The New York herald. [volume], December 28, 1875, Page 3, Image 3

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THE Will fill
What Was Done at the Business
?Meeting Last Night.
r~ ' *i
MR. BEECBER QUITE AGGRESSIVE.
Declaration that the Church Intends to
Take Care of Itself.
COUNCILS AND ADV1SOKY COUNCILS.
Characteristic Speech by the
Plymouth Pastor.
The busine!-* meeting of Plymouth Church last night
wag an important and interest,ng one. A new letter
from Mrs Moulton was read. It presented two ques
tions lor consideration by the mutual council already
agreed upon. The report or the Examining Committee
was also presented, and the mutual council and the ad
visory council wag agreed to. Mr. Beecher then ex
plained tho attitude of Plymouth Church, and said
that hereafter she "would lake her own business into
her own hands."
llr. Beerhcr announced in a single laconic sentence,
lammed in uinoug the dozen announcements made
before his sermon on Sunday morning, that them would
be an adjourned business meeting of tho church hold
last night. Perhaps not oncbalf of tho congregation
understood bis rapidly uttered words, and this is tho
more probable, as immediately altcrward ho read tho
announcement of an annual meoting of Plymouth
Church Society to be held on January 6, when three
trustees aro to be elected. Indeed several mc.mbers of
the church, who were present on Sunday, did not know
there would be a meeting until informed ol it by a
HKkii.D reporter. In view of this fact, and also that
few outside of tho church knew of the meeting, tho
attendance was not very larga M rs. Beecher entered
shortly before eight o'clock upon tho arm of
lier son, Colonel Henry Beecher, and followed
by the wife of the latter, with Dr. Edward Beecher a
little in the roar. Punctually at eight o'clock, the
bour appointed lor the opening of the meeting, Mr.
Beecher entered in company with Rev. Dr. Georgo
Bacon, son of Dr. Leonard Bacon, Moderator of tho
former Congregational Council. Scarcely had the pas
tor entered when ho wua approached by Brother
McKay, who is known us one of Mr. Beecher's
?taunchest friends and whose vehemence in the defence
Bl tho latter has secured for him the sobriquet of tho
''Fighting Brotner." After a short and whispered con
versation with Mr. Beecher the brother retired to his
?eat to make way for Brother Rossi ter W. Raymond,
who also held a brief interview with tho pastor, who
stood warming his feet on one of the registers in
the floor. This conversation was somewhat longer
thun the other, but was still brief. When Mr
Raymond retired his place was immediately filled by
Moderator Edgerton, with whom Mr. Beecher held a
long and earnest conversation, after which the preacher
ascended tho platform. Mr. Edgerton took the chair
and prayer was offered by Brother R. W. Raymond.
As Mr. Shearman was not on hand some one proposed
to sing a hymn to pass the time till he arrived. While
the matter was under discussion Mr. Shearman entered,
and. ascending the platlorm, read the minutes ol tho
previous meeting, which were approved. Be then said,
"1 have a letter from Mrs. Muullon, which she sent to
Mr Tilney, as clerk of the cnurch, not knowing, prob
ably, that his term commences ou the 3d of January."
Mr. Shearman then read the following:?
Brooslvw. Dee. lSTS.
Dkar Sir?I have been ver.r reluctant to write uny lurther
to tlie weinhera of I'lymoulh church, a* my lust Iciter was
refused a rcadim; before them, on the motion of Mr. Beeclier,
?Iter the clerk hud told them publicly that it was In his
bauds. niul a* much violent feeling whs excited by it after it
was published. But I have wished very much, and still wish,
to have the proposal contained in the inclosed memorandum
considered by the church or the committee, and to know >1'
they will agree to it. Will you, twretore, have the kindness
to present it for nie, and to inform me of their answer?
lours. v.-iytrnlv, KMVA VISION.
All Titos- J. i'li.NKV, I'lerk of Plymouth uhurt li.
HKMOItAntll'll.
1 know very well. and bare known from the l>eginning,
that 1 can only jumifr myself for my long and intentional
absence from the services of the chinch by showing fully the
reasons which moved me to it. This, therefore, 1 proposed
to do in my first letter to the church In which I asked for a
council, chosen by both pnitles, before which the church
should state the reasons for its action and I should state the
reasons lor mine, and which should judge Impartially ol'
?Oth.
The ehnrch appeared to agree to this proposal, but at the
lame meeting, without the slightest conference with me,
??id with a basic which struck me as strange. It adopted ilie
questions which It would Insist on having presented lo such
? council. I have considered these questions, and. as I un
Irisland them, they give me nochance at all lo show why I
van so lon_' absent from the church, I do not see how they
Biuld well 1 avo been framed more carefully to prevent me
om doing this. Yet this is the mo t important thing in my
Whole case. Still I did not object to there questions, but I
ssked that others be added to ihem, nnder winch I could
Ihow Just wtty I had done a& I had. and so could justify my
tell if my reasons were found suflicient.
This request the committee deliberated upon a good
wtiih'. and then recommended that it be refused. The
iburch, accordingly, refused it with a good deal of vehe
m.ence, and I seem to be allowed no voice whatever in
framing the question* which are to be submitted for myself
as well as for the church to the council. I am not certain
that I know what my rights are in such a matter, but this
really seems to me oppressive and wholly one sided. I can
not even tell the council what it is on which I want to havo
Its opiuion.
1 still desire. however. It possible, to state my case, and to
have the church stale its MM before such a body chosen by
both parties, and so large iu number und respectable In
character that it will secure public confidence.
Al, then, the questions arranged by the church are not
satisfactory to me. giving me no opportunity to show the
reasons for my course, and as the question* opposed by mo
are not acceptable to the church, 1 propose that tbe council
i>e convened with no distinct questions before It except
these two which are both contained iu my first letter, to
which the church was understood to agree :?
The action of the church in dropping m" frotn its member- !
ship as it did?are its reasons for this valid and sufficient t
My action in sbfairunK "i> long from the services and
lacraments of the church while 1 (lid not wish to withdraw
bom its membership?were my reasons for this valid and
suflicient 1
Either the one or the other of these questions might be
ronsidereri first by the council, ss it should deem best. But
J should wish both to he considered, and such recommenda
tion* to be made by the council to either party as it should
lee lit
If the church is willing, as I at first understood it to be, to
meet me on this ground. before such a council. I shall be
fled It it is not, 1 suppose i must seek other means for
hat vindication ol myself, of whicn, in the en I, I feel as
pure as I do of Hod's justice ,
1 think I ought t< add that the latest attack made on mo
In the letter or the church, declaring that I had been as ir
regular and uncareful in mj church attendance Deb re 1871
as since, is wholly without foundation iu fact < r in aiiy testi
mony which 1 lin e gtvi n. It seems Hi me to have been a
mere afterthought, a? the previous letter ol the church made
no mention ol any ?uch charge But If the committee thiuk
they have any proof jf it 1 shall be perfectly ready to have it
presented to the council.
1 desire io add. also, that my statement that I had long
ago declared to a leading member and officer of the church
that Mi. Beecher's crime wus adultery, stid that both ho and
Mrs Tilton bad confessed It to me, Is striclly true, and baa
been confirmed uiore than once by the gentleman to whom
I referred. EMMA C MOULTON.
BKPORT 0? THE EXAMINING COMMITTEE.
The Kxamlning Committee hereby respectfully re
port:?That in pursuance of the order of tbe church at
Iho lust session of lie annual meeting a memorandum
made by Mra. Emma C. Moulton and received by the
tlerk ol the church at a late hour on Christmas Day
has been laid before the committee. In this memoran
ium Mra. Moulton complains that the question* ex
tracted by the church from her first letter of Novem
ber l'J are unsatisfactory to her, and assert* that they
five her no chance at all to *how why she was so long
absent from the church. The church, on Its part,
having declined to accept the four question* framed by
Mr*. Moulton in her later letter, *he now propose*
that all the questions heretofore suggested be with
Irawn, nod thai two questions only be submitted to
the council, which are iu substance as follows:?
First, whether the reasons of the church Tor drop
ping hi t were sufficient, anil, second, whether her ron
tons for abandoning tbe services of the church were
sufficient. The committee has Irom the first been
anxious to secure the call ol a mutual council upon
Mr*. Houston's oase. For this purpose the church
adopted all the Issues which could possibly be ex
tracted from Mrs. Moulton's first letter, and no fair
minded person of ordinary intelligence and accustomed
to judge ol the meaning of language can fall to see that
the six questions which the church agreed
to submit to the mutual council covered all
and more than a I the issues which Mrs. Moulton
ha* now selected lor submission. The church, In pro
posing the acceptance of those questions, did so with
full knowledge that they did, and with a deliberate In
tention that they should, put it in tbe power ol the
mutual council, when called, ttf open as broad a Held of
investigation as any one could possibly desire. When
Mrs. Moulton sought to add lo these questions lour
other*, this committee ?us extremely desirous ol ac
repting those also, If possible, and the delay in advising
the church was caused by its earnost desire to reconcile
llie acceptance ol Mra Moulton's questions with tho
digmiy and self-respect of the church. The committee
finally advised against the acceptance of these tines
lions, not because they broadened the issue, but
because they tended to narrow it and to limit
the council by the assumption of certain statements as
fects which the committee and the church agreed in
Selicvlng were not facts.
The church 1i*r never suggested any questions of Its
twn devising 11 has simply attempted to put into
rroper form Hie isfiips presented by Mrs Moulton In
er own letters. The present action of Mrs. Moulton
Hi withdrawmv all Questions heretofore suggested hv
her and In proposing two qoMtiosi wliteb are free from
the objection of assuming lacts, as was the case IB her
former proposal, offers as opportunity to secur# a mo*
?tual council, of which this committee gladly ?^ail?
itself, and while her proposed questions are somewhat
objectionable In form, il not in Hubstanc*, yet the com
'mlUeo unanimously recommend that these objections
should be ov?l?OJw<L au4 IU?t for (he purpose of avoid
ing (he possibility ?/further c.omromay^K? Mod
ton's questions should lit "f v??^f
word for word, and that the letter missive should be so
framed as to take In those questions without the
slightest alteration. Notwithstanding tho course
of Mr*. Moulton in refusing to comply with
tho Request of the church to meet tho
Examining Committee lor conference as to tho number
and names of churches to be called, and iu undertak
ing by correspondence to tlx tho number ot churches,
seems to the committee uu usual and irregular, yet they
I recommend Mat the number of churches to be invited
' be at once fixed in accordance with the number specl
licd by Mrs. Moulton. ?
The committee had hoped to make such arranpe
! ments as to allow the counc il 10 be convened in tlie
first week of January; but. as circumstances appear to
make this Impracticable, tfcey now recommend that the
assembling of the Advisory Council bo postponed until
alter tho Mutual Council can be held, which if no fur
ther and unexpected delays occur should be on the
second week of January.
The committee recommend the adoption of the fol
lowing resolutions:?
Kesolved, That this church accedes to the request of Mrs.
KmuiaC. Moulton for the call of a mutual council to advise
tins church and Mm. Moulton upon the two questions sub
mitted by her in her memorandum of Hecembcr ^5,1875,
which uru In the following wont*'The action i f the
clmrcb in dropping me from Its membership aa it did?are
its reasons for this valid and sucfltient ? My actiou in ab
staining en long from the services and sacraments of the
church, while 1 did not wish to withdraw from its member
ship--were my reasons lor this valid and suflicient t"
Resolved, That a special committee of fire be appointed
by the Moderator, who shall have power and authority in
the miinc and on behalf of this church to prepare
and is ue the letters missive for the calling of
the Mutual Council hereby assented to. and that the
committee are directed to meet at such time and place to
morrow evening as shall be designated l?y the chairman of
i the committee, and tho clerk of the church ia hereby directed
| to notify Mrs Moulton forthwith of the time ami place of
j Mich meeting, and to invite her to be present is person or by
1 her representative fur the purpose of druwiug up and signing
I the proper letter missive.
Keaolved, That tlie said committee are hereby fully
authorised and directed to select the chnrcbcs and ministers
to be convened iu mutual council, to the number heretofore
specified by Mrs. Moulton, and to issue the letters missive to
an equal number oi churches and ministers to be named y
Mrs. Moulton, end they ere farther directed to appoint the I
i meeting ot the said council tor the earliest practicable day. j
Kesoh ed, That the oler* of this chnrch is hereby instructed |
to forward a copy of these resolutions immediately to Mrs. |
i Moulton.
The report and resolutions wcro accepted and
Adopted.
Mr, Beecher then offered tho following resolution:?
Unsolved, That a committee of eeven appointed to rail an
advisory council In the name of the church arc hereby in
I structed to fix the day tor tin' assembling of that council at .
least one week after the assembling of the Mutual Council in >
i which this church bus agreed to unite.
Mr. Hay mend then asked if an interval of one week
between the calling of tho councils would permit the re
recall of one council to become known before calling
tho second. He thought that there should he a longer
; intervul.
I Mr. McKay set Mr. Raymond right by explaining
that there had been no time specified for the meeting
of the Mutual Council, that the resolution calling for it
providing tli.it it should be at least one week alter the
meeting of the Advisory Council.
Mr. Beecber indorsed thin interpretation of the reso- .
lutton and Mr. Kaymond was satisfied.
Rossiter VV. Raymond us-ked whether any day had j
j been ilxed by the committee of the church for the '
; meeting of tho council.
Mr. Boecher replied that no date bad been fixed, !
although by the way in which the document was
printed it so appearod there were. It was not the fault
| of the reporters that it xrns so, for it appeared in the
j resolutions that the council was to be called on the sec
! oud Tuesday in January. "Bllt," he added, "that
; was only for consideration and I think
? it was so pencilled in the margin of the document
| which was handed to tho reporters, and they took it as
I they found it, without being aware that the dale was
optional.
Professor R. W. Raymond stated that there had been
a marginal note to the elfect that the dale was not defi
nite.
Mr. Shearman moved to amend the resolutions call
ing for the council so as to ilx the date of thai council j
at lea*l one week later than the date which may be
fixed tor the lirst council. The amendment wao ac
I ccpted.
! Mr. King said:?Suppose the first one sits more
than ono wcok. shall we have them both together?
Or. Edward Beecber explained that it was the inten
tion of the committee wbo drafted the resolutions that
at least one week should elapse, and as many more as
may bo hereafter thought proper.
By request the resolution offered by Mr. Beecher was
read agaia.
MIC BEECHKil 6 SPEECH.
Mr. Moderator?It may seem strange to a great
many persons that this cburcn should spend so many
meetings and bo much time in corresponding with a
lady and that It h.ul better cut short its work m
righteousness and go on. I liuvu received some letters
o! that import. Now, let me - ay in regard to this mat
ter that il there has becu one thing in the history of
Plymouth church which t? characteristic of it, it has
becu the uiidernei-s fe d curu'.uiness with which
it has regard: lilt > .fL-1 ?>( .it* leafcl nicmiitr,
arid that the TCTy pflwS* of the church, and the
magnitude of tho church, and the great sphore In
which It moves, so tar from having ever been op
pressively used, has Letii ail the time held in and re
strained, lo t in some way we should tread upon any
inadvertently. Yet, when it is the interest of our
adversaries to attack us in one way they always allege
that we do not disciplino our members?that we do not
do anything; and when it is to their Interest to repre
sent another phase, they toy that we aro carrying on a
course that is oppressive to our members.
Now, in regard to the wholo career of this church, it
has attempted lo act as if it was a household, and not
an imperial government. And it has attempted to ad
minister even discipline in the spirit of household alfec
tion, not in executive nor legislative power, such as
the civil Stales had. We don't believe that Christ's 1
Church is to be organized as a kingdom like that, but
that it is organized as a household in which love is
predominant and discipline itsclt is a!!ection
ate. And, when allcctionato discipline can no
longer do anything, our theory of dropping
members is that the church must Ireo itself from tho j
fulfilment of obligations which it can no longer fu 1111.
That Is the meaning of dropping them, as I understand i
it, though I am now shaking simply for myself. |
There is another matter pertaining to our correspon
dence with Mrs. Moulton. While her rights are sacred
as those of any other single person would be, no
matter in what position In society?whether a j
man, woman or child?and while wo do j
not think we demean ourselves in considering
carefully whatever any of our aggrieved members may
have to say, yet that is not tlic main reason that has
made this church act with so much consideration and
so long patience. We know perlectly well that Mrs.
Moulton is but the occasion, and that the power lies
behind and in other hands than hers. (Applause.) And
we arc perfectly well aware that It is an unscrupulous
power. (Applause.) Wo are perfectly convinced
that It Is a power which has watched for op
portunity to trip this church, and that, being in
the presence o( a wary and experienced and unscrupu
lous adversary, it becomes this church to consider every
step it takes carelully. That is the reason why we
have attempted to give to this whole correspondence so i
much thought and so much care. And now in regard j
to the calling of an advisory council, the calling of
which has excited so much feeling, and which has
called out a protest, or what is entitled
"IN TUB NATURE OF A FROTMT."
In regard to that Advisory Council, let me s?y, onco
for all, that this church calls that council because it has
come lo that point In its history In which it intends to j
lake its own business into its own hands and not have i
it shot In on it. (Applause.)
We intend especially not to be harassed by a long line
of councils, callud, not by disalleclitig members of tho
church, but by adversaries working through disaffected
members. (Applause.) There was a council for Mrs.
Moulton; there was another for Mr. Welt. There was
another brother that declared to the Examining Com- 1
mittee that be should call a council. There was an- j
other council that loomed up. It was quite possibly
that a filth might come, and there seemed to bo before
us the prospect of a long line of mutual councils. For
our experience had taught us that there would not bo
one single thing treated Justly or generously in respect
to this church, but that every opportunity that could
bo foaDd to ii^Jure it would be sedulously taken and
followed up; and we determined, therefore, that we
would clear ourselves of tho evil of all
these petty strlles by calling a council to large, mado
up ol men so well known aud of such high standing in
the denominational churches that to them we would bo
willing to submit any qaestion that any mortal man
might choose to at>k about this church (applause); that
we would turn our books iuside out and submit our
selves to all inquisitorial questions even, If they !
chose to ask them; if when that council had made
Its declaration they would give us pcaco. I
Wo do not war against any other churches; we are not I
stealing sheep out of their folds; we are not watching 1
them aggressively; we are In no way bollicoso, nor
have we ever been. There never was a church that
pursued its appropriate business more quietly. It is
not we who are making trouble; It Is the namo of fel
lowsbtp, perverted, turned into an engine of oppres
sion, that we intorlered with and hindered from
our appropriate business; and 1 declare It to bo
a crime and a shame that this community
should be rent and families Oiled as they have been
with trouble and sorrow, and a year's work hindered,
narrowed, impeded, (or no justifiable reasons. (Ap
plause. )
This church wants only this?liberty to pursue Its
spiritual work unvexedand unhindered, and that liberty
it means to have. (Applause.) I hold in my hand an
artlclo which appeared in the Congregatinnalist last
week. It Is prefaced editorially as follows;?
We desire to call the very serious attention of all thought
ftl reader* to the oommui.icattou entitled "In the Nature or
j a Protest," on the next pa?* It the result of a compari
| son of vi.ws between severalI gentlemen of larte experience
in Congregationalism aad ot the very highest standing be*
fore o?r churches, wh<wre names, did we feel at liberty In
j give them, would at once arrest attention aud
awaken confidence. W e were not aware of
I their intent of conference nor of it* ianue, until the reaalt
j tlicrcol win offered to our column*; but we are very triad to
! know that their attention has been given to the subiect
W hlle it iwrni te us that their Jud|(ment. which is very
clearly es|>rctsed, Is entirely Talr, candid *nd Just, and that
I the extraordinary eourse which Plymouth church I* now In
[ such ha>?a to take, should be examined in all ill bearings be
fore It receive the frtneral Indorsement.
Look at that title. If this was a protest, why didn't
they call it "a protest?" If It weren't a protest why
did they say "in the nature of a protest ?" Is It some
thing on the way toward a protest? Typhoid and not
typhus
Mr. Hhearman?Thai's very natnral process.
Mr. Beecber (Continuing)?Well, who are these gen
tlemen? And since this it a "very important qucs
lion" in the Judgment of the CongrrgationaJitt, and
since be declares tbal if their names were known it
would add great weight to this communication, why,
id the name of heaven, were their names not put
to the t>aj*r ? Who are these men who complain
anont tie affaire of Plymouth church, aud do not
dar? to sign what they write? An anonymous protest
with the editor to utj Uial if l*K'y
were it would make the protest worth pon\etlung.
daughter). Now, bv any reasonable calculation,
thin paper W&ts published on the 23d of December,
it most have been printed at leuxt one hut before its '
JB&kjiig the date the '22d, and a? our action ,
loot place on itie 17ih, and there was only, therefore,
lour or five days between the action oi the church ;
aud this publication, wli ch must have been
sent en tune oaoagh to have b?en rend
and let op, namely, leaving only about four
days. Who arc these partu > then that could j
aMvemble and In the space oi lour days confer and draw j
up their "In the nature of a protect," and get it into ,
the hands of the l'onQrfgatihna<\*t
Mr. lleecher criticised at length the article referred to |
and continued, "Now, my brethren, let mo tell you why j
we appointed the council us we did. We believed that i
they were offering us a mutual couur.il in the 1
belief that we would not take it; and that
what they wanted was an rx-parte council, and we
offered those resolutions hoping that it would produce
the result which they have, und they have brought that
letter, mild as milk, with an agreement of coming to a
mutual council. The speaker went on to explain
that tho advisory council was not culled to
avoid tho mutual council, and com hided by
saving that Plymouth Church would tet an
example ot fraternal sympathy aud would show
that she conducted her affaire with a great deal more
harmony than other churches of not a tenth part of
her magnitude.
The resolutions were adopted unanimously. Mr.
Shearman moved that "a special committee of Ave be
authorized to call an advisory council, and be empow
ered to amend the letter missive by making any
formal changes that may appear to them to bo
necessary and which they may think tit by limiting
the scope of the questions to the affairs ol'this church."
The resolution was carried and the following gentle
men appointed as the committee:?Or. Kdward
Beecher, Kossiter W. Haymond, Thomas U. Shearman,
B. T. Ulair arid T J. Tilmey.
The meeting then adjourned until after the close of
the monthly business meeting on Friday night.
THE BIBLE IN THE SCHOOLS.
MEETING LAST NIGHT?TEE BIBLE SUSTAINED
AND THE POLICY OP EOME DENOUNCED.
"Shall the Bible be Excluded from Our Public
Schools?" was the subject of several addresses deliv
ered lust evening In the Presbyterian church located on
Forty eighth street, between Eighth nnd Ninth ave
nues. There was an exceedingly large and appreciative
audience present, who seemed in perfect sympathy
with the speakers, and who heartily applauded every
good point they made. Tbo meeting opened with
prayer, followed by tho singiug of the forty sixth
psalm.
tub first speaker.
The Rev. Dr. Kirkpatrlck, pastor of the Twenty
fifth street Presbyterian church, was then intro
duced. The gentleman said:?It is tho duty of one
and all of us to take this question of the Bible in our
public schools deeply to heart, because if popular opinion
can bo sufficiently aroused no power could restrain it,
and thero could be found thousands upon thou
sands who would arise to defend "the truth," if need
be with their lives. The question of the Bible in tho
public schools is already a great ono, but Is destined to
become still greater. It is a solemn subject, for in it
is wrapt the most momentous Issues. We have ene
mies banding together to exclude the Bible and we
must at once recognize the lact that God's children
have God's truth to protect. We must use our hearts
and minds and means to educate that which makes
and unmakes tho destiuy of every nation ?. e. dodu
iur opinion. Public opinion is the law of our land- it
controls everything, it is tho sentiment of the com
munity that regulates the commonwealth. With a
healthy public sentiment our institutions will Brow and
improve in strength and influence, but with a corrupt
public sentiment they will be ruined by dishonest men
and corrupt and scheming politicians. Our business
therefore is to educate and reform this popular senti
ment by elevatiDg tho public nnnd and heurt ana to
engender among tho people a respect and reverence for
thnu.Ki r. Ho*,c"we do this? By excluding
the Bible iroiu our public schools? Certainly not Wo
must make '
*0 CONCESSION TO RonR.
npver yield to the demands of the priests
The Catholics are now complaining; they will continue
to complain, and I regret to find that
some Protest an is are ol tho opinion that
we ought to yield to their desires in this
case, simply to close their mouths. I assure every ono
present that this concession will lead to another. Our
government has fed Rome too much already Homo's
greedy maw is never filled. Her cry is nlw'avs
lor more. "Give; Give I" is her const/nt
auil eternal cry. She demanded tho dis
?ndowment of tho Episcopal Church in Trelnnd
ol the British Parliament: it was granted, Lmt Rome
was not satisfied even then. She next demanded that
the allowance grunted by the government to the i'rori
byterians iu Ireland should be Mmuited. Gladstone
was said to have been serving the Pope while tbeso
b.lls were pending, and it is sax) that ho was simply a
ruinion of Rome. Whether this be true or false I can
not say, but the Church succeeded in securing its de
mands. ?
CATHOLIC POLICY.
The Catholics aru throwing themselves back upon
the policy of Daniel O'Connell, which is one of agiia
tiou?constant, unceasing agitation. "Make it so hot
lor the government that it will accede finally to our de
mands simply to get rid of us and close up our mouths.
1 bat is the policy tho Catholics nro to-dav pursuing In
relation to tho Bible and our public schools They
think by agitating ttmquestion, by constantly demand- !
ing aconc.ssiou, they will so weary our law makers
that the latter will yield to their demands.
Ue must concede them nothing more; the time h;is
come when wo must resist. The history ol tho Catho
ic I burch is the same under all conditions in everv
hind; "get all you can and keep, but never give "
Yield them one thing and they will immediately demand
another. Lltramontamsm never has been and never
will be satisfied. It we put out the Bible from the pub
lic schools they would not rest content. Their next de
mand would be, "Give us the public schools, and let us
conduct them in the manner we detm best."
THK GREAT BOOK.
The Bible is tho greatest of all books. It is a most
catholic book, a book for man under all conditions
wherever you llnd him. How are mou governed??
rirst, as a physical machine, and, second, as a moral
agent. Train a man as a machine, and you must ever
deal with bun as such, as a party dovoid ol intelligence
and incapable of a noblo thought. A physical machine
will recognize nothing but physical force, and hence
you must guard the man by the police and by the other
instruments oi justice. Therefore, if children aro to be
trained In our public schools without tho influence of
tho blessed Bible, what sort of men and women
are they going to be when they
up T Creatures who must bo controlled solely bv brute
force. But if you train them with the Bible you will
engender in them right sentiments, you bring into olav
another power i. e., a mind consc ous of right, and
which will be overflowing with pure thoughts and lofty
sentiment*. Wherever I have gone in this country I
j have louud the Bible. In the hospitals, in the steam
boats, in the hotels?everywhere you travel, whether
by land or by water, you llnd the sacred book. In what
| public place is it not ? and shall it alone bo absent Irom
our public schools F Never, it is the foundation of
your liberty, the guarantee of your f>oedom, the corner
stone of your glorlo is Rebubllr, Asyou train yonryotith
so do you shape the destinies of your government
TUK OTUBH EXKRClBKIi.
The oration, of which the above Is a rart was vnrv
eloquently and gracefully delivered. It was followed
i,.tnoi;i!er sl)?ech- delivered by tbe Rev. Mr. Cronin
of the Thirty-third Street Mission. It was of the flrev'
impetuous style, dealing in broad generalities and all
sorts ol rhetorical flights. The earnestness of tho
speaker, however, claimed a liberal share of attention
and won for bim an occasional round or applau?e The
theme of the remarks was that when the Pilgrim
Fathers arrived In this country the doctrines of the
Bible was the guide of their lives and trie basis of tho
colony they formed. Other addresses followed after
which a collection was taken up. '
A CONFLAGRATION IN WESTCHESTER.
Shortly after two o'clock on Sunday afternoon
flames were seen Issuing from a wooden cupola on
the largo Ave story brick building known as the Hudson
River Sugar Refinery, at Hastings, Westchestor county.
The Are spread with such rapidity that In a short time
the entire works were a hissing, seething mass. As
tbe villago possessed no adequate moans of checking
tbe progress of the fire, a telegraphic message was tent
to Yonkcrs, asking for assistance. It also seemed at
one time as though nothing could save the railroad
depot and a number of ffeight cars standing near the
burning pile. A despatch was accordingly sent to
Railroad, asking what should be done. To this
however, no answer was returned. Meantime the
i nVP th?extenBl ve building, With
Its contents. A small hotel, also owned by tho same
company, and situated adjoining tho sugar refinery,
I Ur'>' RDd WIW w,loll7 d??lroyed in un inere.1
J ibly short spaeo of time. A fire engine from Yonkers
1 nfil 7 ** th0 w*lls of the Immonse building
| fell In, and, of course, too late to be ol any service In
| less than three hours from the time when the fire was
s "J81 discovered tbo entire building was in ruins A pilo
i JC!!nl' co?Ulnln* 2,000 tons, also took fire..
and burned fiercely all the afternoon and night Yes
( terday morning tbe fire steamer John Poller In
I HiS0u?r.. t0u * telegram, left this city for
Hastings where she arrived about seven o'clock, and
soon bad four large streams of water pouring on the
I burning coal. The steamer remained pumping water
*1! and, lfu,t ""fining it was believed
that the Are had been placed under control. The own
i" ?f burned building are Messrs Kalteihorn.
Hopke, Offerman 4k Doscber, of No. 102 Wall street. It
was estimated at Hastings yesterday tbat the loss will
?*>ort of $1 000.U00. on wW.h there Eabout
*.100,000 insurance. More than 300 workmen have
been thrown out of employment by the casualty.
SUICIDE.
Robert Joocs, who was in the employ of tbe New
Jersey Central Railroad Coupany, swallowed a dose of
nitric nciil yesterday and was taken to his home in
OBITUARY.
BEV. ISAAC T. WHITE, OF NBWPOBT, B. I.
The tolling of Trinity church boll in Newport, R. I. *
yesterday morning, 27tb Inst., signified that the Rev_
Isaac P. White, rector of tha| church, whose critical
condition wirt linnoTllleetf the 1TSfill.fr, &*SJ
away. He waa confined to his house since his visit uf
New York, a few weeks ago, to attend the funeral ol
Mrs. John Winthrop Chanter, one of his summer par
ishioners. WU1I0 hero be caught a severe cold, which
resulted in ty{ hoid pneumonia, and caused his deuth.
Rev. Dr. White was born m Sunderland, England, July
17, 1818, and wan in hia fifty-eighth year. He was edu
cated at Cambridge and was prepared for the ministry
by the Dean ol Peterborough. Karly in life he bad
charge of a parish In the lisle of Jersey, where be
preached alike in French and English. Subsequently
he moved to Canada, where he had a parish twelve miles 1
from Montreal. Prom thero bo was called to the
Cathedral o( Montreal, where he held tho office of
canon at the time that he was called to the rectorship
of Trinity church, Newport, K. 1. Ho first became
known in Now Yi rk at the time of a visit that he made
to Rev. Or Balch. The Episcopal Convention was in
session at that time, and Canon White wan introduced
to the clergy of the diocese. During bis stay he
preached once in Trinity church, in response to tho In
vitation of me renor. The following spring there was
a vacancy in the rectorship of Trinity church, and in
the course of the summer a unanimous call was sent to
Canon White to ,ake charge of tho parish. After due
consideration he accepted the call in the autumn. His
first sermon, as lector, was preached on the third Sun
day in Advent, ]???, and his last sermon was preached
from tho same text, though it was not the same
sermon, on the third Sunday in Advent, 1875,
his ministry having extended ovc exactly niue years.
Ho was a I'ailhnil and laborious pastor, and there was
not a family :ihis extensive parish in whom he did
not take a pernnal interest, and whoso welfare he
did not seek to fromoto. Under his administration h;a
parish has enioycd unusual prosperity. To the poor
he was especialiy ondcarcd, and leaves, as a monu
ment to his rtemory, a largo and nourishing church,
Kay chapel, anu a mission just completed in a suction
of the city where there was no nouse of worship. Ho
was a great wo.-<er for the good of his people, and no
man in the community will bo missed more than he,
especially by ib? largo number of tho summer resi
dents who mate Newport their homo and Trinity
church their place of worship.
All day yesUirday telegrams were received by
his afflicted "w'fs from friends in different parts of
the country oft-rini? condolence and sympathy. Dr.
White leaves a wile, but no children. By his first
wife, who died several years ago in Montreal, he bad
several cbildrei, but they are also dead. His funeral
occurs on Thursday, 30th inst., and the remains will
be interred in Kewport. It trill bo largely attended
by clergymen from abroad. It is a singular fact
that Mrs. ChanlT caught cold at tho funeral of her
grandfather, Wiliam B. Astor, and Dr. White while in
attendance at her funeral.
HON. W. A. RICHARDSON, EX-CNITED STATUS
SENATOR.
Hon. W. A. lichardson died of paralysis, at his
home in Qu..uy, 111., yesterday morning, tho 27th
inst. Colonel Hlchardson served five terms in the
House of Representatives at Washington and was
elected to fill tto vacancy In the United States Senate
occasioned by the death ol Hon. Stephen A. Doug
as. His age wis sixty-four years.
ArGUSTVS MATTHEW.
A cable telegram from London, under date of the 27th
Inst., announces the occurrence of the death of
Augustus Mayh?w. the well-known contributor to
Punch and abie coadjutor of his brothers, Horace and
Henry, In the production of the "Brothers Mayhew
Series." The brothers were all distinguished in" con
temporary Errjlsh literature.
Henrv, who wis born in 1812, was the principal organ
izerand worker. In 1811 he assisted in establishing the
London J'uuch. Augustus, now deceased, aided him
with great abitltr as a writer. His series of Christmas
stories and othtr works, printed Irom tho year 1848 to
the year 1866 bus had a wide circulation, and attained
for the writer* a world wide reputation. Augustus was
tho fifth Orotner He was a roost industrious contribu
tor to periodica literature. In the year 1861 he pub
lished, under his own n:.me, "Finest Ulrl In Blooms
bury;" In 1858. "Kitty I-atnero;" In the samo year
?'Paved with Hod. or the Romance and Reality of Lon
don Streets," ?ppeared, and in 18t)6 and 18?K? were
printed "Faces lor Fortune" and "Blow Hot aud Blow
Cold."
BEV. GEORGE E. ADAMS, D. D.
The Rev. George E. Adams, D. D., died at his resi
dence In Orange. N. J., on Christmas Day. The deceased
was born in Bangor, Me., in 1801, and was for forty
years pastor of a church at Brunswick, Me., which was
the chapel of Bowduin College. On account of ill health
he removed many years ago to Orange, N. J., and,
without ceasing his connection with tho church in
Brunswick, officiated at the Brick church lor three
months. On tto formation of Trinity church, some
five yt?r-. ?.? was called to tho pastorate, accepting
it lor ? tvrm o? ttve years, as ho did not think heo ouid
t>e useful after the lapse of that period. Dr. Adams had
been sulioring from an acute malady for some time, and
was confined lo his house. Fur the last few weeks he
sunk rapidly, and finally died ofexhanstion on Saturday.
Dr. Adarns was a writer for the press for many years
arid was much admired for his social qualities. He was
twice married, his second wile being a sister of the cele
brated l?r. George T. RooL He was very widely known
and was much esteemed by all who knew him.'
SISTER THEOPOSIA MACMAHON.
After a long and tedious illness Sister Theodoxia
MucMahon. one of tbo listers la chargo of the 8L Joseph
Hospital, Patcrson, N. J., died a day or so since in ttiat
institution. She was a nativo of Ireland and twenty
five years of age. She was much beloved by all who
Knew ber and her whole life was a continual illustra
tion of charity and good work. Solemn requiem mass
was held over her remains in Hie hospital rliapel by the
Kev. William McNnlty, and tbo altar was appropriately
draped In mourning.
THE POLICE JUSTICES.
IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE BOARD?ASSIGN
MENTS FOR THE SPECIAL SESSIONS.
The Board of Police Justices held their annual meet
ing last night at Washington Place Police Court. Jus
tice Kilbreth presided, and all tho Justices were pres
ent except Messrs. Wheeler and Morgan. Jtulgo Kil
breth, as chairman of the committee, submitted tho
annual report, which was adopted.
The Hoard then, by resolutions, made the following
assignments of polico justices to preside at tho Court
of Special Sessions during the ensuing year:?
January.?Justices Smith, Wheeler and Otterbourg.
February Justices Flammer, Duffy and WandcIL
March.?Justices Kilbreth. Smith and Murray.
April.?Justices Wheeler, Wandell and Murray.
May.?Justices Murray, Morgan and Otterbourg.
June ?Justices Uixby, Kilbreth and Wandell.
July.?Justices Morgan, Wheeler and Smith.
August.?Justices Dully, Kasinirc and Murray.
September.?Justices Otterbourg, Uixby ami Morgan.
October Justices Kasinire, Kilbreth and Flammer.
November.?Justices Wandell. Murray and Morgan.
December.?Justices Flammer, Dully and K&siulre.
Judge Murray moved that Judgo Bixby be elected
President of the Board for 1870, and bo was unani
mously elected.
On motion of Judge Smith Ma|or George W. Cooney
was unanimously elected Secretary.
A resolution was carried that the police Justices ro
tate on the 1st of May next to the several police courts
in the city, lor lour months each, and that no justice
sit at one court twice In succession.
SMALLPOX IN BROOKLYN.
On Friday evening last Emma Burger, six years of
age, residing at No. 70 Union avenue, next door to St
Peter's Evangelical church, died of virulent smallpox,
and at bait past nine on Saturday morning the fact was
telegraphed to the Health Board by the Sixth precinct
police, with the request for the prompt removal of tho
body.
On Satnrday morning I.ouis Ruff, aged sixty years,
residing at No. 21 Selgol street, died ol the same disease i
and tbe Health Board were duly notified of the fact and j
requested to remove the body.
Ou Sunday morning neither body had been removed, <
and a notification was again gent and repeated at three
P. M., when it was stated, in addition, that Hull had
neither money nor friends. Neither ol the bodies had
beeu removed up to seven P. M. on Sunday, when Rev.
J. M. Wagner, on be ball ol his congregation, addressed
a letter to Captain Kaiser, asking why the body ol the
child Km ma hurger had not been removed, as from
its position it wuh likely to communicate the disease to
many. Yesterday morning no movement having been
made by the Health Board, Cnptuin Kaiser per
sonally went to the oQlce and earnestly re
quested them to at once bury the corpus,
which they finally agreed to do, but not before a great
dual of porsuasion bad been used; atv?t shortly before ,
noon the bouios were removed for interment.
The feeling fn the Sixteenth ward, in which the
population is 38,000 and In which tho disease is most
prevalent, Is very bitter, and tbe citizens there charge
the Board of Health with being to some considerable
extent responsible for the spread of the disease aud its
continuance as an epidemic in the Eastern District.
HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS HUE.
To tur Editor or th? Hkralb-?
1 learn to-day In your notice ol the Trenton,
aboat to be launched at this navy yard, that the credit
lor tho design and superintendence of the work upon
that ship was given to me. The ship was designed at
tho Navy Department by Chief Naval Constructor Han
scorn. The workmanship, until very recently, was un
der the immediate supervision of Naval Constructor
William I* Hanscom, retired. It M my wish, as a mat
ter of Justice to the gentlemen just named, that the
public tie informed that I gave no permission for the
use of my name connected with their work, and knew
nothing of its publication until my attention was called
to it to-day. 1 am, very respectfully, your obedient
Mriut. KAMlifcl. H. POOK.
"VENEZUELA.
i
GENERAL COLJNA AT THE BEAD OW A W.fOLC
tionart movement? the defeated chief
tain RESUMES HIS STRENGTH? HE AMAIN IN
VADKS HIH NATIVE COUNTBX.
Nkw riUifibaifCE, St^ti ok Guana, I
Venezuela, Ni>v 23, I87i>. {
News of great importance baa just reached h? re.
A DANOKRITH MO V KM K NT.
General Colina, it is said, in conjunction with the
Dutch government, whether iou? Itt roses or not, ban
Invaded Venezuela. landing from Trinidad at Mator n
with a large force of men and apparatus of war.
matvbi*
is the capita) of the State of game name, and Coltna ex
pects to have many followers to join his standard, and
to then, if strong enough, invade Guiana, the largest
and richest State of tho l'nited States of Venezuela.
He is known us a had fighter, and serious
trouble may be expected. When jour corre
spondent was last in Trinidad, two mouths ago,
Colina had just arrived back from Europe, where he
went alter bis defeat at Baiquisemento by the present
President of Venezuela, Guzman Blanco, who promptly .
put down Colinu's next to latest adventure. He was
then organizing and gathering together men and arms.
AGITATING Kl'MOKS IN PKBVACH OP HIS ACTIO*.
Rumors tlew about as to his movements and as to t he
trip of tho steamer Heroe d'Abril up the onnoco. She
was reported to have been seized by Colina at the
mouth of the Orinoco, just outside of British waters,
and day after day we were startled with sensational ru
mors. Tho Hcroe was. however, not seized, and now
the word here is that Colina proposes to seize her on
her way up the Orinoco to Ciudad Bolivar, probably in
the Great Macaseo, one of tho largest of the rivers
which form the many headed delta of the mighty river
Orinoco.
WHAT EE KXPECT8 TO ACCOMPLISH.
Colina expects to conquer this rich State with its
gigantio resource#?gold mines, cattle (arms, kc.?aud
make it his headquarter* and centre of operations in
his scheme tor overthrowing the present progressive |
government of Guzman Blanco. Colina, who is ac- ,
knowlegded to be the most dangerous enetny of the )
present government, was formerly a great Iriend of ;
Guzman Blanco's, and was his right hand man when |
Blanco first rose to power.
WAS IIK BOUGHT BT TIIK OPPOSITION ?
If, as some say, he was bought oil' in the last revolu
tion, he started before this. Colina has lurnished a not
very unique example in applying the funds received to
a further prosecution of his schemes against tho gov
ernment, at present dr jurt and de facto.
A PBCK OK THOL'BI K.
Coming on top of the troubles now spoken of by
everybody which tho Venezuelan government has <>n |
hand, and has lately bad with tho l'nited Slates. Ger- :
many and Holland, this last news intensities the ex- '
Utuiiieni here, and men hardly know what to think.
FOR KIGN KUS
will If ever Coliua reaches this country?i. the i
milling district, the Department of Roscio?Uttite 10 de- |
fend their rights.
MURDER OF A COLOliED WOMAN. I
HOW A COLORED PART* SPENT CHRISTMAS?
A TRAGIC END TO A DAY'S PLEASURE?TOO
MUCH WHI8KET DRANK.
Tbkntos, N. J., Dec. 27, 1875.
The quiet village of Ewing, situated four miles north i
of this city, was aroused yesterday morning by the dis- !
eovery of a terrible tragedy, in which the victim and j
the slayer are colored people. On the afternoon of
Christmas Day, Abraham Patterson and Jane Still came ;
to this city on marketing business. They drank freely i
and purchased two bottles of whiskey, which they '
brought home. They left here about tive o'clock in tho i
afternoon In a wagon, and arrived home in a short j
time. Jane took tbo whiskey and hid it. Patterson ;
quarreled with her about it About eleven o'clock at I
night another colored man, named Dave Hubbard, came
in and found them wrangling. Patterson picked up the j
cross piece of an old bed, five leet In length, j
lour inches wide, and about an inch In 1
thickness and struck Jane three terrible
blows with it, and also kicsed her. Hubbard
was too much intoxicated to Interfere, and he went to I
sleep. About two o'clock in the morn tig Hubbard 1
awoke and found the woman outside of the door and <
Patterson in bed. He went to sleep aga:n, and at day- ,
light awoke, when he lound her lying alongside of the !
stove. He shook her and put her to bed. Patterson j
went for Dr. Scudder, who lives near the scene, and
when the latter arrived he pronounced her dead. Ho
said the cause of death was from contusions on tho !
body, and that it was hastened by excessive drinking.
Au external examination was made, and bruises and i
shoe nail marks were found on tho breast, the hips :
and the neck. Patterson then went away with his |
horse and wagon, and did not return till evening. To- i
day Squire Street, of this city, held au inquest, and ou ,
the examination of five witnesses. Including Patterson,
the jury retired, and, after a deliberation of twenty
minun s, rcndeied a verdict that the deceased died
from injuries lece.vcd ut the sfKtlli r.-.on.
One colored in .n was "n tin-jury.
Patterson and Hubbard were arrosted and locked tip
in the jail in this city. The lattor is detained as a wit
i ness.
! The slayer, after the inquest, leaned r>ver the body of
his victim, then hugged and kissed her, anil said "she
| was a bright angel in heaven." They lived together !
j for four years, were not married, and ihev were
addicted to drinking and fighting. He is about tiny
years of age, and a stout, rom.li looking darkey, and is
a carter by vocation. She was about iorty years of age. i
There is great excitement over the allair, especially
among tho colored people.
MIDNIGHT WEATHER liEFOllT.
Orvtctt op Tn* Cmar Signal OrrtcKR,
Wahhi.kitoh, Dec. 28?1 A. M. )
lYot'abilitie*.
Turing Tuesday In the South Atlantic States, north
1 f ust to southeast winds, rising barometer, cooler, partly
! cloudv weather.
I For the Gulf States, rising, followed by falling ba
! rometer, southerly wmils, warmer, cloudy weather aud
I possibly light rain.
For Tennessee, the Ohio Valley and lake region, da
| tionary or Tailing barometer, northeast to southeast
' winds, warmer, partly cloudy weather.
For the I'pper Mississippi and Lower Missouri
valleys, warmer, partly cloudy weather, followed by
; southerly winds, increasing cloudiness and falling ba
rometer.
For tho Middle and Eastern States, rising, followed
by falling barometer, northeast winds, veering to south
east, clear, cooler, followe<l by warmer weather.
For the canal region from New Jersey to Virginia,
temperatures continued freezing.
The rivers will continue rising, with dangerous floods
above Louisville.
THE WKATHEll YESTF.KDAY.
The following record will show the changes in the
temperature for the past twenty-four hours, in com
parison with tho corresponding date of lost year, as in
dicated by the thermometer at Hudnut's pharmacy,
Bail* Uuildiug
lf>74. 1875. 1874. 1875.
SA. M 36 4# 3:3t) P. M 4.i 42
(i A. M 34 48 6 P M 41 38
0 A. M 35 42 H P. M 40 33
12 M 42 42 12 P. M 42 30
Average temperature yesterday 40j?
Average temperature lor corresponding date last
year 39)?
STAUDEKAI ANN'S INSANITY.
The statement published in a morning journal yes
terday that Standermann had admitted to a reporter
and to Dolan that be was feigning insanity has led to
some further Inquiry on the subject. Dolan Is reticent
on the subject, but says he does not think Stauder
mann insane except as regards women. He describes
htm as laughing when spoken to by himself as to his
peculiar actions, and says he overheard Staudermann
tell a reporter that he was not craxy.
The physician of tho Tombs, I>r. Brckes, who
has been observing Staudermann's conduct since before
his conviction, believes him to be a (it subject lor a
lunatic asylum. Warden (Juinn says there is no change
whatever in staudertr.atin's actions since the commuta
tion of his sentence, and is convinced the man Is really
iDKnDP.
On the whole the general opinion among those who
are In a position to observe his conduct and among
mrdleal men familiar with 1 Is history, seems to bo that
there >* no room to doubt his insanity.
SUDDEN DEATH.
Mr. Charles IT. Forbe?, % well known wholesale
oyster merchant in this ci^', died suddenly last even
ing at his residence, at No. 210 Washington street,
Hoboken, of heart (flsease. The deceased was talking
with his tamily, when he gave aga*p and fell dead. He
was a defeated candidate lor the oflice of Assemblyman
on the republican ticket, fn Hoboken, In 1873. He was
a fireman of No. 1 Kngme in Hoboken. He leaves a
widow and child. Tho deceased was a very prominont
Mason and greatly respected by all who knew him.
DEATH IN A HOSPITAL.
Karl Petersen, fifty-one years of age, living in Tre
mont, Westchester county, who was brought to the
Chambers Street Hospital yesterday morning, suffering
from pneumonia, died at eight o'clock.
STABBING AFFRAY.
Francis Ryan and Joseph Cunnell quarrelled in a sa
loon last evening tn Worth street over the price of a
sandwich Kach stabbed the other several times, in
flicting severe wouuds. They were taken lu (be Cham
bers Street Howoiui.
WASHINGTON.
The Coming Tilt in Congress on tht
Currency Question.
THE RESPECTIVE CHAMPIONS
A Charge Against the Interior De<
partment Exploded.
DECISION REGARDING PPBLIC LANLfc
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT#
WasMBJtox, Dec 27, 1875.
THB CCBRENCY QUESTION BEFOBB COKOBEHB?<
THE COMING DEBATE IN SENATE AND HOCSE.
The currency question will come up m force, and
proDably in bolh houses, so in if'.er the recess. In tlif
Senate several resolution will be ottered, and thrsa
will elicit, perhaps, a long debate. lu the Huu.=e pron.U
nent membors have already put their names down fo?
the expected debate. Mr. Biaino leads the 1s t, and Mr.
Kelley, who means to reply to Mr. Bluine, comes ncxu
Mr. Chittenden, of Brooklyn, is third, and after hiia
come several democrats. It fa understood that Mr.
Elaine will lay down the republican doctrine forth?
House, and that he will urgo the finding of the green
backs. Mr. Kelley will, of course, present once mora
his well known plan, which th-i pages in the House la I
year called tho "incontrovirt'.bli bond plan." Mr,
Chittenden will present iho viow- of a New York mer
chant on the danger of contln i;n^ an inconvertibta cuiv
rency. One democrat Is to mate a plain hard mon'-y
speech, but others of that side, it is said, will demai.tS
tho extinction of tho national bank.-; and trie substitu
tion of logal lenders ??< the only currency. Th?
Speaker Is not believed to favor this plan, nnd If Mr.
Morrison, Chairman of tho Ways and Means, speaks al
all he will take strong ground for resumption at na
early day. Tho debate will ta^? p'.ai > in Comm:t#?e of
the Whole; and more of the proaaincut men in llio
House will probably be drawn into it.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
Wash:Nor/*, Dcc. .7, 1S75.
THE PRETENDED ILLEGAL EXCHANGE OF AKKAN?
SA8 BONDS FOR SCHOOL SCBFP EXPLAINLO.
Concerning a prelendea illeija! exchange of Arkansas
bonds for school scrip, in tho Interior Department, tha
facts are that the Stato bonds received were of the n* v*
issue which were required by Congren?; that
the bill to this end, which failed by
some oversight to become a law, was actually
obeyed; that Arkansas received ninety-one cents pen
acre for her school scrip, wh: ;h is more than most of
the States got, and that new SUM bonds, covering
principal and interest, due on tho old and dishonored;
bonds tor the whole amount, wer? lodged in the In
terior Department in accordance with an arrangi ment
made before the school scrip was given up and arc n>,W
there.
A SPEAKER PRO TEM. IN CASE OF MR. KER].*9
ILLNESS.
If Speaker Kerr's health should prove too poor to en
able him to preside It is probable that Mr. Lamar will
be chosen as Speaker pro Urn.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES.
WAsmxaTO*, Dec. 27,1875.
DECISIONS OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTE
BIOR REGARDING PUBLIC LANDS.
Copp't Land Owner for December report* decision! of
the Secretary of the Interior establishing the- following
principles:?
Homesteads. ?The possession of in executor or ad.
muustrator is umlor the Homest' id law Ihe passes*
fiiou of the heirs or devisee, subject to the right ol ad
ministration vested in the officer, an l the time allowed
l>y the Court for the xettiemest of ? ''i>? catate niuet bo
counted for the heir or devisee in : taking niial proof. .
Tho provisions of section iftheKevised.su?
utes are substantially complied with by coininual culti
vation lor the period ot Ave years by the fceirs or do?
viseo, personal residence not beiu; required m their
case.
At a hearing to determine tlw abandonment jn tho
ease of the deceased homestead chimnnta a certified
copy ol the will uud other matters connected therewith
may be Introduced.
/Y- rnptwm.?A mortgase unsatisfied at the date of
proof and entry defeats a pre-emption claim.
Also decisions of the Commission# ot the General
Land Office to the effect that h "Idlers now in the reg
ular army may, und''r sec tion i,29-i of the Revised
Statutes,' perform tho preliminary acts relating to
homestead entries therein mention M.
Timber Culture.? The planting of seeds or cuttings Is
not a compliance with tho Timber Culture act. but tho
General Land Office does not inquire how Hie required
trees are produced. II seeds or catlings product
healthy growing treos tho law is c >rnplif>a ? ,th
A timber culture settlor may relinquish a portion of
the land embraced In his entry and hold the re
mainder.
Salt Springs ?The existence of i salt, sprinp on ?
tract of land wiilulnws it from the operation of tl.a
Homestead and Pre-emption tews, vide sections 2,2.'.S
and 2,28ft Revised Statutes. A hearing lor the patpt o
of proving the agricultural character of such laud ;a
not allowed.
Mineral Lands and R iilmad Grants?The question,
Can lands conuiuii.g valuable deposits ol raaa, chun
ing, if agricultural, to the Union i'aciflc Railroad, ho
patented under the Mining law? was answered:?Firul^
lands containing valuable deposits of mica may be i ?t
cnted under the Mining law of May 10, 1872: scrimd,
all minerals ??*( ept coul ana Iron are excepted Iroiu tho
grants to railroads.
Secretary Chandler has reversed tho decision of tho
Commissioner of the General Land oslice in the case of
Swift against the California and Oregon Railroad, hold
ing that the right of the compmv- attached to the lands
in the Ifarysville District claimed by Swift, upon tho
filing of the survey of its roa!, in 1R67 and that
Swift's entry cannot bo sustained, he having gives m
mortgage on the land whih was unsatislicd at the daio
of proof and entry.
CONSULS KIICOONI/ED.
The President has recognized Jos ? I'erign it Vice Coa?
snl of Spain at New York and Frederico uranad'js V.uq
Consul of Spain at Savannah.
WOI.K OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE COM
MITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS.
The sub-committee of the House Committee on Ap?
propriatlona expect to have the Pension, the W< >t
Point Academy and the Consular and Diplomatic appro
priation bills ready to report ou the reassembling of
the Houae of Representative*.
A CALL UI'ON THE NATIONAL BANKS FOR A KR?
POBT OF THEIR CONDITION.
The Comptroller of the Currency has called upon thq
national hanks for a report showing their condition at
the close of business ou Friday, the 17th of Dec ruber.
THB EXECUTIVE OFFICE CLOSED DURINO TH?
HOLIDAYS.
The Executive office will bs closed to general visiter?
until Monday, January 3.
A KENTUCKY FIGHT.
THE TOWN MARSHAL AND HIS PRISONER SHoU
IN A GENERAL ROW.
Loctsviu.K, Pec. 27, 1ST5.
The Courier-Journal's Lebanon, Ky , spec al fay#
that Thomas H. Chandler, Tow n 11 irsbai of L< b
anon, summoned a number of men to a^M-t hitn o.
arresting George T. Northcraft, whose conduct at tho
time waa very disorderly. When approached bjp
Chandler and the citizens he resisted arrest and called
on some roughs to assist him. A general row ensue 1
and a number of shots were fired by both parties
Chandler, the Marshal, killed Northcraft and some of
North craft's friends immediately killed Chandler.
G eneral excitement followed the killing, but no other
rowa oocu rred.
FAILURES IN MICHIGAN.
ASSIGNMENTS TO CREDITORS Cf THE DRY GOOr?
AND SHOE TRADES?HEAVY FAILURES.
Dsrnorr, Dec. 27, 1875. ^
F. W. Judd & Co., owners of the oldest dry goods
establishment in Flint, Mich., to-day made an aasign
ment. Liabilities, $40,000; useta, (30,000. (Icorgt
W Fish has been appointed assignee.
Henry label), boot and shoe dealer at Kalamazoo,
also made an assignment to-day. Liabilities, f;t2,i>id;
asset-1 f if. (KUl to tlS.OOft
rhis even Kg J. C. ll.nnett, another <thoe denier al
' Kalamuaoo. made an aaoianmeftl. Ltalithties. iti,tM*A