavits, saw the latter on the desk of Mr. Green, the minute clerk; did not know that be gave the attidavits from Vernon parish to Mr. Cavanac; they ni been among the many he gave bin; Mr Cavanuc always re now not 1 think know specitying Whe paper received and irom what pa parties y aid did were Cus wae ten polis in Vernou parteh; Vernon + posed a Senatorial ui-triet; did aut j were tweluded in the judiom: ¢ Hunter was « cundiuave, but could Wber other hames; the first promulgation « tite election was the aggregate vote by paris vas made ap when the returns came in; the fomained tp Seoret KeRsion about & Week; cu mony in regard to contested pully witer the open ses sions were held; held secret sessions i the pri- vate room of the Lientenant Governor, fur- nished the Republican Visiting Comarittee the fintement of the face of the returns Uy personal request; did not remember furnishing a siatement to the otuer side; turniwhed Goveruor Palmer with the return trom Vernon parish | Part tn ary such conspiracy? & | should be | strange | from the Secretary of State’s office uno; papers, but he did not ask for the Were given to the other side he ed for; saw Judge the Board, in the secret sessions; did not know that he 5 had pot seen bim in consultation with republicans, 4 LARGE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY. The tabulated statement that was shown to the re- same facilities te him with all for the cap visitors showed @ democratic ma- fois, but it did not include all returos, knot . M. J, A Jewout, he is @ United States Commis- sioner. Witness was shown certain affidavits, and stated he did not recognize them; had never seen them be. fore; when the House committee were asking for afi- davite they were furnisbea wah all they desired; originals were turnished in al! cases, witness believes; don’t know that the committee were retused sight of originais; don’t kuow that the origina! alidavits in the Vernon case were refused to the commit tee; was ats dinneratthe ‘Foor ” restaurant; 18 cost the republican committee $40 of more, wine and cocktails were drank; that was the night beiore the Board began their sessions; the clerks baa no chance to go home to dinner, and witness got the State Committee to stand treat; the dinner lusted an hour and halt one was the worse for the winca and the cocktails; quit work that oight a midnight; \nought that the bili for the dinner was paid by wit. pess before the pares left she saloon, Littlefield might bave been present when the Dill was paid, cer- Utied to 178 votes tor the republicans trom Vernon parish, having tuli confidence im she clerks; at that time knew nothing about the ‘transposition of the votes; the copy that Littlefield made waa puton file by witness; there was no statement made ‘that the original had been destroyed or iost, but ine paper purported to be a correct copy of the original, Baw the copy last about the let of January; when he gare the House committee a copy {i was certified as a correct copy of the statement on file im the oifice; Lit- tlefield wus stillon she Board when witness told bim to make & copy of the Vernon return, but he left days alter; Littletield told witness to say nothing about 1, but he tod the Board she next morning; Littlefield was not seen by witness aiterward; -sup- ed he had gone to see hia father, who was sick in ston, and carried him on the pay roila for several days. By Senator Saulsbury—The changes in the Vernon retdrn were made before the 25th of ber; did not state to the Senate committee that the Vernon return was a copy of a copy, supposed i Was the true Feturn, ag 1} was copied Irom a blotter, By Senator Wadleigh—Did not know of any changes Until so mformed by Little! tbe compiling of re- turns in the office was done by the clerks calling them off from one to another, and Littlefield or any other clerk could faisity returns by calling off false figures, i THSYIMONY OF THK CHIRP CLERK. Judge Davis was examined by Senator Wadleigh and testified that he was chief clerk in the office of the tate Hoturning Board; knew Littlefeld; did not see ' him saiking with Governor Wells or making any era first beard of any change in the returne when he read it tm the papers; investigated baw thut tbe Vernon ru bad been changea, could not find the original; Littiofeid said fret 1 was gone, iterward destroyed, reported the fact ordered to complete the pa- pers in the office; witness furnished ali the data for the required copy that be could tnd tp the office; Lit- tlefleld said they agreed with the original; Litiefeld made the copy which was filed with tne other re- turns; Littlefield did not give any notice of bis going way; learned from Mr. Woodward tnat ne had re- celveda telegram from big tathor up North tothe effect that he was dying; generally Littlefield calied off the figures to be copied, andit he so desired he could falsity the roturus; there wag no opportunity for re- viewing the work; the change ©! votes in polls Nos 4% and would alfect’ no candidates the papers purporting to be Commissioner: statements were not regarded ag authentic, as they had been recerved by the Secretary of State ; 1p the data forwarded by witness didn’t re- memver whether anything was wanting ip polls 2 and, 9; Littlefield said the Commissioner’s report and the consolidated statement, with the exception of two notes, agreed, | ‘By ‘Senator Saulsbury—Witness didn’s compare them; the consolidated statement came to the office ed, but the Commissioner's statement came with a letter from the Becretary of State; the consolidated statement was considered the autnentic one; if the source of the Commissioner’s report bad been known it would have been considered better authority than the consolidated statement; the two votes that wero wanting were not put in, but were rejectod, The witness tirst made inquiries about the Vernon return, having read abvut the false 178 republican votes; Littlefield did not say the paper had been de- stroyed by instruction; he iptormed only Mr, Abell, the secretary of the Board; the dutiss of tho witness as chief clerk were to supervise the work of the clerks; he supervised the tubulation of the returns and as- sisted in footing up the columns; on the last day of the canvass he looked the work over, as far as possible, to verify it; the canvass was made up from the super- vigors’ returos after comparison and verification with the reports of the Commissioners and the tally sheets; the canvass and compilation in Vernon parish was mado from the supervisors’ returns alone, because there was nothing else that was authentic to verily by; in the instance of the consolidated return of Vernon parish wituess remembers it was received from the mail carrier, although the same was directed to the Secretary of Stat here were sometimes lees due on packages which carriers bad to come to the board room to reccive; don’t remember that any tees were collected on the package received from Vernon parish; witness remembers it wus brought by a car- rier ag he would remember almost any circumstance ; the returns were registered as they came in, and vum- bered for easy relerence; there was no ontry mado in the case of this Vernon return received from the Secretary of State. KFPECT OF THE TRANSPOSITION, Ifthe returns from Vernon had been promulgated as received from the supervisors the other candidates for District yeas and District Attorney would have been declared elected; tue transposition of the 178 votes would change the result, orthe same result would have been atinined by throwing out the polls which were transferred; the affidavits. in the Vernon parish case witness knows Were never recoived with the returns; the witness does not know how those affidavits came there; they were there im a pigeon hole before th» vote was promulgated; the copy of the affidavits in the caso of this parish’ may have beon made in the oilice of the Boar the original were not withbeid from the cler! making them; the original Vernon altidavits were copied for tho House committee by the clerks of the Bourd; there were eight clerks of the Hoard employed by thi House committee in addition to the eight clerks sent there by the House committee to copy the aflidavita and proofs; they were all under the supervision of the Secretary of the Board; the Houso clerks did not see the originals of the affidavits in the Vernon case; if the Commissioners’ statements of Vernon par- ign baa been deemed authentic they could have been used in verifying the return made by the supervisors, und it was more favorable to the repub- Heaps t turn in that the super- visors’ return left off two votes lor tie republican electors; 80 tar as witness Knows no one had anything to do with the alteration of the Vernon return bat Littlefield. TESTIMONY OF COMMISSIONER JEWRTT. S. J. M, A. Jewett was sworn, und stated that he ro- sides in N Orleans iu United States Commis. sioner; as such Commissioner the witnese took tha aflidavits of jour persons in relation to Ve on the 14th and 16th of appeared and wok the customary oath betore witnes: alter they were made, ua secretary of the Executi Committee; there was an understanding that the pe son taking the first testimony of a paris should onish it, and on the 19sh of November these allidavits were forwarded to the Board by & messenger named Joe; Witness saw the messenger inaide the door dt the Board room. By Mr. Saulsbury—Wituess did not persouaily know either of the parties making the allidavils relerred to there was an arrangement with several gentlemen Assist Witness in tuking Lestimouy for the repaviican: don’| Know whether those parties resided in Vernon; they appeared to be illiterate persons, and three of them were colored men ; their names were Tom Brown, Samuel Carter, Samuel! Collins and Robert Strong; Joe, the messenger sent with the affidaviis tothe Returning Board, was a messenger of Governor Kellogg. By Mr. McDonala—Witness doe? not know whether he wrote the affidavits im the Veruon caso; was one of the advising parties und official counsel of the republican party; alter the arrival of the several committees of Congress at New Orleans witness aud bis conferees also acted as coun- sei of the republican candidaies, wituess remembers that certain gentlemen were present at New Orleans representing the republican party during the canvass of the vote, he did not know those gentiemea person. ally, but did become acquainted with Mr, Hale, of | Maine; the returus were promulgated by the Board about ten or twelve days alter the witness sent the ailidavits in the Vernon case to the Board; witness does not know Why those sflidavits were not putin the report tnade by the Sherman committee; witness iwaued circulars to the Stute Supervisors of Registration, KXPLANATION OF A CIRCULAR. The attention of the wituess wag culled to » printed circular, wuich he stated he wrote and addressea to many of the Supervisors of @lection, in which they were required to make tho registration so full as to tue sure republican majorities, und told that if they did so Sheir reward would mple and generous = { wile ness slated that be meant tuat their rewurd would de the same as the agents of Nicholls woulg receive if his side should win; there were severat oCralic supervisors in the Stace; peruups as many ay ten out . ONT Wilies# would vot Answer that there many With) attention wis called 9 the fact that int affidaviug swWorthto by Co lud the alllant ewore that he wus a resident, but Hol « registered voter of Vernon parish, avd said jt dic not rcrke bin ax at ail singular that u mun who, by bis oWn statement was not a voter, should come forward to taake an alidavit, witness has seeu tue returns of Vernon parish, with the accom- pauying afliduvits, wince the four original affidavits passed out of witness’ hands, Fhe witness explaiped at length the manuer of regis- toring voters and the legni requirements counected therewith, fhe committees, at a quarter past four o’ciock, ad- | jourued tll to-morrow morning al ten o'clock. ipled for the papers be received, | rt ee MB. KENNER'S DENIAL OF GOVERNOR WELLS’ 1R8TIMONY—A REQUEST FOR TWO HUNDKED THOUSAND DOLLARS INSTEAD OF A REFUSAL, \ Wasuixotos, Feb. 6, 1877. The Washington Union publishes the following this moroing — N Ontwans, Pod, 5, 1877, ‘The following correspondence took place to-dny -— Wasnixatoy, D. C,, Feb. 5, 1877. Doxcay ¥. Kenxen, New Urienins; Wells testiti oday thats you offered $200,000 to change the vote for Tiiden. EB, A. BURKE. ‘ob. 5, 1877, New Onewans, Washington cunt in the money. If deemed ry, 1 ewn come w W ushiogi D.¥. KMNNGK, rom ; the legislative controversies in which they had been i i PROCEEDINGS OF CONGKESS. THE PACIFIC RAILROAD INDEBTEDNESS—DE- BATE IN THE SENATE—THE PRESIDENT'S VETO OF THE DISTRICT POLICE BILL 6US- TAINED—THE DEFICIENCY BILL I THE HOUSE. Wasntxoron, Feb. 6, 1877. At the expiration of the morning hour the Senate re- sumed consideration of the unfinished business, being the billto amend.the Pacific Ratlroad act so as to create a sinking tund for liquidation of the indebted- ness to the government of the Pacific Railroad Com- pany. SPERCR OF MR, MITCHCOCA Mr. Hitcuoock, of Nebraska, spoke tn opposition the bill reported by the Judiciary Committce. He re- ferred to the advantages which had been enjoyed by the country op account of the construction of the Pacific Railroad, and said that prior to 1862 ‘the transportation of mails and munitions of war in the West cost the government $1,300,000 per annsm, while the whole amount of interest it now paid on the Pacific Railroad amounted to but $3,800,000 per an- num. The people of this country never expected that the bonds loaned to the Pacific Ratiroad companies would be paid except by transporting mails, &c., ior the government, in support of his argument he quoted extensively from the debates in Congress when the original act was passed, He contended that the bill reported by the Judiciary Committee proposed a new contract, a differ- ent one irom that which the country offered to the capitalists to build this road when it wag in dan- ger of losing its Pacific possessions He did not be. Nove the American people desired a bill of this kind to pass, It violated the contract of the government and could not be justified. The American people did not require their representatives bere to enact such a measure in their name, Mr. Bourwx.n, of Massachusetts, said he on!y pro- posed to discuss some ot the iegal points involved in the bill reported by the Judiciary Committee. He quoted from the Pacific Railroad acts, and denied thas Congress had power to alter and amend them at pleasure There were some things which the Legislative power wag not com- erent to do. If these ruilroad corporations ad done the things they promised to do the govern- ment wag bound to do the things it prot to do, The government not only agreed to issue its bonds, bus agreed to wait a certain time for their payment, and the bill reported by the Judiciary Committee meant that they should be paid at anothor time than that contemplated tn the original act, SPEKCH OV MR. OONKLING. Mr, CONKLING, Of New York, said he regretted that su maby Senators were absent while the discussion was in progress, There were urgent reasons for some legislation in regard tothe Pacitic Railroad indebted. ness. First—The United States desired and should have indemnity {or the past and security tor the tuture, Second—The manugers ofsthese large roads should be allowed to address themselves to the thorough manage- ment of their roads, and should be dismissed (rom as. tendance at Washington to defend themselves againgt engaged for years, Third—It was desirable that Congress should be acquitted of this subject, which for years had con- sumed 80 much time. He then read irom a decision of Judge Grier, of the United States Supremo Court, to the effect that when the government became @ partner in a trading corpo- Fution 1t aivested itself of ite sovereign character and became ag an individual. Resuming bis argument, be said it had been stated over ang over again that these roads were in default mn their payment to the govern- ment, If such default did exist, it woula go tar to justify the use of extreme power by Congress; but if the default did not exist, there was scarcely founda- tion or footing tor such a Dill as that reported by the Judiciary Commitice, The Supreme Court bad upani- mously decided that there never bad been a right on the partot the United States to exact or c:aim the in. terest on the bonds loaned to the Pucific railroad cor panies as it matured; tut on the maturity of the bonds, and not ull then, would the claim of the United Stutes for interest begia. Henextreférred to the provision ot law requiring the roads to pay into the ‘lreasury five per cent of their net carnings, and said Congress bad authorized sutts to be instituted to determine whatthe net earings were, Judgment had been e tered in favor of the stand taken vy the companies, and the case, having been appealed, was now on its way to the Supreme Court, it proper for Con- by a legislative act to adjudicate a question now before the courts? A great goverument should not put itself in the attitude which an individual would not be allowed to occupy. To do so would be a blunder, Mr. Gorpow, of Georgia, then took the floor, with the understunding that he would proceed with his romarks to-morrow, and the bill was then laid aside intormally, with tho understanding that 16 should be the untinisbed business to-morrow. Mr. AuLIgoN, of Iowa, gave notice that he would call up the Indian Appropriation vill at the expiration of the morning hour to-raorrow. Mr. Wesr—It you can get +! ‘on the will of the Senate. THE DISTRICT POLICE BOARD, Mr. IvGauus, of Kani suid the bill abolishing the Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners of the District of Columbia, with the Preside: voto, was lyimg upon the table, the committee having recom- mended that it be passod notwithstanding tne objec- tions of the President thereto. 1t was exceedingly imporiant that that matter should be determined one ‘way or the other, At present the police force of the District was demoralized. Mr. Warts, of ‘yland, said that, as a member of the committee to frame a permanent lorm of govern- ment for the District of Columbia, be was satisfied that the police should be under control of the District Com- missioners, Ho agreed with the Senator trom Kansas (Mr. [ngalis) that the bill should be acted on now, Mr. INGaLLs said the police force was demoralized on Account of the uncertainty as to how it was to be governed, In.a short timo there would be a great influx of persons to this city to witness the inaugura- tion of Governor Hayes—(laughbter on the democratic side)—and there should be an efficient police force to protect lite and property. Mr. ALLISON, of Towa, sald he saw no use tn passing this bill now over the veto of the President, the whole pergonnel of the Police Board had been changed within the past few weeks, Mr. Mexeruson, of North Carolina, said there were two or turee heads to the District government First, there were the Disirict Commissioners, then a health board, a police board and a board to govern the Fire Department, He thought tt would be much better to have all under the District Comnussioners. ‘The subyect was further discussed by Messrs. Logan, Wright, Merrimon and othe nd the question being, Shall the bill pass notwitnstanding the objections of the President thereto? {t was decided in the nega- tive—yeas 384 nays 22—two-thirds not voting in the affirmative floor, That depends THR VOIR, ‘The vote in detail was as follows :— Ykas—Mossri Chaffee, C Bogy, Booth, Deuuls, Eason, onaid, Maxey, Merrimon, adieign, Wallace, Whyte ‘and Withers ~33, Nays—Messrs, Allison, Brice, Burnside, Christianey, Clay tou, Conkling, Conover, Cragin, Perry, [itehcoek, In: Loxan, MeMiilan, Mitéhell, Paddock,’ Pattersoa, Sur- ‘| herman, spencer, West, Windom and Wright—22, The SxNate then, at twenty minutes to five, went into executive stsson, and when the doors were re- opened took a rcces until Jen o'clock to-morrow, Mel rt HOUSE OF BEPRESENTATIVES, . Wasuisatox, Feb. 6, 1877, The House, at ten minutes past twelve o’clock, went into Committee of the Whole (Mr. Eden, of !!linois, in the chair) on the Deficiency Appropriation bill. Mr. WatoRox, (rep.) of Mich, stated that the bill appropriated $1,417,000, The two largest appropria- tions were one of $500,000 for deficiency in the Navy Department, and one of $217,000, appropriated for pensions to soldiers who have lost a limb ‘The bill was then read by sections, Mr. Warrtuorsn, (dem.) of Tenn., oftered an amend- ment directing the accounting officers of the Treasury to adjust and settle the accounts of officers of the navy on the active list, whose pay may bave been Aflected by the general order of the Secretary of tho Navy No, 216, since the 1st of seprember, 1§76, on the basix of waiting orders pay. He expinined that that order had placed on furlough pay many of the oflicers of the aavy. Furlough pay has always been held as a badge of disgrace in the navy, and he did not think that the House jast year had intended to put it in the power of the Secretary of the Navy to diagrace and punish whatever officers he should see fit, Mr. Haus, (rep.) of Me., defended the Secretary of nd thought that no tora diame attached to him, but that any biarne there was belonged w the House, which had go cat down th propriations that the Secretary bad been compelled to do what he bad done, A long discussion ensted, which wag dik aud erteed in by Mr. Blount, of Georgia; Mr. Springer, of Llimois, Mr. Clymer, or Penusyivania, Mr. Dantord, of Ohio, and Mr. Hale, of Maine, Mr, RaxpaLs, (dem,) of Pa,, said that the prediction made last year by the minority of the Hous as the reductions made by the bin yy in the expenses of tue government would cripple the administration of the government had not Veen realized ip any material instance, Hud it notbeen for that econotny the de- ficiencies tn the revenues and receipts of the govern- ment would have amounted to $40,000, 000, Mr. Fostau, (rep.) of Ohio, said be would like to know on what basis tho genticman trom Pennsylvania made that statement. Mr. Raxbati— We saved $30,000,000 becau: did uot allow you to have that much to spend. Mr. Fostex denied that the House Nad saved that much The offle had been saved, provided for it would be found that the democratic | Congress had not made a8 lurge @ reduction us the re- publiesn Congress bad tmade in previous years, Alter farther discussion the amendment was adopted, Mr. Weis, (dem.) of Mo., offered un amendment for the payment of $1,500 to W. H. BE if St. Louis, tor services as Assistant United States Attorney in the 0 Lae, loog a recess til ton A. MM, to-mo: “whiskey cased’ Adopted. Without disposing of the bill the committee ri The House then, at forty-Ave minut NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1877.—TRIPLE SHEET. THE NEW UNITED STATES SENATE, | MAKING BUSINESS OF PRAYER LisT OF MEMBERS TO COMPOSE THE SENATS aFTER THE 4TH oy MaxcH, 1877. Republicans, 89; democrats, 85; independents, 2; vacancy, 1; totai, 76 The figures before each name tndicate the year in which the Senator's term will ex- pire, Those who were Senators during the term of the Forty-tourth Congress are marked with o star (*) ‘The seat of Eustis, democrat, of Louisiana, will be contested by William Pits Kellogg, republican, and that of M. C, Butior, democrat, South Carolina, by D. . Corbin, republican, The vaecaucy held to exist 1D Lous for the term endi in 1879, haw not been filed by the democratic Legislature of the State, but James Lewis bus been chosen tor the place by the | Packard Legislature :— ALABAMA. MrssissiPPL | and Mary Burns, | umber reported the preceding week and 114 loss than B. K Bruce. RB 1879° G. E. Spencer. 188 1881 L. QC. Lamar....D 1883 J. T. Morgan. KANSAS, SKW JERSEY. 2881° T. P. Randoiph...D 1883 J. R McPherson..D NRW TORK. 1683* H; M. Teller CONNROTICUT, 1979" W. H. Barnum 1881* W. W. Eaton, DELAWARE. 188° T, F. Bayard, 1883® £, Saulsbur; NEBRASKA. 1881" A. S, Paddock, 1883 A. Saunders... NORTH CAROLINA. 1879* A, 3. errimon.,,D 1883" M. W. Ransom.,..D oo, . 1879* J. Sherman.. R; 1 1881* 4. G, Thurman...) ORKGON. 1879 J. H, Mitchell, 1883 L. B. Grover PENNSYLVANIA, 1879* 3. Cameron. . ILLINOIS, 1879% R. J. Ogiesby..... 1683 David Davis. , INDIAMA, 1879 0. P. Morton. 1881* J. B. McDonal iowa * 1879* W. B. Allison. , 1833 S.J, Kirkwood, RANsas. 1870* Jobn J, Ingalls... 1683 P. B. Plumb, KENTUCKY. 1879" T C. MeCree: 1883 James B. Bee! LOUISIANA, 1879 (Vacancy.) 1883" J. B. Eustis. MAINE. 1881 H, Hamlio 1883° J. G. Biain MABYLAND. 1879 G. KR, Denne 1881° W. P. Whyte MASSACHUBRTTS, 1881° H. L. Dawes......8 1883 George F. Hoar..R. maicioas 1831* 1, P. Christiano 1688° T. W. Ferry.. MINNESOTA, 1881* 8, J. R. McMiNan..R 1883* William Windom..R POVERTY'S STIPEND. SOUTH CAROLINA. 1879* J, J. Patterson. 1883 -M. C. Butler, TENNRSSRE 1881 J. E. Bailey 1883 1. G, Harris. VARMONT, 1879° J. 3. Morrill. 1881* G. F. Edmund: VIRGINIA, 1881* R. &. Withers 1885* J, W. Jolnson. WRST VIRGINIA, 1881 F, Heretord. 1888* H. G, Davi 180 1879* T. 0, 1881" A. Camoron ee tS bo ee wb to te ke te bh 4 LITTLE GIRL 8UES A WEALTHY FIRM FOR THREE DOLLARS AND TWENTY-FOUR CENTS, WHICH SHE WORKED 4 WHOLE MONTH TO EARN. Now and then the petty civil courts are the thoatre of strange social dramas whose plots reveal many of the darker shades of life m this great city, The suit of listle Sarah Mackrell, aged thirteen years, for $3 24, tsa cage in point, Little Sarah brings an action in the First District Court, before Judge Callahan, against Messrs, Randall & Tomlinson, bookbinders, for the amount stated, and {t represonts the result of ber labor from December 23 to January To ex- plain the smaliness of the amount it will be Decessary to relate the methods of this enterprising orm. le appears that ny advertises for giris to learn the trade of book tolding, Ail applicants are compelled to remain seven weeks and work tor nothing during that time. From fifty to seventy gir nd the amount ot gratuitious work obtatped from them is very consider- able. At the end of seven weeks the girls are gradu. atod into journeywomen, and are paid three cents per 100 for svitcoing. They earn from six to twenty-seven conts a day, and find it hard to get even that pittance when tt {g earned. It appears that non-payment jg not the only peculiarity of the firm. ly adopted, it is alleged, the profit lan of never paying the odd cents, thus, nee, ifa girl makes $8 20, $3 30, $3 60, $3. 70 or $3 95 a month, she is only paid the even $3, Ellon Haggarty, aged thirteen years, roman 4 obtained a Judgment agai the firm for $7, which has been ap+ ealed, and Bella Viedeman obtained a judgment for 2, which was paid, with costa, In the Second District Court, betore Judge Clancey, the following girls have brought suit against the firm:—Sareh J. Paterson, aged sixteen years, for $37 09; Doha McCarthy, aged eighteen years, for $70, aged teu yours. for $7 20. The last mentioned girl wag at work nearly four woeks for the sum mentioned. Judgment was given against the fr in all three cases, for in DOMESTIC DIFFICULTIES, WHY MORRIS DOYLE BEAT HIS WIFE AND WILL- | IAM KODERMAN LEFT HIS, When Morris Doyle, of No. 259 Tenth avenue, was brought before Justice Otterbourg, at the Washington Place Court, on the complaint of his wife Mary, ne vebemently cried:— \ “Judge, she hot me with the tea kittie twicat before I struck her.’” As he weighed about 220 pounds, and Mrs. Doyle would scarcely have turned the balance of a fifty pound scales, a smile of incredulity spread over His Honor’s face, the more 80 as Mrs, Doyle's couute- nance was well marked with scars aud bruises. ‘Let me know how it bapvened,"’ said the Court, Mrs. Doyle—“He came home drunk and without a word of provocation struck me and knocked me down. have my marks to show tor ‘0 doubt of it,” aid His Honor, “your face re- 's picture of the Slave Ship. ‘The Jonger you look at it the greater a mystery it becomes, Have you anything to effer in excuse for beating your wite “Sho wanted to make my supper at ton o'clock at night, and I told her she couldn't do it, when, as I sald betore, sho bot me with the kittle her. “You're held in bail for trial at Special Sessions, Mr. Doyle, aud when you get there I'll attend to your case.’* CASSI® RODEKMAN DESKRTED. The next case was that of Willian Roderman, a gi fitter, living at No. 60 Carmine street, charged by his wife ‘Cassie with abandoning her. She said that he turned ber out of the house on the night uf the 10th of November last. He claimed sbe left of her own accord, When he supplemented this statement with the information that he had always given her every cent he made working for Archer & Pancoast, she ex- Then I struck Judge, ho didn’t even pay the marriage tees.” | Roderman said, “Why should I support her if she | wou’t live with me and otherwise bolds not to the sanctity or Her ‘riage vow?" “Prove it, prove it,” said Mra Roderman, “Silence,” said the Cour, “This hasn't anything to do with the case. She’s your wife until you gota divorce, and you'll have to pay her $2 a week.” OUR CITY'S HEALTH | REGULAB WEEKLY MEETING OF THE BOABD OF HEALTH. There was not anything remarkable done at tho regular weekly meeting of the Board of Health yester- day afternoon. A communication from Drs. Nagle and | Day, of the Vital Statistics and Sanitary bureaus, in ro- Jation to the deaths of six infants since last August in the nursery or “lying in’ establishment at No. 149 Charles streot wag not acted upon, A full account of the mysterious affair will be found in another column. | ‘The Board passed a resolution calling for the trans- | mission of the following notice to parents whose chil- drea attend she public schools:—'*You are required to keep your children from ool during that time from the commencement of disease dntii the sick person has passed the stage of ‘disquaamation’ in measles and scarlot (over and of desiccation in Vvariols and in diph- theria antl the physician states that the sick person 18 tree from the disease and until the room and cloth- ing of said person have been disiniected,* The following ts a synopsis of the weekly report of Dr. John T. Nagle, deputy register of records, to the Board of Health Daring the week onding Saturday, February 8, 1877, there were 452 bg reported as iDg occurred in | this city, being an increase of 11 mpared with the | were reported during the corresponding week of the ear 1876, The actual mortality for the week ending January 27 was 460, which 1s 62.4 below the average mortality for the corresponding week of the past five ey and represents an angual death rate of 2234 per as al 8 living, the population estimated ut 1,070,857 ‘The number of deathe for the wook ending February 8, resulting {rom diflerent diseases, were as follows: Smalipox, 1; measies, 1; souriatina, 21; diphtneria, 15; membranous croup, 8; whooping cough, 0, typhoid fover, 2; puerperal dischses, 8; diarrhaal diseases, 1; eancor, 9; phthisis pulmor i, 17; bronchitis, 24; pneumonia 40; heurt diseases, 18; all diseases of the brain and nervous system, 46; Bright's digeuse and nephitis 19; deaths by de, 4; deaths by drown. ing, 1. Of the tov! num hs reported for the week, 18 occurred 11 Institutions, 123 In houses con- taining three families and less, in Lonement houses, 6 in hotels and boarding houses and the balance in atrcets; rivers, on canal boats, & The following is'a comparative statement of cases of contagious disease reported at tho Sanitary Bureau for the two weeks ending February 3, 1877:— - Fels & hold fever. 6 Starlet tove 66 Cerobro-spinal meningitis, Hi “e EARNEST APPEALS FOR GRACE BY MEN OF TEE “WORLD, The revival exercises going om in the John sireet Methodist Episcopal enurch are now under gratifying headway. The movement 19 under tne direction of well known downtown business men, merchants, bankers; brokers and others, and hae succeeded beyond expectation, ‘The meetings tu the John street church commenee at half-past three P.M. Yesterday there way a good attendance at that hour, among the number several ladies. The appearance of the congrogation was re- spectable and reverent. Many features showed that there was inward trouble that required a soothing baim to allay it The exerci were led off by Brother H. Smith, of Broad street, bauker, who gave out the congregation joining m ‘she singing, ‘Then followed o@ prayer by the leader, and more hymn singing, with melodeon accompaniment. The reading of a chapter tn the Bible foliowed, and ite meaning was interpreted to the audience, ‘*!nere ts more joy in heaven over one sinner who repenteth,” &o, The meeting was then declared open for business. Praying and sj me, under « five minute rule, follo A good looking, middle aged gentieman, with biack whiskers, inter. spersed with gra; the first to offer prayer. It was of the usual rovivi rt, less the extravagance o: language common to such efforta An elderly gentleman, with a high, intellectual look ing forehead, with a backgreund of silver gray, de cluredetbat the devil had been claiming him for a long time, but he bad finally obliged Satan to take a Back seat He was now going to work 19 earnest tor the Lord—to make a business of it, ‘This spirit was encouraged by the leading brother, who eaid if others would follow biy brother's exam- ple and make a-business of the work of grace, would not be room enough around the altur to aecom- modate those who would seek the waters of salvation, Several brethren expressed contrition. One, with a icely trimmed black beard, averred that some of bis friends who had seen him walking about the streets only afew days ago would scarcely credit their eyes if they could see him here aiding this holy work. He was not now, thank God, idly promenadiug Broadway, but he was bere treading the highway of holiness, for “right here 1s the pathway of holiness,” He wished others could realize the happy feeling that now pos sessed him. Anotber elderly brother prayed that those in trouble would look to the Lord Jesus Christ and He would help them. A long gray-bearded brother, venerabie with and wrinkles, deciared that be was very glad to be there. He referred to those old and bappy revival times when the late Mayor James Harper worshipped in this place ftand lavored in the vineyard of the Lord for the good of his fellow beings, ‘The spirit now began to move in sundry places all over the house; venerable brethren could be seen ris- ing up and in the fulness of surcbarged hearts con- fessing their sinfulness and praying for forgiveness. Many requests to be prayed for were presented and it appeared uecessary that the supplications usked for sbould cover a very wide range. fhe excitement was getting up to fever heat, ‘Come now, come now to the Saviour, 3 6ung In thrilling tones, Tears gath- ered in many eyes, apd several who tor years past, probably, only thought of getting a corner on the devil, were now to be soon bulliug the evangelical market, Several prayers breathing a true and contrite spirit were uttered, and after the doxology and a benedic- thon the congregation rose aud adjourned to meet at the same piace at half-past three this P. M., when the junior members of the firm of H. K. Thurber & Co, ‘will Jead in the exercises, MISSIONARY EFFORTS. 4& mission waa commenced in the Protestant Epis eopal Free Churen of St. Ambrose, corver Prince and Thompson streets (the only one in the Eighth ward), on Sunday evening, and will be continued until Friaay. Ibis to be conducted by the Rev. J. E. Johnson the firss dive nights and closed on Friday ovening by the Vory Rev. Dr. Seymour. Its object is to awaken a more Irvely interest in this church and bring together many of its former members, The Rev. G. D. Guon is 118 present rector, being the fourth since the death of the Rev. F. Sill (about two years since), who pur- ehased the property for the parish for avout 316,000 (ita value being at icust $40,000), paying for the same. with a mortgage to that amount, ‘his church ta situated in a densely populated but poor neighborhood, consequently the yearly interest of this sum js seri- ously felt in carrying on the work During the twé yeara named, however, a new vestry room has been duilt, a schoolroom made and the debt reduced at a cost of some $2,C00. MINISTER ORDAINED, a bymn, a A large congregation gatvered last night tn the Fifty- third street Baptist church to witness the ordination of Mr. Melancthon C. Lockwood, a tormer member of the church. Tho services were opened with praver by the Rev. Dr. Osborne, Then tollowed the sermon of Dr. Armitage, which was @illea with words of encour- agement for tho new minister. Tue ritual of the or- dination services was performed, alter which the hand of fellowship was extended to the new candbdate, the charge to Hun on entering updh his duties was read and Mr. Loonwoos was duly proclaimed a minister of the Baptist Chureh. The recipient of this honoris @ young man, twenty-four years of age, of siout build and rather above the medium height. He has been brought up in thts city, ana was formerly a member of the congregation of the Fifty-third street church, but the buiiding 1s now occupied by the Grace Baptist church. Dr, J. 5. Kennard, the pastor of the latter church, was unable to be present at the services lust night. There were, however, proseat, besides those already mentioned, Drs. J. 5. Eider, of the Madison avenue church; Dr. W. P. Clapp, chairman of tha Council, who decreed Mr. Lockwood's ordination, aad many others. HOOKS AND EYES. A DANGER PEDESTRIANS MAY AT ANY TIME EN- COUNTER. An inquest was held yesterday by Coroner Woltman on the vody of John Henkel, who diod from the effects of injuries received on December 16 (rom a meat book suspended in front of Freuerick Pfuger’s grocery store, at the corner of Sixth stroet and Second avenue, From the evideuce it appears that Henkel, who wasa sover, industrious man, was hurrying home on the night of the dent, which was a dark, gust} one, when, as he passed beneath across piece in front of the store, he was struck in the eye by a hook sus- ended therefrom. Dr. Krause was called to attend im, and toand that the tron point had penetrated the eye and reached the brain. Aftor Ingering im great pain, with occasional Intervala of relief, Henkel ex. pired on Monday, The hooks, which were of galvanized iron, euch having five or six prongs, were attached by a rope to the awning frame, and remained st pended there until yesterday, when the proprietor of the place, alarmed by the report ‘of Henker's death, had them removed. The jury’s verdict was that “John Henkel oame to bia death from injul received by being caught by a hook iniront of & store, corner of Sixth street and Second aven the 16th of last December, from which he died ‘ebru- 'y Sand we censure Frederick Piluger, the owner of id store, for allowing hoeks to hang in front of it, we also recommend that the attention of the ‘oper authorities be called to the fact that the same ind that tho hanging of pertexists in other, places, r the sidewalk be pro- books im front of stores hibitea. "" THE VAN KIRK SUICIDE. Ab inquest on the body of Garritt C. Van Kirk, whe committed suicide at No. 59 Prospect place, revealed | that he hag been at intervals subject to fits of moijan- choly, during which he has spoken of taking his life. On the night of the occurrence he went to the min strels with his brother-in-law, Gideon C. McDowell, and, according to the latter's testimony, was in good Spirits when they reached home. Hoth ‘slept tn the same bed, and toward morning McDowell was aroused by the discharge of a pistol, and, starting up, found ‘an Kirk lyimg beside him, breathpg bard, “What is the matter??? McDowell acked, “| have shot myself, Gid,’? returned the other, “shot yourselt? Good Goa, why did you do that? “Oh, IF coula stand tt no longer," was the auswer, and when McDowel! arose and drow back the clothes he found that Van Kirk was covered with biood from @ wound in the abdomen, Aid was summoned, out the wufortunate nan was dead belore it could be of any, service to him. Lydia A. Taylor, who keeps the boarding house where the suicide was committed, stated that Garritt had spoken to her often about killing bimselt and had strange periods of inelancholy for which no one could account. ‘The jury rendered a verdict in accordance with tho facta THE ICEPIOK SUICIDE, An inquiry was made yesterday into the cause of tho death of John Seoger, of No, 498 Ninth avenue. His stepdaughter testified to having left him on the night of bia death apparently in the enjoyment of good health and spirits; but on going to her room she was alarmed by the sound of some one falling in the store velow, and @ Momentafter the cries ot her mother summoned her toa corner near the countel Seeger was lying with his bead in her mot and the blood trickling trom a wound in his lest breast By his side lay an icepick covered with blood, Mre. Seeger stated that her husband had gone into the store to attend to something prior to retiring tor tho might, She was in an adjoining room awaiting him when sho heard tho scales rattle as if he had stumbled over them, Picking up alamp she hurried into w lace Just a8 Seeger stumbled backward and fell atl lect, She fancied be had only tainted at first, and calling for her daughter she put ner nand upon his heart to tee! if 1t was beatin, The handle of the ice- pick met her touch, and in the horror of the moment she shrieked tor aid and drew out the weapon from the wound, A doctor was sent for at once, but the pick had reached Seeger’s heart and bis death was instan- taneous Dr, Donnelly, whe was called in, found the two shirts of the deecased wnbuttoned and drawn back, ie cere was underneath, but they were unpunc- ure Tho jury rondered a verdict of suicide b; tab bbe bosom with an icepick, ion 15 SP Seen, SETS, “¢