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ft TtRMS OP THE TRIBUNE- »at»« or »rrficnif'TJos trAT*iu.* m aotahc*). I'oHtnffj' I'rrjuild nt tl»l« Office*, juilT Fillll iti,l mr 818.00 l’nr!« i f jr-»r at •aran mte. VMlr.l |n any r.dilrr-* vucn wfe*« for 1.00 I uitlt T l.tloiar)- anil IC'llgloai doubt* Tfl'Wrekiji Vio»'-pal'ii, l”»far 0.00 Pan* of yt'tr at -areo rat*. WLFKLT EDITION, TOBTPAID. *lni*cf>p». p*r .....91.q0 « lul.c.f n»r, i**f I*yV n-il,of iwrnty. p<*r copy 1.10 IhApnMaei'l* I.Troat* »ye»r, which we will prepw. Kixriroen royhe »cut free. To prevent drley end tnlrlekc*, l;« eurtf and give IVat-Ofilfo addrcaa In hill, Including (Uatennd County. Urmlllani-raniey be medo either by <1 raft. fxjirw*, i’otl-ODlce order, or In regJetfr«l letter*, at onr risk. irnue to citr BiTßscnmcn*. Dally, deliveml. Sunday excepted, ‘JS coni* r<“f Daily, delivered, Sunday Include t. 30 cent* p«r week, AddreM THE TUIDUNE COMPANY, Comer MndJ»on ami Dearborn-ata.. Chicago, 111. AMUSEMENTS. KeVTCKER’S THEATRE—M*dI»on ilreet. between Dearborn and Stair. Logagemont of tho QatotOpor* *• Princcu of Treblzoo Jo,” ACADEMY OF MUSlC—Related «treet, between Msdlaoa and Monroe. " The Two Orphan*.” HoOLEYH THEATRE—Randolph wlreet, between Clark and LaSalle. California Mluatrela. NEW CHICAGO THEATRE—CIark ulreel, between Randolph end Lnke, K«lly h Leou’s Mimtrfil*. ADEU’UI THEATRE—Dearborn itreet, corner Mouroo. “Tho forty Thleu*.” WOOD’S MUSEUM—Mouroo itreet, between Dear born and Mate. Afternoon, “ Red Ridlng-Uood.’’ Evening, *• Jtuk Hr.rkawuy’d Advcuturf*.” SOCIETY MEETINGS. WASHINGTON CHAPTER, No. 43. It. A. M.—Spe cial Cntivointii't) this (I'rluuy) evening el 7s;10, for work on On* !’. :nul M, E. Dearie. Wiling Compan ion* cordially Invited. llv order of tlm H. P. CHAS. J. TRuWUIUDOE, Sec’y. %£h (Ctojjo Friday Morning, December 31, 1876. ANNUAL REVIEW. Our J#«no of to-morrow. Jim. 1, 1870, will contain ’* Tnr. T.itacxc'n Annual R view of the Trade, Com* ii* rcc,«ml Manufacture* of lli« City of Olilcsbo," for ihoycar 1875. Tin? Review will bo unusually elaborate ami ccmiuclienMre, brlnifliig to lliocloscof the year tbs statistics of tl>» ci;y‘» Commerce, Its Grain, Lum l*r, and Produce Tredo, thd Wholesale Trndo In all Its I ranches. Manufactures, Public Inirrorcraunis, Build ftc.,ctp. Groat cartfuas been exercised la tho ejlk-ctlou nnd conii.ll.Mlou' of the facts and figures tutoring into tho Review, which can be safety com iu. udod for Its accuracy and value as a complete com pendium of the year's business. Arrangements will be made to supply *hc edition of Jan. 1 In Urge quan tities, nod nowo-dc ilcrs will perceive the advantage of ■cudlng in their orders as early as convenient. Greenbacks yesterday at tho Now York Gold Exchange closed at SS). Colder westerly winds, with clouds or rain, are predicted for the lake region to-day. Tho detectives aro working hard to un earth tho monster Whisky King which is be lieved to exist in Now York City. It is not likely that Crookedness “got loft” in a neighborhood where Tammany waxed bo fpt. vidian troubles aro among tho uncomfort able probabilities in tbo far West. Hostile Sioux to tho number of 400 threaten an at tack upon the Ponca Agency, and tho settlors are taking flight to tho nearest military post. In Oregon, tho Nor. Perces aro on tho war path, greatly to tho alarm of the inhabitants of tbo Walla Walla Valley. New-Year's Day is to be well celebrated by the Anglo-Americou Telegraph Company. On and after to-iuorvow, cable rates will be only 25 cents, gold, per word for “ general nows dispatches.” If this tariff is permanent, which wo doubt, (ho American press can publish even fuller foreign dispatches than it docs now. A terrible tragedy occurred yesterday in N\-w York, resulting probably iu tho death >f throe persons, two by murder and the •bird by suicide. A man named Monroe S. Minster, having retired to bed with his wife uid child, first shot tho littlo one, then tho mother, aud thou himself. Curiously enough, Minster was in the employ of the Society Cor the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. The City Treasurer of Buffalo, N. Y., hoe found it convenient to go upon a journey without leaving his address. His abrupt de parture for unknown regions occasions not a dtlle regret, owing to the discovery that tho city funds oro short something like $400,000. There, is in consequence, u strong inquiry for Hr. Jorrvh Boric, whoso property, hith erto estimated at about $050,000, will prob ib W fall far short of making good tho defol ration. Tim President lias expressed his opinion on die policy of tho Democrats iu turning ex- I'uiou soldiers out of office and replacing ihom by Confederates. Ho says that he will lischarge Democrats from tho Departments lust as fast as Union men arc turned out ot offices in the control of the House, aud will thus find places for the discharged vot sraus. It is evident that thols game is one ‘.list two can play at, and Grant has said '• check-mato” to the Confederates. Now developments in connection with tho iibtillcry seizures iu Chicago ure neither very jlouty nor very important, tho Government officials having evidently concluded that the ;uuo has not yet arrived when the public may oe informed as to tho actual extent of the '.‘crooked” transactions hereaway. It is be lieved that nearly all the distilleries will be dlowed to resume operations under bond, ruck being the usual practice where a large rumher of cattle ore dependent upon the istohlishmeuts for subsistence. Another interesting letter from Mr. B, P. Guuck&on ou tho subject of the State rev* (Due system will be found elsewhere in our lolumus. The writer takes up the tax payer’s “ complete remedy at law,” as tho Supreme Court has stated it, and shows very dearly that the resort of the over-assessed iroperty-owncr to tho Town Board or County toord is iu fact no remedy at all, much less a * complete remedy”; aud that the present ystem tends to put a premium upon fraud, Icctil, end perjury. The Chlcogo produce markets were Irrogu er yesterday. Mess pork was less active, ud :.c per brl lower, closing at $16.05 cash, aid $10.25(5110.27$ for February, Lard was mic-t, ond fic per 100 lbs lower, closing at »12.12j®12.16 cash, and $12.80®12.82J for 'ebruary. Meats were quiet and steady at o for boxed shoulders, 10c for do short ribs, tui U)jo lor do short clears. Higbwines *«r« in (sir demand and unchanged at $1.09 a t gallon. Flour was dull. Wheat was active nnd Jo lower, cloning firm nt f»r»*<s cash and y.'Jc for January. Corn was Active and irregular, closing nt 4!ilo for December and •ld|c fur Jmmary, Oats were quiet and firm* er, closing nt IW.Jc cnali nnd ;’.(Uu for Veb ruory. Rye was dull nt 07(5>f>T)c. Barley was active, hut 2jo lower, closing nt Pile cash and “fie for January. Hogs wore mod* erntoly Active and wenk, selling nt $0,405? 7.123. Cattle were firm nnd in good demand. Sheep ruled quiet and steady. One hundred dollars in gold would buy $112.73 in green backs nt the close. The second annual banquet of tho Chicago Bar Association took place last evening, mul was in every way a brilliant nnd notablo affair. Members of the Assoclolion nnd in vited guest* were present to the number of about UiK), and a finer assemblage of legal talent it would be difficult to bring together in any American city. Tho toasts nnd speeches of tho evening are given at length iu our local columns, nnd can bo commended both for (heir brevity and Hprightlincss. Senator Spencer, if tho report of tho In vestigating Committee of tho Alabama Legis lature be true, will have on exceedingly hard task to perforin to convince the Senate Elec tions Committee that be is one of tho sort of persona with whom tho grave Senators desire to associate. Tho report of the above-named Committee, which Is signed by nil Its mem bers, irrespective of politics, finds Spencer guilty of every form of bribery thot could suggest itself to a criminally ambitious ad venturer. __________ Secretary Chandler has no brother. Na ture having failed to supply him with that delightful article, a certain Capt. Stine, alias Gkouok Thompson, alius C. W, Chandler, undertook to fill tho aching void in the Sec retary's heart, and thereby a similar void in bin own pocket. Ho presented himself to tho military authorities at San Fraucieco, modestly stated his relationship, confided to them that he was on inspection duty, and asked for onus, A telegram to ’Washington, a telegram back, and tho Secretary's p*wdo brother was arrested. Ho is now inspecting tho interior of a jail. Even Snn Francisco, which has hitherto hold herself superior to the general weakness for internal revenue violation, is in a fair way to come mulor condemnation os no better than slio should bo in this regard. That there has been n "Whisky King in ’Frisco, nnd thnt the day of reckoning is near nt hand, there is ample reason to believe, as will bo seen by the letter of a correspondent printed this morning. Tho power of the Treasury Department has survived the trip across the continent, and though it has been exercised hut moderately as yet, tho indica tions are thnt tho blow will not long bo de ferred, and that when it falls it will hurt somebody. Judicial clemency wna exercised yesterday in a somewhat unusual manner for tho bene fit of Mr. Joseph Pollak, a Justice of tho Peace who had been tried in duo form in tho Criminal Court nud found guilty of extorting illegal fees. Tho verdict was set aside and a new trial granted by tho Court, whereupon tho Stato’s-Altoruoy promptly entered a nolle pmsrQui, and that was tho end of tho caso. It is said that tho defendant was no moro guilty than many other Justices of tho Peace in tho matter of illegal fees, and that the lenien cy of tho Court was duo to this fact, —all of which may bo true ; but it would bo inter esting to know how tho practice in question is over to be discontinued and suppressed if offenders aro treated so tenderly as all this. THE DYING YEAH. In parting company with tho old year, It is well to recall some of tho more conspicuous events that enter into its history. It is nota ble as tho closing year of tho first American century, though the formal celebration will not bo hold until next July. The most fitting and encouraging circumstance wo recall in connection with this phase of its history is tho complete pacification of the South. The year 1875 opened with tho danger of a se rious disturbance in Louisiana. It was tho 4th of Jnimary when Gen. Sheridan assumed command at Now Orleans, and by his prompt and courageous treatment of affaire as bo found them first assured tho preservation of peace, and opened tho way for a subsequent adjustment of tho snarl into which tho two contending factions had jot themselves. For nearly two months tho Louisiana affaire were again the topic of Congress, productive of debates that sometimes lasted through tho night as well as day. Finally the contention between th*e two porlius was settled on a basis since known as tho “ Wheeler Com* promise,” which guaranteed Kellogg his po sition ns Governor, and adopted a rule for ■ tho organization of the Legislature which subsequently placed it in tho hands of tho Democrats. The Louisiana settlement hod a good influence in Arkansas and Mississippi, and for tho lost few months of the year thoro Lavo been better indications of permanent peace and self-government in tho South than at any time sinco tho War. Thu national legislation of this country, comprehended within the session of Con gross which closed March 4, 1875, consists mainly of three or four important measures. The bill providing for tho resumption of spe do payments Juu. 1, 1671), and also for free hanking, became a law Jan. 14. Tho Presi dent returned the bill with his approval, and a special message recommending Congress to adopt measures for carrying It into operation, which, unfortunately, has not yet been done. Tho other notable Congressional measures were thu Little Tariff kill, which, under tho pretense of correcting some errors, really added to tho tariff, and tho Tax bill, which increased tho tax on whisky and tobacco, and restored the “horizontal” 10 per cent to tho duties which had been token off by a previous Congress. It wos prom ised that this would Increase the revenue; hut it went into operation in time to take away some $0,000,000 of revenue for tho year, showing its effect to have loon prohib itory in some coses. It has merely increased prices, and led to fronds aud evasions iu the payment of duties and tuxes, hut without adding a dollar to tho revenue of tho Gov ernment. The Civil Nights' hill became a law March 1, but has occasioned none of tho tumult which Us opponents predicted. Tho conditional admission of Colorado was also voted before tho close of the session. Of the other political events of tho earlier part of (be year may bo mentioned tho elec tion of Senator Ferry, of Michigan, as Presi dent jtro Um. t which has assumed an unusual importance by the death of Vice-President Wilson, which confers the Presidential suc cession upon Senator Ferbt. Soon after the adjournment of Congress, the abandonment of tho Civil-Service rules was formally an nounced in conformance with a warning to that offset which lbs President gave 000- 'lHifl CHICAGO TRIBUNE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, XS7S. gross if the latter should fail to make the necessary legislation for sustaining them. Gen. Simnnf.ii, long time United States Trena il ror, resigned March US, and was succeeded by Mr. New, a banker of Indianapolis, Ind. Of tho Inter political events the fall elections were peculiarly in their defeat of tho Demo cratic rag-bahy, nnd for their annulment of the Democratic gains which had been made one year before. The organization of tho Forty-fourth Congress is too recent to require any help to the memory in recalling it. Tho foreign relations during the year have been peaceful, nnd for the most part promis ing of future harmony. Spain furnishes the only exception. There wore rumors of w ; • grow ing out of the failure of Spain to fulfill tho obligations growing out of tho Virginins affair, during the chrlicr part of tho year, ami those have been renewed more recently. There is nothing specific, however, to war rant any serious apprehension of such a re sult. There ore unsubstantial reports that the United States Government has proposed to other Governments on intervention in tho Cuban war, but it docs not appear that there is any general disposition to adopt this course. With the exception of tho Cuban insurrection, there is nothing which threat ens a disturbance of tho American policy of pence nnd good will to all mankind. Tho political events of foreign countries have been peaceful for the most part nnd pro gressive. Franco has succeeded in adopting a Constitutional Government of a Republican form, and has already begun tho selection of u Senate. The prospects of tho French Re public are considerably brighter than over before. Great Britain has moved along in Us characteristic substantial fashion, notwith standing tho money pontes it ban endured from au unproductive investment of its sur plus capital. Tho only political sensation it had during the year was the election of John Mitcilel to Parliament, and his rejection by that body at tho Instance of Diseajili. This would have been a long and ugly struggle had it not been terminated by Mitchci/s death. Tho most striking thing done by England has been tho purchase of 17«»,7i50 shares in tho Suez Canal at n price of X 1,000,000 sterling. This is in effect a declaration on the part of England that, if Russia nnd Austria arc going to di vide up Turkey iu Europe, England will lay claim to Egypt as a guaranty for an open way to her trade with India. Spain alone, of nil tho gront powers of Eu rope, has been tom by civil war. IsAnrxnA’fl sou, Alfonso, bad tho misfortune to bo in augurated King of Spain on tho first day of tho year, and has ever since had two civil wars on his hands, —tho Carlist insurrection in Spain and tho native Cuban revolt in Cu ba. Neither of these insurrections dilfcrs essentially in standing at tho end of tho year from tho ojieniog of tho year ; and, though neither has mado any particular progress, an other year has been added to demonstrate Spain’s incapacity to assert tho sovereign power which sho still assumes with all tho arrogance of old. Tho Herzegovinian insurrection against Turkey is really tho most important warlike event In Europe, inasmuch as it has attracted tho in tervention of Austria and Russia, and will probably lend cither to a peaceful redistribu tion of European Turkey or a general Eu ropoan war. Germany has signalized its strength and progress by a uniforn enforce raent of tho Falck laws, as against which tho occasional protest of tho Popo and his Bish ops has proved ineffectual. Tho Pope has further attached tho United States to him by tho creation of an American Cardinal, ami tho establishment of throo additional Metro poll tan Secs in this country-. China has secured a new Emperor—' Tsae TTzk —during tho course of tho year, and has a small war on its hand with Corea. Tho year has been unusually quiet, and olso prosperous, with tho exception of cer tain calamities which we detail elsewhere. The death record, which we also give in another article, included some of the world’s most noted people. THE EEVENUE PROSECUTIONS, Tho seizure of distilleries and rectifying establishments in this city on Wednesday was to many persons a surprise, tho general supposition having been that tho Govern ment had exhausted its information in tho seizures made iu May lost. Tho seizures in May were extensive, and indicated that tho frauds on tho revenue had been very largo ; Including tho seizures of Wednesday last, it is possible that tho unpold (ax on tho spirits which were illegally sold in this city, of which tho Government has evidence, aggre gated between $1,501),000 ond $2,000,000. Without expressing any opinion as to tho guilt or Innocence of tho persons whoso es tablishments have boon seized and themselves placed under suspicion, it is hut fair to as sume that tho Government has not acted without having ample information or proof justifying tho extreme measures. Tho Itovo uuo law practically mokes tho manufacture of spirits a Government business, —tho books and whole establishments being open to the Government, and all transactions being sub ject to dally record and report. Tho law mokes tho Government interest in the busi ness the primary consideration, and tho pay incut of the Government’s proportion tho absolute condition on which the business shall be prosecuted. Tho law gives to the Government more than proprietary rights. The rights of properly are subordinate to those of the Government, whose fee or tax must be paid under all circumstances. Some years ago the tax on whisky was Increased to $2 per gallon, and, owing to tho general de moralization of the revenue service under Andrew Johnson, tho greater port of the tax —perhaps 65 per cent—was divided between corrupt Government officers oml the manu facturers aud rectifiers. The consequences were most disastrous, not only in tho loss of revenue, but in tho corruption of public morals, the creation of a widespread sentiment that it was allowable to cheat tho Govern ment, aud that holding on office carried with it the right to make all (hat the opportunl . ties permitted. Largo fortunes were mode dishonestly and rapidly; extravagance in liv ing, wastefulness in expenditure, and the baleful results of sudden wealth acquired by disreputable means, followed, having a cor rupting effect upon society. Young men aud old men corning honest livelihoods by honest labor grew impatient and restless; families envious of the mode of living adopted by those who hod got rich by short cuts, and thousands of people who had never bad a dishonest thought, argued themselves into the doctrine that it was n duty to get money by any moons. This demoralization has been evidenced by the constant succession of em bezzlements, frauds, and all manner of dis honest appropriations of money, which have followed ever since in all the walks of life. Fidelity to trusts has become the exception, while dishonesty is the rule. Never within the history of the country has there been such an avnlancho of corruption in public ami private life as has taken place during tho last ton years. In every department of tho public service and in all branches of commer cial business the attempt to get rich by fraud has been widespread mid general. The collodion of the revenue on spirits was improved by the reduction of the tax, and a total change of revenue officers. For a while the reform progressed, but the ovil doctrine that there was no moral turpitude in robbing (ho public bad been too generally accepted, nml the men charged with the collection of the revenue gradually jdeldod to the tempta tions, and used their offices for dishonest gain. Certainly as far hack as 1871, in cer tain places and at various dates elsewhere, the business of dividing the Government tax between the revenue officers and t-ho manu facturers of spirits begun, ond has been regu larly carried on ever since. IVo do not underrate nor apologize for the criminal conduct of the men engaged in making spirits. So general was the business that there has not been a day for several years when whisky could not bo bought in any of the largo markets at prices which pre cluded competition from the tax-paid spirits. A man who could pul one-fourth, or one-third, or ouo-half of his whiskey on the market, paying the tax on the remainder, could sell stock at an average price far below that on which full-paid tax whisky could be sold, and make a largo profit,—a profit so large that ho could well give to the revenue officers i’o to 110 cents a gallon for their partici pation in the crime. In no case is the un lawful sale of untaxed whisky possible with out the consent of the revenue officers. The corruption, wo may assume, proceeds from the revenue officer. Ho makes his demand for money, and offers as n consideration per mission to sell whisky without paying the tax. Tina involves Gangers, Storekeepers, and all the other officers whoso silence or co operation is necessary to the fraud. In St. Louis the rigors of the law were applied to those establishments which did not cuter the Hiug. Permission and protection wore offer cd at the rate of SO cents a gallon. This dis honest payment to the revenue officers was divided among various persons, official and unofficial, connected with the revenue ser vice and not connected therewith. These persons, the recipients of this money, these blackmailers and seducers, these wretches who made the manufacture of whisky unprofitable to nil who did not do a dishonest business,—these are the principals in this great crime, and upon them should fall the severest penalty of the law. There is hardly any necessity for secrecy or silence any long er. Pack man guilty is personally aware of the fact, and ho may safely accept os true that tho Government has an abundance of proof to establish that guilt. Between tho manufacturers and the Treasury it is a ques tion of dollars and rents, with payment of tho unpaid taxes. But between tho Govern ment and the revenue officers, and thoir partners who have levied and extorted and received this money as a license for fraud, it is a question of crime and the proper punish ment thereof. WHINE OP THE “ WHISKY-THIEVES’ OR GAN.” Tho Chicago newspaper which has corned for itself tho designation of tbo WhUty- Thine*' Organ has a characteristic whine be. cause The Tmnron has been at the pains to expose the real bearing of its rccont malicious and scandalous attack on tho Secretary of tho Troamry. It says that Toe TnmuNE is jealous of it 1 This is tbo best exhibition of humor wo have ever noted in its columns. It is positively fanny. Wo suspect, however, that there is a subtle purpose on tho part of tho Organ to advertise tho fact that The TnmtJNß has token some notice of it, —a dis agreeable duty forced'upon The Tbidune, just as Joyce, McDonald, and other whisky, thieves occupied a portion of The Tbibdne’s space, which we would much have pre ferred to devote to more agreeable and more honest people. Until tho Whitley- Thine*' Orga7i exposed its own character in connection with the King for defrauding tho revenue, it could not complain that Tue Tbihune dignified it with any special refer once, nor could it use this as a means for ad vertising itself. So far as its account of weighiug up a certain amount of mail matter every week is concerned, wo are nob inform ed of the truth of its assertions, and shall toko no pains to inquire into them. As it began about a year or so ago to sell a weekly edition at little more than tho cost of white paper, wo should not bo surprised if that bait had caught a good many unsuspecting Grangers. This is a matter, however, which docs not concern either The Tbihonb or tho publio in tho least, which has never taken any interest in tho affairs of tho Organ nutil it began advertising its own subserviency to, or partnership in, tho Whisky King. If Ibo Organ seriously meant to convey the impression that Tun Tribune regards it iu the light of a “rival," wo can remove it iu a very few words. While wo would u&turolly prefer to have every newspaper published in tho interest of public honesty, and decency, and correct principles, no Journal devoted ex clusively to the very opposite of these is likely to come in competition with Tub Tbid unis. There is, therefore, no reason why The Tribune could hove any envy or selfish ob jection to the publication of the Organ, If we wore selfish about it, wo could not ask to have a different sort of paper printed. Tho Organ advocates tho interests of tho ultra ho. tcction Ring, which Tins Tribune opposes. It has lived upon the printing pap furnished by the County Treasurer and tho Aldormauio Ring. It has bean tho special oraclo fit tho “ Rag-Baby, and has associated itself with the Democratic inflation scheme on which Tun Tribune has mode war. And now tho Organ has coma oat openly In its defense of tho Whisky- Thieves’ Ring by attacking Secretary Uow tow who is prosecuting the thieves. If there are any other Rings hereabout*, tho Organ is ready to tako up their cause. Now, it is well known that Tux Tribune never bos been, and it is generally believed tb&t it never will bo, tbo organ of any corrupt Ring or thievish interest. Tho Whiaky.Thietof Organ, there fore, occupies a ground upon which Tub Tribune has no desire to trench; and, so long as tbo Organ keeps this ground, thero is not tho slightest danger that it will cross Tax Tribune’s path, nor offend the senso of our readers with its presence. Tho readers of Tub Tribune bollevo in the promotion of official integrity, honest money, fair taxation, roveuae tariff, and the exposure and punish ment of all corrupt, plundering Rings, so they are not likely to have anything to do with the Whitky-Thicwa' Organ. That concern calls itself & Republican Journal 1 Dfit it advocates a species of Re* pnblicanism unknown to the party. It is openly in opposition to the President and the Administration on their financial policy and the prosecution of revenue thieves. It would be difficult to point out any sciential difference between its platform on financial questions nml that of the Cincinnati Kt\~ yttirer. If it were to suspend publication, which wo hope it will not, tho pecuniary interests of Tun Tr.tmma would not bo benefited n parti cle. Had it not made its atrocious attack on Secretary Bristow In behalf of tho whisky thieves, The Tridunb would not have deigned to notice it unless in a mild way to expose or puncture some of its mg-baby sophisms. JUDGE BIGGINS ON THE HOLD-OVERS. Wo print this morning a letter addressed to tho Citizens' Association by Judge Van 11. Ilrcmtsa upon tho question of tho holding tfver of tho present city officers of Chicago, especially of the Mayor, until April, 1877. Judge Higgins makes these points against tho assumption: 1. That tho Constitution prohibit* the Legislature from making any appointment to office, or electing any officer, except those necessary to the two Houses. 2. That tho office of Mayor of Chicago is an “office," os defined by tho Constitution, and one which tho Legislature is. prohibited from filling by appointment. 8. That the Legislature had no more power to provide that the Mayor of the city, thou in office, after his term expires should fill tho same office for a definite term under tho new charter, than it had to provide that H. D. Colvin should bo Mayor of Chicago from Doc. 1, 1875, until April, 1877. 4. That under tho construction given to tho new charter, that Mr. Colvin continues Mayor until April, 1677, the Legislature la enacting that charter did not m effect elect or appoint Colvin Mayor from December, 1875, until April, 1877, ond such election was un constitutional and void,—tho Legislature not having power to do anything of tho kind. 5. That tho charter, however, does not boar such a construction. That the charter provision, that when it shall bo adopted “the city officers then in office shall there upon exorcise tho powers conferred upon like officers fn this act, until their successors are elected and qualified,” contemplates that there will ho an election to fill tho vacancies, tho old officers serving merely until that election is held. The charter does not say tlio old officers shall continue until tbo next regular election fixed in tho new charter. U. The office of Mayor under the old char ter was abolished by the repeal of the char ier; and the office of Mayor now exists only under the now charter. Consequently, there is a clear vacancy in all the offices created by the now charter, 7. The now charter provides that when a vacancy exists in the office of Mayor, and the unexpired term exceeds one year, such vacancy shall bo filled by special election, and the charter does not pretend to fill the office, merely providing that the Mayor in office shall act until his successor under the new charter shall bo elected. Those points are strongly presented by Judge IhooiKs, who is confessedly one of the ablest lawyers in this city, and are forti- fied strongly by opinions in parallel cases delivered by Judges Bbeesb and Lawbence. Wo commend the letter to tho careful read- ing of the public, os well as to tho Court- House crowd. A TAXED FLAG. It is a matter of common belief, into tho accuracy of which It wero unkind to closely inquire, that tho Stars and Stripes wero adopted as onr national flag on tho first day of 1770. To-morrow is to bo particularly cel ebrated, then, by a great display of bunting. From dome, and tower, and steeple, and staff, tbo Star-Spangled Banner will bo ilnng to tho winds. It is the emblem of a Govern ment that is proudly churned to be tho best and freest on earth, which nominally exists for tho benefit of the many, tho greatest hap piness of tho greatest number, —and which gives in practice tho Ho to this theory by basing its whole tax-system upon the plunder of tho many for the “protection’* of tlio few. This Government has kindly granted one manufactory of bunting, in which our revered fellow-citizen, B. F. BDr um, is understood to be heavily interested, tho privilege of making patriotic persons pay $1.75, gold, for every dollar’s worth of ctarrod-Aud-stripod cloth. Bunting could bo sold in New York at 48J cents p<jr yard if there wero no tariff-tax upon it. Bat our laws impose an ad-valorem duty of fits per cent and a specific one of 20 cents per yard. These two items amount together to 75 per cent of the prime cost. They have to bo paid in gold. Thus, if a man wishes to rejoice over his country’s pros perity by hanging out a flag, his country treats the patriotic impulse as a crime, and assesses a fine of 75 cents on tho dollar against him in punishment thereof. Our forefathers complained bitterly of a trifling tax of a few cents per pound on tea, and fought a certain rather important war on account of this and kindred matters. They would not lot a whole nation tax them in such a way oa an article of luxury; we meekly permit a little knot of speculators to levy an enormous tax on that Star-Spangled Banner beneath which equal rights are supposed to prevail. The Government nominally levies the tax, ond gets about $1,200 a year from it; tho speculators aforesaid probably clear ten times this sum by reason of tho tax. When the child of (he period goes walking with his father on New Year's Day, boos the flags flying, and asks what tho celebration is about, the ingenuous parent will And somo difficulty in making tho boy see why it was wrong for England to lightly tax English sub jects and yet is right for the cx-Hon. B. F. Butleb and his followers to heavily tax men who ore not their subjects but their political equals. Had wo not better, as one of the minor celebrations of the Centennial year, make free the flag that is the symbol of onr freedom ? The year 1875 boa boon a fruitful one in casualties and disasters. In April, Oshkosh, Wis., suffered a loss of $8,000,000 by flro. In May occurred the most disastrous skip week of the year,—that of the steamer Schiller, off the Scilly Islands, by which 851) lives were sacrificed. lu the same month (he extensive forest fires In Pennsylvania involved a loss of $8,000,000 and the tornadoes in the South 800 lives. June was marked by terrible disasters. An earthquake in New Grenada swallowed up 10,000 persons, and the disastrous Hoods in the South of France destroyed nearly 8,000 lives and $75,000,000 of property. These floods were followed by very disastrous floods in July in Switzerland, Silesia, Hindustan, England, and again in Franco, by which several hundred lives and vast omounts of property were destroyed, lu the some month Russia was visited by a long succession of incendiary fires, kindled by dis : contented serfs, which destroyed eighteen towns and villages. In August cholera broke out in Syria, and swept away 5,000 people. In September the ooaal of Texas was detas* UUd bj flood, «hioh dMtiojod 4M Utm. In Addition to thoso casualties, fiunlno dtir log tlio year swept away £0,00) people iu Asia Minor, nud an epidemic of measles car ried off nearly 15,000 Fiji Islanders. It is within bounds to say Hint nearly 120,000 lives have boon lout by the groat cosuallies of tho year. THE BEAD OF 1876. The harvest of death during the year, which is now so near its close, has been a fruitful one. The scythe has mown with Impartial sweep, and the necrology exhibits a list of eminent names quite as long and remarkable aa those of former years. If thoio is any special feature to note, it Is In the number of ailisd* and politicians of the old school who have passed awav. Literature lias lost a largo number of eminent scholars and writers, among them the following; Charles Sprague, the poet j Henry Clapp, the King of the old Now York 'Bohemians ; Charles Dawson Shanloy, the humornus essayist; Samuel O. Drake, tbo antiquarian and historian; Mortimer Thomoson (“ Doesticks") ; Jcioph E. Babson (“Tom Folio "J, of Bouton ; the Bey. C. W. Upbatn, the Belem witchcraft historian; J. Boss Browne, the traveler; and Frederick Uuilhou, the os-mauiger of the New York Ihrald. These named belong to our own country. Europe baa lost Charles Kingsley; M. Crclloeau Joly, the French historian; John Timbs, Arthur Helps, and Augustus Miiyhow, the English essayiets; Winwood Hondo; M. Achtfxl, Edgar Qulnot, and the Marquis Do Bel* level, French authors; Viscount do Castilho, the Portuguese poet; the lU.*Bev. Conner Thirl* wall, the English historian of Oroooa; Soldi, the Austrian poet, and author of the Austrian National Hymn; Hans Christian Andersen, the delightful Danish novelist; William Bay)© Ber nard, tbo English dramatic author; Nicholas Mueller, the Swabian priutor-poot; and Dr. Oscar Pescbcl, the Gorman geographer. The arts have mot with a very severe loss. Tbo stage, both lyric and diatnalio, wo leave for a detailed notice at another Umo. Painting has lout in this country Gilbert Burllog, of Now York; William J. Hays, tbo animal-painter; Pietro Vainl, of Now York, who committed sui cide ; William Craig and William Oliver Stone, and the eminent American sculptor Horatio Stone, who died In Italy. Europe has lost some very eminent men, among them the painters Millet, Corot, andPolotlo, of Franco; Holfuor, of Alsace; Molhyc, of Denmark; Von Bamberg and Klein, of Munich; lluheo, of Vienna; Pick erscitl and Walkor, of England. Among the sculptors are Philip and Stephens, of England; Carpcani and Barye, of France. This list should also include Edwin WalUy Pugin, the English architect. Death has been specially busy among the old politicians of this country, tho Use including Vlco-Piesldout Henry Wilson; ex-Presidcnt Andrew Johnson ; ox-Oov. Bramlotte, of Ken tucky s Garnett McMillan, Member of Congress elect from Georgia; Nathan Sargent, ox-Com miseioocr of Customs under President Lincoln ; William A. Buckingham, Senator from Connecti cut ; Samuel I*'. Horsey, Member of Congress from Maine ; Samuel Hooper, Member of Con gress from Massachusetts ; James Biilllntou, Momoor of Congress elect from Massachusetts ; Thomas Biddlo, United States Minister at Ecua dor ; Gen. John 0. Breckinridge, of Ken tucky ; Jesse D. Bright, of Indiana; Henry W. Barry, Member of Congress from Mis sissippi! Gen. Dutf Green, of Georgia; Judgo Mcl’ftddoo, Delegate from Washington Terri ritory 5 E. A. Warren, ex-Mombor of Congress from Arkansas 5 Prank Blair, of Missouri; Col. Alexander Hamilton, of Now York; ox-Scnator Weller, of California; Caleb Lyon, of Lyondalo; Henry T. Blow, of Bt. Louis; ox-Congressman Jonckes, of Rhode Island and ex-Socrotary Graham, of .North Carolina. Among tho promi nent politicians abroad who have passed away aro John Mitcbel, Hit Francis Bond Head, ox- Lieutenant-Governor of Canada; and Francis Deak, of Hungary. Tho most {rominent clergymen who have died are tbo Bov. G. F. TmU, tho anti-tobacco apostle; tbo Bov. Dr. Patrick Leahy, Archbishop of Dublin ; tbo Bt. Rev. Edward John Horan, Bishop of tbo Dioceso of Kingston, Canada; tbo Bcv. John Wright Roberts, M. E. Bishop of Liberia; tko Bov. Isaac Ool lord, tbo pioneer Methodist of Kentucky; Father Boohm. tbo centenarian Methodist preacher; the Bov. Mr. Selwyu, Chaplain of tbo Queon of England; Dr. Laberouz, tbo Boraan Catholic Dean of Fulda; Archbishop Plati tler, of Niamos, France; the Bov. H. J. Biploy, Professor at Newton Theological Seminary; tbo Bov. Lewis P. W. Balch, D. D.; tho Bov. Bobcrt O. Vomllyca, Professor of Theology at Uaitford eonmiary, Conn,; Atba oaao Jose Coqncrel, the famous French Protest ant clergyman; tho Bov. Samuol Clark, of St. Mark's College, England; tho Bev. Charles G. Fmuey, ox-President of Oborlin College, Ohio; Dr. Nutt, Presidont Indiana State University; Lycurgus, Archbishop of Syra; Cardinals Lorenzo Barill, Annibal Capolti, and Gaspard Grassoline; also President George Smith, of the Mormon Church, and Martin Harris, one of tho anthers of tbo Mormon Blblo. Tbo eminent Jurists of this country who have died are Chief-Justice Hardin, of Kentucky; Judge Maunsell B. Field, of New York; Judge George B. Woodward, of Pennsylvania; Judge Bellamy Btoror, of Ohio; Horace Blnney, of Philadelphia; Prof. Joel Parker, of Massa chusetts; and United States District Judge ijongyear, of Michigan. The medical profession has lost Dr. Edward Dolafleld, of Now York; Dr. Samnol M. Eliot, the eminent New York oculist; Dr. Gerhard Baal, a leading homeopathic physician of Cin cinnati; Sir Charles Looook, (he English phy sician and accoucbor to the Queen; Drs. Winslow Lewis and N. 0. Keep, of Boston; and Dr. A, D. Lord, of Ohio, Among the scientists who have passed away Prof. Herman Bitter, the English chemist; the astronomers, Wilson of Melbourne, Argelaodor of Bonn, Twitched of Cincinnati, Mathieu of Paris, and Winlock of Cambridge, Mass.; Bir Charles Lyell, tbs English geologist;' Profi Wheatstone, tho electrician; Prof. Sundevatl the Bwodlsh zoologist i fiir Goldsworthy Our- nett, the inventor of many protections for miners; B. It. Weill, tbo phrenologist; Jean Fre<terlo do Waldeob, the African tr&volor, who died at the advanced ago of 105; Herman Ewald, the German philologist; Prof. J. E. Cairns, tbo English political economist; and Prof. J. A. Lapbam, ez-Btale Geologist of Wlaeonsio. The United States army has lost Gou. L.'JD. Roberts, Brevet Brig.-Gou. William Hayes, Brevet Brlg.-Qen. George W. Msoy, Adjt.-Qoo. Lorenzo Thomas; and the navy, Lleul.-Ooni. W. N. Allen. Rear-Admiral Charles H. Belt, Lleut.-Com. Douglas Cassell, Bear-Admiral John Bo Camp, Com. Andrew J. Drake, Com. George D. Morris, and Rear-Admiral Napoleon Collins. The prominent military officers of Europe who have died axe Lioat.-Uoa. James Hope Grant, of the English army, Gen. Dufour of the Swiss army, Gen. Froiasaid of the Preach army, and Gen. Caballero de Bodaa of tbo Spanish army, and Count Wende zu Euleuberg of the German army. Among the prominent baslneaa men of Ihla country who have died are Eberß. Ward, the Michigan Ijoo-maaUr *, William U, Asplnwall. of New York i tioatbwortb Shew, of Boston ; I. B. Sluger, of sewing-machine and maoy-wivee fame; John Harper, eeuior member of the Harper Brother* { Darias Wells, the Inventor of wood types; John McManus, the Pennsylvania iron-master t M. W. Mason, of Now York, the inventor of the locomotive bead-light; -Samuel Chnbbuck. the inventor of many improvements in telegraphic apparatus; Robert H. Ives, of I’rovidauoe, B. 1.; William B. Aator, of New York; Francis Dane, of Boston; Vice-President Mumford, of the Western Union Telegraph Company; and W. 0. Balaton, the California banker. Among Urn dsad and gone blanches of Royalty are Frederick William, Elector if Heeds Oaaaal TMißbua, Bmpkror of Ohlaa and kii widow j tea Infante Don Sebastian, cousin of Isabella of Bpsiti; Prince Paul Oelropironllsch of C.oojgia; ex*Quoon Amalia of Greece : ForJinaml 1., ox* Emperor of Austria; Prince diaries Theodore, great undo of tbo Klmr of Havana; Prince Ariel* bort, mielo of the King of Bavaria ; the ex*l)nkt of Modena } end the I’tiiico of Linpe-Detinold. Tbo list of tbo dead would be Incomplete with* out preserving tbo names of a few of the cml* coni women nbo have passed away, among them Lady Frxukliu; Celia Burleigh, the woman's* rights agitator; Emetine, the favorite wife of Brigham Young; the beautiful Russian Prin cess Orloff; Anita, second wife of Garibaldi; Mme. Jeanne Louis© IVronc. the French cdkn poser; Airs. Henry M. Field, of Ns v York;Qiod Mr*. F.tntW Bliss QauUl, the benefactor of tbo Jioraan children. Indiana promises to furnish us with a new veisiou of the law cf libel. The Hordricka Club, of Indianapolis, to mad, very mad. It has been not died by & local journal that t( “doesn't amount to a row of flsUhoaded pins," and it to reported to bo about to sue the offend ing editor for damages to its collective renuta tiou. 'ibo verdict, if over given, will decide the precise harm done a man by comparing him to a Hat-headed pin. If the damages awarded are low, so that this now derogatory phrase con be cheaply used, it may become popular. It is one of the curiosities of tho English language that, while a pin Is much more hand some, polished, and pointed than a brick, you can safely compare a mao to one brick, or a thousand of brick, but you insult him by calling him a pin. and tho insult increases If you ac knowledge Uiat he la equal to several pins, but not to a row of (hem. Joaquin Miu.su says of Walkeu! “He was a brick,” and perhaps, as this phrase has thus been lifted above the slang of tbo street, some futuie poet may dfgplfy (ha equally current phraso, “ Tnal’a the sort of hair pin 1 am,” by applying it to some future boro. God. Jossok Kilpatrick’s forthcoming da* fonao of Qqu. Bukhman, which is soon to bo published in tbo Non- York Times, will probably undertake to Justify tho M Memoirs” in every particular. A preliminary communication to tbo Times epoaka of the services and character of Gen, Subiuiav in terms of the highest praise, even with pornpaat affectum. Qon. Kilpatrick has somo literary ali.lly, and has had occasion before now to show judicial qualities of a high order. Ho will treat Qou. Boston and other critics of Gen. Sucumah with tho courtesy they deserve. Wo shall look with confidence to Uon. Kjluaioick to produce a valuable work. Tbo St. Louis newspapers advise ns to save our sympathy for tho shopgirls and give it to tbo fomaio school-teacher*. Wo shall do nothing of tho hind. Our sympathy Is clastic enough to embrace both school-teachers and shop-girls. Besides, it is not true, as alleged, that tho female school-teachers arc compelled to spend three hours a day in the cold halls. They are not ao well treated as they deserve to bo; but, as com pared with the shop-girls, they aro in comforta ble circumstances. Kentucky is to urgo the Domination of Cissies M. Clay oh Vice-President by tho Domocratio National Convention of next spring. At least, C. M. C. says so. It is supposed that ho will make his speech of acceptance in tbo “ American language,” in which, according to bis telegram when Minister to Bosnia, ho conversed with the Czar. Tho people of tbo West aro in danger of for getting that Ur. Beecher is still on trial la Brooklyn. Tbo attacks upon him from all quotient aro Incessant; and, if ho succeeds in ignoring them and holding his position In Plymouth pulpit undisturbed, ho will do more than careful observers now regard as possible. Skating-rinks and steam hone-cars now absorb tbo attention of the tray Parisians. Some com bination of the two inventions, which would al low of iteam-ekates, ought to bo suggested. PBBSOHAL. Don’t write " 1875 " to-morrow. Emily Faithfull does not believe In wearing crape. She does not doservo her name. Henry Vincent, the English orator, la In Doe ton, the guest of bis old friend, William Lloyd Garrison. Charles Francis Adams is assessed for $856,- 000. Is it possible that so rich a man can inherit the White Houso? Now England religionists think President Por ter, of Yolo College, showed great liberality by preachiog In a Unitarian pulpit in Boston. Edmond About said of Taluo’s new work, Just published In Paris: "Never before has a book boon written against the Devolution so full of arguments in favor of the Devolution." Charles Kent, a Boman Cathollo editor of London, is editing an edition of tho works of Charles Lamb, in tho introduction to which ha trill shed much light on tho essayist's life. ■ • Mr. Longfellow Is now drawing near 70. He la said to be a Quo picture of beautiful manhood, and to show much improvement in health since bo delivered bis “ Morltnri Saluttmus," at the fiftieth anolversity of his graduation. Moberodid not enunciate the principle, "Je prends men blen on jo le tronvs.” His phrase was, "Jo reprends,” otc.; and It was uttered when ho reclaimed a work that had been stolon from him, not when ho committed a bold pla giarism himself. Literary thieves take notice. A curious feature of Mr. Swinburne's conver sion to the Church of England la that it was brought about by Dr. Jowett, a Broad Church man. One would naturally expect to find in Blt* ualism the most convenient door for a passage from the Boman Catholic to the Episcopal com monlou. _ Pullman was shabbily treated in France. Xh« Directors of one railroad lino took some of hie cars on tnaJ, but cxclodod the public from them; and at the oud of the time for which were lent they were returned with tho remark that If the public knew how good they were, the de mand for them would be irresistible. Col. Forney writes home that Eerer’y John son haa determined to publish a letter pro claiming hie belief that Geo. Bchonck haa done nothing In the Emma Mine matter •• unworthy of a gentleman." Bever'y Johnaou la nowlu London, and bo has carefully examined alltha papers to the cue that Gen. fichenok chose to submit to him. A Baltimore shopkeeper, who told a lady that she was one of the kind that "cams to look iroaad and not to buy,” waa cowhided by an in dignant husband. Tho shopkeeper sued for assault, and the husband entered a ooonterplaa of "insult," which curiously suggest* the em ployment of a female lawyer to try the case, ana a female Judge and Jury to bear it. UOVkX. ARRIVAL#. Pahntr /fou*-Jud«e WliUsiue, Bloomington, J. Ed Moore, Omaha} Capt. WUUam Bawled U. B. A; W. B. Hhoebrldge, llai/fa*. Hflf.; J. O.Uelker, Ar bVoetli, ScotlaoiT; K. H. FraucUco: IL J. TUlauy, Montreal; J. C. UcOoUom, New York, aUiivl Dvioo New Zealand; N, W, Wells, Nebraska; IT*SS3«a I *• V- CookT BoehssUr, N. Y.; Uaucga Crook. McGregor, la.; 0.0. Dulutk; 0. Broomer,Cincinnati. ...Orand J Durand, Uaclue ; W. M. lumaey, Cincinnati: tba Mott. J. n. Cdaall. BprlogfleldJ U.J. kaicu and A. I* Griffin, Kookuic: C. R Perjdns, Burhostou; Henry Ourtia, Mock lelaad; J. D.fAih* Cincinnati: J. F. Baell, Clinton: J. M. TlbbeU, SSrodlburg, Ky!; the JUv.’w. li. TaU. B;ca»ors ? J. Collett, Haute; Otu. j. M. Iledrtck. OHum va: W. J. UcKiunle, Cleveland; Everett W.WtUr •on. bt. LouU....l'r«i«rt*t Houm—D. W. Ocode®- oogh, LudUigwn, Mich,; O. W. Cutomtoga. deco : N. Meaaou, New York; A. D. Lynch and U. U Btiiitilm, ludlanapoUa; J. Blair, «udwn, WU-» U. lUjnor. New York; E, K. Jouw o. W, Welles, Leavenworth J 11 f oai S New York; W. A Young, DaovUU; H. ChoaU, D.w Aloises; U. A Glover and F. E. Oranam, London,Eng.! the Hou. 1L Ugbtoer. Feoria. taan ilvun—Tbi Hon. Judge DaWa, Bloomington, HI; Col. U. AL Wtrruu. Olncinuati; J-** Ef* ood.De- Kalb. HU J. M. Edlin, fcew York : C. D. Gorham, Tort Wayne :lhe Hon. it. 0. Athena, IndlauawoUa f W. ruining, Jort Wayue; Joseph lienpstoad, rtuabutgi r®4