The New York herald. [volume], March 16, 1876, Page 4, Image 4

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_4
"CORRUPTION IN ALASKA, J
,
Wore Light on the Famous |
Fur Company.
a SECRETARIES OF THE TREASURY INVOLVED
I
Startling Extracts from Olll- j
cial Documents.
MONOPOLISTS AND FORTUNE-MAKING.
Xkw York, March 13, 1870.
To THK Editor or tui Hkkai.u:?
'The m ils of the gods grind slowly, but they grind
exceedingly suro," and with tho evildoer, whatever Ilia
elation or crime, exposure, disgrace aud punishment
is a mere question of time. While the terrible story
ol Belknap's downfall must make every lover ot his
country blush with shame, there can bo no regret at a
discovery which is certain to hnvo a grand moral tiled.
It is tho immunity from punishment which leads to
the increase ot crime. Now that we have touched a
sink ol corruption let us probe it to tho bottom, regardless
ot scutlment and of persons, aud let it at least
be said of us that we are not ashamed to expose tho
faults of our government or. deterred by the foolish
fear ol bringing disgrace on the national name
from drag-dug Into tho light the crimes ot our officials
and properly puuixhlng them. We are standing merely
on the threshold, aud the preservation of our honor as
a nation demands that we should not shrink from the
sad but imperative duly before us.
1 he Hekai.o of January - J ult. contained the follow
"* WMIMVIUtJ
COKHCI'TIO.N I.N ALASKA.
Tlic documents quoted irotu ami commented oil iu an
article in our news columns curry such implications on ;
the character of high public olllcers as cannot cscupo
the notice ami Investigation of Congress, to tterul O.
O. Howard, commanding tliu Uepnrtment of Columbia,
went on a tour ol inspection lo Alaska last summer,
and iu his report lo tho Secretary ol Wur he makes a
revelation ol lacts which, i( substantiated, must diun- i
age the reputation ol Mr. ltoutucll and Mr. HlchnrdsoU,
la I u Secretaries of the Treasury, and some persons who
stood in nearer relations to the White House The substance
ol the charge is that a monopoly ol the lur trade
was awar led lo llic Alaska Commercial Company lor a
rental ol $05,1)00, although a responsible t omlilnatloii
ol San Francisco liruis hud hid $dJ7,5UO lor I he same
privilege, l.et tho lullest light bo poured on this transaction.
It Is proposed in this letter to pour some light on this
transaction. The statements heio made are derived
from the best sotliccs, namely, otllcial documents, and
the evidence of and interviews hud with tho parties
who were literally robbed of their rights. But first, a
few words us to the parties holding tho louse. The foU
ionium account is conacnscj iroiu a pamphlet published
in 1873, by tbo Ann-Monopoly Association ol the I'ucillc
Const:?"The wrong that has been done is so great, the
violation ol the principles ol republicanism and the
constitution ol the Lulled States so Hag rant, and the
corruption that bus been connected with this disgrucelulult'airso
glaring, that were tlio circumstances as
Well known throughout America us they are
to peoplo on the I'ucillc coast, it would
have been struck down long ago and
would have shared the fate of the Credit Mobilier.
Previous to its purchase by the Lnitcd States the
Russo-Amerlcau Company held undisputed sway over
Alaska. At the time of the trausler the company hud
a large amount ot property which had to be sold, and
Prince Muksoutof was intrusted with the business.
The purchasers were Hutchinson, Kohl A Co., who
are now stockholders ot the Alaska Commercial Company.
The accounts of the Russian Company being
somewhat obscure to the Americans, Priuce Muksoutof
claimed nearly all the government buildings
as cotnpauy property, and uehverod them
to Hutchinson, Knlil Co., und thus the ,
government had frequently to buy buck what already |
belonged to tt. These tilings happened during the
years 18C7 and ISO* It was also about this time that ;
Hutchinson, Kohl A: Co.'s steamer, Kileliler, which
was an English vessel, was fraudulently brought under
the American (lig, under the nssistance of Collector
Dodge, at Sitka, for which she lias since been con- '
Bscatcd by the government. Hutchinson, Kohl & Co.,
aiming to monopolize tho entire Territory of Alaska,
and being unable by lair means to crusti the otber
traders engaged In tho Territory, resorted to corruption,
and it was principally through the assistance of
the Lulled Slates rcvenuo otlicers that this was
accomplished. The most zealous revenue officials In '
their favor woro \V. S. Dodge, Collector at Sitka;
Samuel Falconer, Acting Collector at Sitka, afterward
lu the employ of Hutchinson, Kohl & Co.; 11. H.
Mclntyre, special agent ot the Treasury Department, J
bow (1876) general ageut of Hutchinson. Kohi A Co.,
or llie Alaska < oiiimcrcmi company; w uiiuiii Kassus,
Collector ot Sitka, afterward general agent ot Hutchinson,
Kohl >v Co., or the Alaska Commercial Company;
General Joint Miller, Collector ol Sati Francisco, now
President of the Ala-ka Coretnerciul Couipuuy, and
Several other*. With their aid Hulchiutnu, Kofil .V Co.
managed to hrcuk up ull enterprises advene to thetu
and to ruin owner.-* and shareholder*.
UNK OS' TUK MOST MITcllint H CAM*
is that of the ship Ciesnrowitch, which on March 24, |
lbtiU, was sei/ed liy Collector Falconer at Sitka und
was scut back to San Francisco in charge of a lieu i
tenant ol the revenue cutter Reliance. She arrived in
San Francisco April IS, the ease was heard in iho District
Court ou April 20 and at once dismissed, and a tew j
days later the good ship was again on tier way to
Alaska. The damage done to the ownors by this little
trick was estimated liy outsiders at at least $100,000,
and the former commenced suit against the government
fur double that umount. This little alfalr broko j
Mr. Falconer's back; be lost his position, but be at
once received a profitable situation with Hutchinson,
Kohl A; Co. ss a reward for Ills services.
The coses of the General Harney, the steamer John
U Stephens, the l.ewis Ferry, the Alaska, and other
vessels, were allot n similar kind, uud against none of
them could a c??c be made out.
Hut while. Hutchinson. Kohl & Co.'* ships wont
always scot free it rnuat not be supposed that their un
disturbed holds never contat.cd any of the contraband
articles; or the oontra*y, arms, ammunition and liquor
reached tlieir stations .a abut*Cdi.ce nuj they openly
Jaunted in the laces of their nvuls the advantages
which they enjoyed.
Our space permit* us not to rcler to all cases and Incidents
which we have recorded Iii connection with
these matters, but we will briefly relate one occurrence
which particularly Illustrate*-to what members of the
flrin ef Hutchinson. Kohl Ik Co. stooped to injure those
wno traded iu Alaska.
Iii the spring ol lstl* the steamerConstantine.be
iuiikiuk ill mill'iimeou, jwiii ?* - o,, i-aiiru iiuiu i-ii*a
to Victoria, carrying a numb.i of passengers and some
freight, anion): (too Utter several luts 01 turx belonging
to trader.- it Sltk.i.
When the steatner reached Plumper Pass, not far
from Victoria, she struck upon a rock and knocked a
hole m her bottom, but sustained no serious damage,
a* she lay in a calm, river like channel, hitrli out ot iho
water, and had settled down on the reef on an even
keei and In an easy position. Ttie passengers, some of
whom were ladles, remained on hoard till assistance
came trom Victoria. The ship, too, was hauled oil'
altera few days, nud she was soon as good as ever.
Hut some ol the members of Hutchinson. Kohl ,* Co.,
who had be. n on board, and who were now in Victoria,
asserted th.it nio.-t ol the Ire elit an.I eanerinllv !!>o
skins, which had a vilur ol about fS.lOU to $10,000,
had been lost, unil, in rplle ul numerous protest* ol the
owners. agscned that nothing hud been saved. Mr. It.
Jchirpser. who hail shipped a lot ol tltie skins, and woo
lad come down on the Cnnulanllne, in vain appealed lo
Captain Kohl. Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Boscovitch, all
member* of ihe Urin. and nnally gave up all hope of
recovering hl? propertr.
But one day. when Mr. kchirpser managed to get into
the hack yard ol Mr. Boscovltcb, who hud a tobacco
business at Victoria, be there discovered his casks and
package* of lure, still having Ills name on them,
lowed away under .t shed. Mr. Bchirpser had Mr.
Hutchinson immediately arrested, who had to givo
bonds to the amount ol <10.00"; l>ut he itflrrward concluded
to have the case brought before the courts of
San Francisco; and while he was on bis way down.
Boscovltcb telegraphed lo tbe company, and they im nedlaitlr
settled with Mr. Martin ipariner ol Mr.
icbirpser, in Sun Francisco). who bad heard of the
vrcek. but knew no details, lor about one quarter of
.be value ol the skins, and when Mr. rctilrpser himself
arrived be loutid his way to justice cut oil.
lu lit* it txicame evident that Hutchinson, Kobl &
Co. not odly controlled the revenue o(Beers in Alaska
and the collector of the port ol San Francisco, wno Is
now President of the Alaska Commercial Company,
but that they also gsiued a great influence m
Washington; tiiat deep games were being played In lha
national Capitol, and that the K\ocutlve and' Treasury
Departments were discriminating In their favor, and
aoon it was reported thai the i'nr Seal Ismnds were
lo be leased lo ihrm, to tbe exclusion of everybody
vise. On July 1, 1*70, Congress passed an act entitled,
"An act to prevent tbe cxttriuination of lur-bearing
animals in Alaska."
aioxiriCATr ooanK?rosprvcii.
On tbe 2d ot July the then Secretary ol the Treasury,
tobiwell, addressed a letter lo Mr. Hoar, tbe Attorney
general, in which be said:?
The Alaska Commercial Company make an offer. In eonIbrmitr
to the provisions of the bill, proposing to par the
Sum of $. O.UUO per aunuta aad the additional revenue tss
of <2 oo earh skin. Tbev rlelnf that It was understood by
Ike committee reporting the bill and by the two houses of
C?e;reee that their roaapany w?. to hsvo the prelerenee
ever any other party, and that It la the duty of tbe decre
JSW YO
lirjr uf the Treaeury. without delay and without public |
notice Invltiii* proooealt, to immediately outer into a ?untrail
with >aiu company. I dee re your opinion upou tie ?e
point*
/VrW?L)o*i the bill to de<i(mate the Alaika Cnmmerctal
Company a* to give them precedence or prelvreiice of auy
tort, ami IT >o what
Co-met?Ii it the duty of the Secretary o( the Treasury to
glee publicnutite of the pannage of the bill and of hie an
moriiy uuner n inviting proposals, or, in cave *ucn nonce 11
not given. may he ?lclmy action until other parties. if any
there be, >hall have an opportunity to tuako proposals to the
department *
To tin* Attorney General Hour, under date of July 8,
1870, and after beano# arguments, replied:?
I |)on the tace of the act, or upon any reasonable construction
that I cau give It, no such intention is apparent.
In order to know that the leave which you are to execute is
to the host advantage of the I'm ted States you muat. of
course, ascertain whether mora favorable terms lor the government
thun those oHurcd by the Alaska Company could be
old a i tied.
Having received this answer, Boutwell advertised
under ditto of July H lor bid*, and on the 20th the following
singular memorandum was issued by the Trent*
ury Uepariuitut;?
Orrica or tiie Skcket ikv, July 20, lt>70.
Memorandum in reference to old* for tlie exclusive right
to take lur seals upon the islauds Saint 1'ittil and Satut
George, read before the persons present at the opcuiug of
the bi?|s nt 12 o'clock noon. July 20, lb7U:?
/Yr>f?-The sucreksful bidder will be required to deposit
security within these days, to the amount of #80,000 la law*
ful money or bonds of the I'liLed Mutes, tor the due execu
tiou ol contracts, agreeably to An aet to pre\ent the extermination
ot fur bearing auiuial* in Alaska," approved July
I, 1H70.
Second?li being apparent from the language employed in
the act aforesaid that it was the intention ot Congress to
give a preference to the Alaska Commercial Company in the
award of their contracts, I think it proper to state, before ;
the bid< arc opened, that the contract will bo awarded to the ;
said cttmpanj it tbalr praposali ^i?-a11 ba not mots than ten
per cent below that of the highest bidder.
Thiril? No hid will be accented uuless made i?v a re*ponsi
ble party acquainted with tlie business or skilled in kindred
pursuits to such an extent as to render it probable that tho
? n tract will he hi * xcciited an f crtiie the ie o. t - e. uii'iii
plated by the learn*. ?
GOLD8TOXF.'S WD.
There were fourjeou bid-, eight of which were cither
refected or withdrawu. The lowest was Unit ol tho I
Alaska Commercial Company (being Hutclnsou, Ivobl
\ Co. enlarged), and the highest that ol Louis Gold- 1
stone, as lollows:?
J cur *i(), 1H70.
The undersigned, an Am rlcan cltl/eii. residing at the city I
of* San Francisco, in the State of California, and represent- j
hig and being duly authorised to act in this beiialf lor
Fischel A Go., ol w hich linn ho is u utember; the American
Russian Commercial iompwny, aud Tavlor A Ucn el all of
said city and stau*. and all tho mem In rse muected trim and
composing the said companies and linns, being American
citucns and being prof or and responsible parties. I
right t<? engage in the business of inking fur
seals 011 the of fit Paul awl St. lieorjfftf
in the Territory of Alaska, for a term of twenty year* front
th:? 1st day of May. 187 , lu accordance with the term* and
provision*of the act of Congress entitled "An net to pieveut '
the extermination of fur ocariug animals in Alaska," approved
July 1, 1*70. and of tlie notice lor proposals for said '
lease issued by the Secretary of the i reusury, to wit,
1. The said companies aud linns propose to pay to the 1
United States, over and above the annual rental of $50,000, I
and the revenue tax or duty of $. on each fur seal skin taken ,
and si i,n od from said islands, provided in the sixth sect ion
of said act, u but.Ut of $IOO,o * >, to he paid in annual instalments
ot $6,i ,in lor each and every year of said lease.
2. A bonus of U2^| cents apiece on the skins that shall bo i
taken and shippen of such fur seal* as may be killed under '
the provisions of the third section of sunt act.
(Noif?Under this proposal it 10 1.000 skins nre taken, I
unuer the regulations of the Secretary of the t reasury, the '
bonus will amount to$C2,ftOU per annum, or $l,2bO,Ut>J dur
ing tlte lease. J
h. For such oil as ruay be made from the carcasses of the
seals killed the sum ot f>.'? cents per gullon.
INoxk.?Kncli carcass is estimated to furnish two gallons j
of oil. If lOU.OOO annuals should be killed pur annum, and
the oil obtained from all of them, the total amount o( revenue
to the govvrniuo t from this item would be $llO,GJO per
annum, or $2,200,000 for the term of the lease. J
4. in addition to the foregoing proposals the said companies
und tiiins pi o,u se to build suitable schoolhousos ami to i
support and ina iitain proper schools lor the education of the
natives in each ot said islands and to erect a church house 1
ail the 1*1 * nil of St. Paul, uud to support a priest thereat, |
under the authority ot the lilsliop ol the ltussiau tircek
Church, located either at Sitk.i or Sail Franc.aeo.
M on Id the foregoing proposals be accepted the said com- i
fades und linns are ready to give bond immediately in !
such sum >?s may he required by the Secretary of the Trims- j
tiry, condition d that they will prom, tly cnt.'r into tlie ;
lease, make the deposit, give bonis und comply in nil re- j
spects wiili the provision'* of tin* law and the requirements
?d the .Secretary of the T' ' usury. Koi 18 (iOKDSlONK. 1
Wasiiixotox, D. C., July 20, 1870.
Silt?The Alaska Comtui ni .i * ?<uipanv iuhms she following
proposal for tin* privilege of taking fur seals in Alaska in
accordance with tlie provisions of thj act upnrovedJulv 1.
1870. entitled "An net to prevent tuc extcrmluution of fur
the ailvt rtisciuent of tl?e Secretary of tue Treasury tereto
attached (advertisement ot July H).
Said comi auy will pu\ to the I'nitcd State* u rent of
$Of?.UUO per Hiinutn fur twenty years trout May I, j
1&70, ana. In addition thereto. will luiuish to
the inhabitant* of the island* of St. i'aul and
St. George, lu Alaska, tree of char ire, each year, Jo.OUU
dried salmon, sixty cor J* of ttrew* od und a sufficient
quantity ot salt and a number of barrel* tor preserving a
i.e cHsxry supply of meat; alto, in order that t lie inhabitants
ot ihe Al utiun Inlands may be provided with ?uch netsKane*
us they have been accustomed to receive, without ex
petite, said company agree* to *upply to these inhabitant*
each your 20 ?barrels oi oil and a Miflicient number ot seal
skin* to supply them with boat*, and a sufficient quantity of
sinew* and membrane to supply them with waterproof garments
free of charge.
.*aid company al.*o agrees to maintain the schools at said
island*, is required by the cecretury of Treasury, and agrees
to comply strictly with all the requlicinciit* ot tlie law and
regulation* of the Treasury Department In the premise*,
and give approved security for its undertaking in this he- ;
half. And said company hereby offer*, in the event that any
other party, who, within the true intent and meaning of
suid act, i* "a proper and re-poind hie pui ty," shall, under
said advertisement. otTcr in goon faith a g.eater amount lor i
said privilege than the whote amount ottered hv said com- j
panv, a* above stated, to pay to tue United States the lull
auiouut offered by said party and coiupjy w ith t ie law and
tegulatiou* und give all the socuiity rcquir>d.
JOHN P. MILLER.
President Alaska t'< rnmcicial I'otnpany.
lion (tkougk 8. Hoitwkll. Secretary of the Treasury. |
(The American Russian Company afterward with- )
drew troui Goldsioue's bid.) The great di*cr<rpancy be- ]
twecu these two bid* is apparcut. The Alaska Company
became alarmed, and addressed various protests
to the Secretary against the acceptance of Mr. Holdstone'*
bid, winch ollcitcu the following communication
to Hon. Amos Akerman, the Attorney General*?
Irjusuuy IHpartmknt. July 20, 1H70.
.Sin ?I have the liouor to nubuiit herewith and to a*?k your
attention to a communication, under date of July >0, 1*70,
made by John K. Miller President of the Alavaa Commercial
Company, iu which lie protest* against the acceptance
ot the bid made by Louis Holdstotie, a* the agent of certain ,
parlies iu Sau Francisco. 1 aLo enclose a copy of the bid
made by Mr. Holdup ne. Those, considered in couuection
with the act of Congress, will present the question upon
which 1 desire your opinion.
It those part* of the bid made by Mr Goldstoue. in which
lie otters to pay ccuts upon eucti skin, in addition to the '
specified in the act, and '5 cents per gallon tor j
each gallon of oil taken Irotii the *eai-, are in conformity
to law. then hi* b.d is the most advantageous to the government
ot ail that have been made.
If, on the other band, those portion* of his hid referred to
nre 10 be rejected, theu Ills proposal Is less tavoruble than
some others.
Il ii important that the award should ho mule it the
earliest possible moment. 1 hive therefore the honor to 1
request tint .volt will give as early attention to this ease us
your duties will permit. *
Very respectfully, (!Et> S. BOCTWEhL, Secretary,
lion. Ax? T AKtUMA.x, Attorney General.
Tito ,Attorney General's answer, after reciting Mr.
Goldstone's Old, sat I:?
You desire tuy opinion upon the question whether those I
parts of the bid iu which he ulTers to pay HIT4, cents upon
ea h skiu iu addition to the $2 specified in the act, and .V>
cents, Ac., are In cuuforinlty to law. It is my opinion tliat
thev are * A leas.' to the best advantage means a
lease lor the most valuable consideration that can lie obtained.
* 1 am well satisfied that the best advantage
ot the 1'niied States may be as lawfully secured in the way
proposed by Mr. Uoldstoue at In any other way. He rogage*
to do all that the statute requires in terms, lie also engages
to do something more which is not inconsistent with the
statute, and, as I bvlieve, if fully warranted by the letter
On all the other objections raised by the Alaska I
Company the Attorney General also decided in Mr. i
Coldsloue's luvor.
Alter the delivery of this opinion it was everywhere
taken tor granted that Goldstouc would get the lease.
So conlident was lie about it that he earned the Itaxo
in bis pocket ready to be signed, and telegraphed to
his family that it was ''all right."
On July 3u Mr. lioidstoue consequently called at the
Treasury Ottice for the lease, but to his utter nstouishmont
and consternation he was informed that the lease
hud been awarded to the Alaska Common lal Company
on ibo terms ut his uvu (Gnldstotu-'s) bid. The communication
wan inudc by Acting Secretary William A.
Richardson, whuw lace in giving the Inlormallou wus {
crltin-oucd will) shame. Mr. Houlwoll bud secretly lull
lor Massachusetts.
Uciorc proceeding further let ua sec what tbo
Alaska Company lias done uud what is said ol them.
In order to alilio the interest that the public took
in Alaska, uud to prevent, us much as possible, that
the same should be initdo the object of American enterprise,
the Alaska Commercial Company has always
been very anxious to havo Alaska represented as a
very undesirable and inhospitable couutry, without
charms of any kind, and its lur trade as'throwtng
oil but a limited prom, exhibiting in this respect
again tlie same spirit us the old Huss an company.
I ho government olllciais w ho in various capacities
wero sent out from time to time 10 Alaska, and who were
generally won over to private Intcresls belorethoy even
lelt Stall Vraneiaco or Washington, gave, the. dure, always
the most unfavorable accounts of the country;
while men whose honor aud integrity cannot ho
doubted represent the country as it is, so Tar as they
know It. .-tuch men us Secretary beward; Professor
Davidson, of scionliUe lame; General Jctfcrsmi C. I>uvis,
formerly Military Governor of Alaska; Vinrout Colycr,
and Dr. W. 11. Da.I, of the I'ulicd Elates Coast
S urvey.
All these distinguished persons speak ol the astonishIng
mildness ol climate ol cerium portions ol, Alaska,
ol the ranktioss aud luxuriousness of tlie vegetation, of
the density aud extcusiun of the timber lands, of the
indications 01 minerals, of the magnitude of the lur
trade and ol the incredible abundance ol aquatic life.
Hut of the greatest weight are the words of a distinguished
officer of the I nited states Army, General
Jenerson C. Davis, commanding tbo Department ol
Aluska Ha says:?
Mnce the declaration of Congress, at Its Wst session, of St.
Psui and St. Grorgc islands as special reservations of tbo
government, tin y nate urea under the control of officers of
tlie revenue service, seni there lor the purpose of executing
the laws prohibiting the landing at or killing ol fhr teals
upon them During my official vtail there, in the hrg.nnlng
ol the present summer, and while engaged in investigating
the affairs ol the natiees. ae well as the mannar In which the
troops had parlormed their duties. I learned that, under one
pretext anu another, privileged parties had been permitted
to land and remain on those reeervations and had been ai
Itiwt-d to kill tu? Nntmtiiii fiitMurf, Unritic imi luiiiiiitf, ?l ,
least 8&,(J <U seals were ktlied m the two Islands; probable
more I has thai nmnber The pretest* under ttlilch thla wee
authorised waa that otaaabllair ihr natives to subsist thorn
arlara without espouse to thr government la an economical
(Hiliit of alaw thla would tana quite nabt; but the lacta
ara that tha natives ara cooped upp.n ihrta laiandt, whara
tbep ara compelled to work lor thota private partlra or !
atarvo; In other words, the) are to dap In a complete at ate
of slnverp. t'orapelitloii In trad# ha? haan universalis
eatahllaiied, and la now prsttp well understoood lip lha
nativaa aod tradera ihrouirhoul toe roanlrp; whartvar the
former can paddle hie canoe. or the latter nebrtrate with
hi> goods. auch la the caae. These isolated Islands of M.
Caul and M tieorge la Hehrlng ttaa, tha riebeet pnssaaalons
lo nataral wealth, considering their ataall area, ou the rontl*
aaal. lornt tha oalp receptions The nativaa ara peaceful,
honest and capable or transacting urdlnarp bueinees quite
wall, aad would doubtless Improve themselves If lhap had a
fiirrhaace. hut their present complete enslavement aad
, rokberp hp an uaeciupulous ring of speculators, will aver
ItK. iiEKALD, TnURSDAI
rev?nt inch pro grass.?Jbwarf </ Rmri Major Ormrot
comiHtiHiUn'i JJ?fMirltnmt <y .iJa?k. S' ^tri I>if| War. Aml/ivt
iiO. 1W7H.
lieiwrkl Howard in bis report sari:? Major Camp
ball has frequently reported that through the "Alaska
Commercial Company." nrtns ol the modern t>.- are
being distributed to the Indians. He hjti, lu report
of July 17, Just received:?
Willi wliui are known as lludauu Hay luuikela the Indiana
are comparatively harmless. la will ba a sa.v differrui
thing, however. If tbey succeed iu ermtug themselves
wlih modern arms of precision anil miwcr. They ere much
wore intelligent than the Indiana of the Claim, good marks
men. anil throughout the coast are uuited by a cleat or catle
of warriors called Koch won loui. 'I'llla will enable thcu
to c nceutrale iu ee*t lunnDera.
After speaking of President Johnson's countermanding
hi* executive order ol August 5t, 1808, by anothor of
February JO, 1809, ho continue*?
The reault la that arma and ammunition are shipped to
Kodiavk and I nalaaka, ol any kind and in any uuautit). and
trom there distributed among the various trading posts of
the Alaaka Ciiuiiiiereial Company, to be disposed of a? they
aee 111.
A citizen of long standing on thia coast writes mc-?
That the fur company who have loaned the aval buaineaa
from the I tilled Slates government make mllliona of profit,
and that their oprrationa ara concealed a? much aa possible;
that vastly greater niuubcra are kilted aunually, more than
their agreement allowa, and that large auiounta of hushmoney
are paid to keep the matter uuiet.
Now liow did the Alaska Company, In the face of the
adverse opinion* of two Attorney Ueuurals and every
principle of right and I notice, Mt this leaso.' The
net expressly torbld the lease "to bo hold or operated
for the use. bciiellt or advantage, directly or indirectly,
of any person other than American citizens.'
Stock ol tho company wag held in I-ondou aud l.eipelc.
As long ago us July, 18*0, Mr. Fowler, one of the bidders,
wrote this letter:?
n ASH INOTOX, July Ltl, 1CTU.
Km?In the exclusion ?f ra.v bid lor the privilege of taking
fur seal* upon the islands of St. I'aui uud Ht. (Jeorge,
Alaska. yi u cither doubted the truthfulness of the written
Htatonnj.it I made in utiswer to your note of the'J 1*1 or you
have violuted the uuwnrrantabl* restriction* you iiunoHcd
on the bidders on the L'Ulh of July. It will require ont a
little time to substantiate the statement I made
(a copy id which in on record), aud an to other
qualification* or (Uncus to ftiliil the trust alike creditably
to myself aud In uottcially to the government
1 can tfive the undoubted iiu|..r*en?ont oi ?omu of
the uio*t prominent and reliable huslue** firm* In Ho?
ton. aud in the State of Maine, with whom I have had
large commercial relatione previous to my entering into business
h*re. To protect tbe government against lor* I am
prepared to give bond in tbe amount of $J,iKK?,n <i, covering
tlie entire amount ot government revenue the bill ol July 1
imposts tor the term of ten yearn, and to deposit with you
th.- f? i,i O ) lit government bonds within three days alter
lit - right to take teals on said island* is awarded me.
Should tbe contract be awarded to a party bidding more
than hi y to If, whether he come* under your rule or uot (provided
me bond is aufHcietit), I hare nothing to say. lint if
the contract i* to be awarded to a lower bidder, a* appearances
indicate, uml which seem* to be a nart of the programme
and original draught of the bill, the history of
which is known aud understood, than, by common regard for
an overtaxed and burdened people, I must protest against
the consummation of a mouture that wan conceded in iniquity
and which looks very much as though it would soon bo
bom In sin. Your* respectfully, T. T. FOWLKK.
Hon. (jKokuk b. iloi;twfeii.i., Secretary of lulled States
Treasury.
\?>#l thn \ n H.\f nnnnnltr Acortnmlinn Irt Ihnif nim.
...... " *"V.s
iiplot, says:?
acccskp or duidkut.
If tin' prlno that the Alawkii l,Viumorciul Company tl id
tliii^ gained wiu enortnou*, It can be imagined that a ireniiMiibiutf
auiii had to be t*ucrilkaeU to antUl'v the political cormoiauti,
and the i reii in tho?e days muJt* the must suoepititC
charirea ayainvt member# of l?ongro*? ? nd member# of
the HiitniliiHtrat o i. and there was an ugly rumor that the
brother in-lawol tlie President. Mr. Dent, had been made a
partner of the concern at the eleventh hour.
AndUcnoral Howard, in his late report, repeats this
chirgG. 1 have given the history of the lease iu this
loiter. It it is not on its lace u history of fraud and
corruption, then f conless myself unable to tlnd an appropriate
name lor it. STL'VIAN I). WIN.
BELKNAP AND DELILAH.
A ItKl'LV TO 'IUK, COMMUNICATION OF NESTOB.
Wasui.no ro.v, March 13, 1870.
To tbk Editor of tuk IIkralu:?
Iu your issue of Tbursduy or 1'rlday of laAt week
there was an article from a Washington cunespondeut
headed, "The Washington Delilah," iu which "Nestor'i
makes an unjust uud ui.generous attack on Mrs. Belknap,
winch seems to savor ruthcr of personal bitterness
than public spirit. Ever since that little utlair in
the Garden of Eden, when the very llrst man excused
his sin by laving the ulumo on the woman, ineu have
been prone to pleud the lollueucc of wives as the cause
ol dowuiull ol husbuuds. A man tails in business:
nothing is said ol Ins shortcomings, but the oxlruvu
game el his lumily U cited lu extenuation of that tailure;
they huve urged him on beyond his ability to
satisfy their demutids?to gratily their unreasonable
expenditures. Well, we huve become accustomed to
such unselfish opiuious Iront tho lords ol creation, and
scarcely notice tlietn; but converting Mrs. liclkuup
luto Delilah seems loo tar fetched. First, then, tho
present Mrs. U. ??< not the wile who lulled hor husband
to sleep aud sheared him ol Ins strength, that
she might deliver him over to the l'hlllstiues. It
was a lormer write who sold (?) him lor the money
which lie enjoyed with her?a liberality not mcuuoncd
iu tnc ease of Sain-oil's wile.
Next, afier the death of tho former wife, the two
years ol licedom Iroin matrimonial bondage was sufficient
time tor Sumsou to regain, at Icust, u portion
ol his former strength, tusieud ol which he must have
shorn his own locks, and, lutsr, taught the present De
Ulan the tonsorial iirt. ana thru sweetly as a babe coot
lo sleep In order to bo stripped ol his strength ana delivered
over to hi* enemies?surely a most willing victim
:
Will "Nestor''please bo kind enough to scatter the
clouds which envelop his would-be brilliant elhisiou t
If so, he will much oblige LLNA.
TILDES FOR PRESIDENT.
At the regular mooting ol the Samuel J. Tllden Club,
hold in Wagner Hull, West Thirty-sixth street, on
Tucsduy evening, a preamble and resolutions were
unanimously adopted alluding to the high private and
public churacter and quuiiOcultons of Uorcrnor Tildeu,
utid requesting the I'emocrallc National Conveutiou to
nominate him lor the Presidency, in order to remove
lrom the Inderal government the Just stigtua which a
republican administration has brought upon it.
NEW JERSEY TOWN ELECTIONS.
In the town elections held in the State of New Jersey
on Tuesday, Orange, which last year went republican,
and which is the home of the only Essex county demo.
anti-Catholic *'0. A. U." simoom ol last tail, lias swung
ruunil and gone entirely democratic. Mayor Henry W.
Kguer was re-elected, there being no opposition, ns
also the entire democratic city ticket. The democrats
likewise elect Tow u Couocilmcn in ail the wurds, giving
them complete control ot the local government. Among
those olccied to the Council IS Ml?. David Dodd, I he gentleman
above referred to. He swopl a republican want
l'ue accounts from Camden indicate that there, too,
the democrats made a sweep sufficient to give thorn
control of the city government.
In Middlesex county the democrats carried a majority
ol the Cboscu freeholders. Local questions alone
prevailed lu tho consideration of voters.
FIRE IN A POSTAL CAR.
A few minutes before ono o'clock yesterday morning
a lire occurred in the Uoslon postal car, on the
New Haven Hailroad, as the train in which it was was
passing Forty-fifth street. The flames dostroyed
several bags of nowspapers, but no part of the mail
They were extinguished by tho conductor and brakeineu,
alter causing a damage of $75. The Ore was occasioned
by au overflow ol oil from oue of tho lamps.
THE CENTENNIAL CHURCH.
[From the Philadelphia City Item.]
Shall the churches of this aity be kept open on Sunday
during the Centennial? Wc say yea This ought
to be a great year lor the Church, and wc hope that the
clorgy will not desert tlioir posts on account of hot
weaiher. "The boy stood ou the burning dock" should
bo their text and stimulus.
MOKK (-III-RCHKS WANTSD FuR THE UKATUKX.
Now, as the Centennial Kxlubmou ta to bo kept open
on Sunday. shall wo not build a dozen small churches
on or tieur Ibe grounds to capture all wbo would boar
tbe Word In that vicinity t Hero is a chance lor truo
go^pchzing. h la taking tbo mountain to Mohammed.
HOW TO llECElVE DOM l'EDKO.
To tiik Koitor op tiih Hkhslo:?
As tbo arrival of tbo Emperor or Brazil will aoon be
tho topic of conversation, It will not bo ainue to coil
your attention to tbe ceremonies usual on such occasions.
In Europe tbe etmuclte observed when members of
the royal families visit a foreign country, arriving
thereat from seaward, is to detail a squudrou ol honor
to meet and escort royally to the anchorage.
There have been three occasions when members of a
royal family have visiiod tbe I'mtcd States. Tbe
Princo of Wales and Grand Duke AiexIs came In a
military capacity ; aa tbe latter waa on board ol a man*
of-war be was met at Sandy Hook by oar squadron and
escorted oil New York.
King Kalakaua ol tbe Hawaiian Islands came over In
one ol our men-of-war, and waa also cscorled to tbe
anchorage oil San Francisco. He was tbo guest ol tbe
country, as well as ot certain cities, which tendered to
him their hospitalities.
Now, Dom Pedro II., Emperor ol Brazil, a prince ef
liberal ideas, ami at the he a i of one of the beat governed
co4n tries iu the world, is momentarily looked
for. What preparation- are we making to receive
bunt The squadron lately anchored olt our city, li woe
said, would < oinpose Dom Pedro's guard of honor; but
the latest news Irom Hampton Kosds makes manifest
that tbeir departure lor the South wlil lake place dur
nit mi- riuiu i on ituvai tnc rrinwi win u?
attired lo the lour wind.* ol lb# Weil Indiea. Would
II not lie edrluiMe lor iIm Honorable !?ecretary of lb#
Navy to detail a lew of the cr.ick ablp* ol tne North
Atlantic squadron lo proceed to fandy Hook and there
await Ibe arrival of th# Emperor?
It is true tli <t th# Minnesota, Colorado and Roanoke
could be prepared Tor ttia ocrrice. but than there abould
be another din-ion, composed or the tugs, anchor
I buoy* and water tank*
Joking aatde, let ua give Pom Pedro a welcome and
jolly reception?one worthy of the great man. Let ui
not he mudon# in politei,e?u by Great Hr tain. Out
| Commercial internet uetnaada Ik HARD TACK.
r, MARCH lfi, 1876-TIUPL
TIH P Si SIMMR
A Fort Sill Trader on the Contract
with Marsh & Co.
A FUND FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES
Futile Efforts to Get Rid of
the Extortion.
A SCANDAL GENERALLY KNOWN.
An Appeal to a Member of the
President's Family.
I
INDIGNATION OF ARMY OFFICERS.
I
St. l.ovis, March 11, 1870.
Colonel J. J. Kishcr, Ibo silent partner of John S.
j Evans h Co., of ibo Kort SHI trading post, who hats
hitherto refused to extend any Information concerning
the affairs of the firm until he should go beforo the
Congiossioual Committee, to-day placed the Hkuai-d
correspondent lu possession of some Important lacls.
Colonel Ktsher is a Kcntnckian. but during the war
was In the Union army. Sinco the war ho has been in
the banking business, and is now Vice President or the
Security Hank of this city. Ho Joined Kvuns In the frontier
trailing business about six years ago. Kvuns spends
most of his time at the post looking alter the active
business, while Visitor attends to purchases uud shipments
here. In the fall or 1870, when it was understood
that Secretary Belknap would exercise his privilege,
conferred by tlio act of July, 1870. of uppo.tiling a posti
trader, Leans, with such recommendations us he could
I obtain, went on to Washington to apply for the posi
I tlon. lie found upon his arrival that Caieb 1*. Marsh
had obtained the control of the place, and was forced
i to muke terms with liitu, in u contract to pay at the !
rate of $1,000 a month. In quarterly payments, for the
i privilege or continuing the tiude.
tiik situation.
! "The situation was like this," said Colonel Kisher:? j
| "We had all our money invested In the sli ck or goods
and tho trading buildings at Kort Sill, and there we
were ?>00 miles Irotn tho railroad. We had to make
terms witti Marsh or luce ruin. mesc payments were
ruade regularly until Fcbruury, 1872, when 1 went to
i New York to see Murub. The military reservation at
Fort Sill is shaped peculiarly. Instead of being square
it is a intlo and a half wide and three miles and a half
long. All around it is the Kiowa and Comancho reservation.
There tho Interior Department permitted
a trader to establish himself, and the shape of the
reservation permitted him to get very near us, so much
so that we, with our tribute to Marsh, couldn't stand
tho competition. The trader on the Indian reservation
was lit llrst Mathieson and thon K. B. Smith. I
went to Marsh, who was very stllf about it ul llrst. Ho ]
repeatedly said the money was
FOR POLITICAL Pl'RPOSKS,
; that he didn't set it himself, uud that it couldn't boreI
duced. Finally I told him wo would abundon the trade.
It was worth nothing lo us, aud, further, that 1 would
huve published my statement right there m New York,
giving a complete history of the whole transaction. He
came to terms then, after a good deal of trouble, and i
the payments wero reduced to $tl,UU0 a year, payable
semi-annually."
"Did you know w hat boruiuo ol tho money aftor it
passed into Marsh's hands?"
"We never kuew anything moro than that Marsh
| told us it was 'lor political purposes.' We kuew he
wus thick with tho officials at Washington; but that
I Belknap received the money was as much news to us j
as anybody when the statement ot Marsh appeared
I In the papers. llie officers al the post knew that we
i wcro paying Una tribute, ami all declared it an outrage,
i We made no secret of it and always protested against
: It Efforts were made directly and Indirectly to ex- i
i poso the extortion."
| "It was known to tbo authorities in Washington, '
| thenf'
"Beyond all doubt, and on very different authority
than that ol Robinson or Armcs. Early iu 1872, just
before tny visit to Marsh, General Hazcn, at Kort Sill,
was put In possession of the (acts, and even shown
the contract. lie wrote a letter to Washington, in ,
i which he used this language: ?
" "I have read the contract between J. P. Evans, a Fort
i Sill trader, und C. 1'. or C. E. Marsh, of N'o. 1,887 or '
I 1,887 Broadway, Xew York, office of Herter Broa., 1
| w hereby J. S. Evans is requ.red to pay said C. P. or C. j
E. Marsh the sum ol g 12,ooO per year, quarterly In ad!
vunce. for the exclusive privilege of trading on this
i military reservation. 1 am correctly iuloruied that
said sum has been paid since, soon alter I ho new
law went into lorco and is now paid to Include Homo
[ time.ln February next. Tito tax here amounts to near
i $40 each selling day. which must, necessarily, be paid
; almost entirely by the coifimund, and you can readily !
see that prices ol such goods as wc arc compelled lo
buy must bo grievously augmented thereby. Marsh,
the nominal trader at Fort .Sill, is understood to be a
special Irlcnd of the Secretary of War. This friendships
It appears, enables liiin to live at ti n ease at No# York <
on an Income of $48,000 a year, which Is extorted from
the soldleis and officers at the posts by the actual
j traders, to whom be larms out iho privilege the Secretary
bus given hun.'
That " continued Colonel Fisher. <(ivan the evaet
i status then. It cuino from General Hazou, and it was
published early in February, 18*2, just before I saw
; Marsh."
"After the reduction to $6,000 a year was any attempt
! at exposure made?anything more recent?"
"Yes. I mygcll went to General Grierscn and told
him ol the extortioos practised upon us. I wunted it
put a stop to. Grierson listened to the whole business
very attentively. He seemed to hardly know
what was best to be done. Finally he wanted me
| submit tbo whole thing to writing and In
that lorm he said ho could push it. This wasn't done.
We were willing to go into an exposure il thero was a !
certainty that it would be pushed through; but for us
to put ourselves forward as aceusors, without auy
surety of support, was risking too much."
TlIX nUMDKXT'S KXOWLSMIS
"Did you ever take any steps to bring this mailer to
I the attention of the Prealdom personally?"
"1 went this far?to talk It all over with Colonel
! John C. Dent, tho brother of Mrs. Grant, having In
ivlcw the placing of the information bclore the President.
Colonel Dent is a neighbor of mine on Washington
avenue?that is, hit lamily live here, but ho spends
most ol his time at Fort I'uioo. in N'ew Mexico. He is
the post Iradcr there, but pays no tribute. I told him
: all about our relations with Miursh. We had several 1
' conversations on the subject, hut he would say It was
> a very difficult matter, and ho hardlv knew what ought
! to be done. Once he suggested that, upon one of the
President's visits here, ha would bava him at hit
houao, where I should meet him, and the whole matter
should be talked over. Colonel Dent saying, '1 am auro
he will make It all right' Hits opportunity, however,
cover occurred, t?eut pays no tribute lor nil pom m
I Fort L'nioo."
Colonel Fisher further stated that he had gone to
District Attorney Dyer and voluntarily Informed him
of his willingness to go to Washington and testify before
the Congressional committee whenever wanted.
He has several letters from Marsh regarding the payments
of ibo money, in which the latter assumes an
ofletsivc and dictatorial touc, commanding Kvans k
Co. to send certain exchango. In ono of these letters
Marsh demands tbe Immediate payment of $2,&00 overdue,
adding a threat that "unless this. Is uone there
will be trouble for you soon."
OSNKRAL STIROCS' STATEMENT.
General Sturges, commandant at the Arsenal, and
nnlil a ithin a vear or two mul stationed on tha frun
tier, laid to toe 1{erai.d correspondent:?
I sm uot willing to express an opiuiou in regard to
Belkoap's guilt, I prcicr waiting until he preseut* Ills
aide ot the rase, there may be lacts connected with
the affair that will tend to relieve him or the disgrace.
I do not believe In denouncing and damning a man unheard.
It ia true appearances are 'all against him,
1 I but still, I say, give hltn a chance. Ho
claim* to be able to exouerate himself, and I
will not join in a hue and cry against a man under
these circumstance*. It, after be la afforded an opportunity
to clear himself, he fall* to do ao, I nra In lavor
of punishing bur to the verv laat letter of the law?
1 btm or auy other pnbllo man, I don't care who It may
' be, clvtnau or soldier, who baa used his position for
r | private gain. I am glad these investigations have been
I commenced, and 1 bone Conaraaa will ouafe ahead aaul
E SHEET.
neery particle of corruption In eflolnl p!nc.? it unetriliuii
] don't cnrr wliu it touchta: m*h if It were
myself, 1 k.y go on with ilia luvietlgatioua; >n<l I
think It In tho duty of every citlzco 10 aid the eomiiillteet
all be en. Kvcry man who known of anything
wrong having been committed by oillrart, cltil or mill- '
tary, should voluntarily go before tie committecn and i
tell of IV ,
I have known Tor ycart pant that the sutlershipn
were being void; that tlio whole system was lull of 1
fraud. Kvery officer id llie irmjr ha* knowu this, uui
wa did doI kuow who wu re*pou*ibl< lor II. *n?l worae,
* could not remedy It Tfco cutfra army hag known
that tno autlerships wore
HUo srsct-LATgi) cro*.
In fact, (old to tho highest bidder, anl we hare all *urfered
irom It It Ig a wonder that U> mailer ha* uot
atlracled public altautlou before. Otlccr* and ?oldiurs
mudo uo aucrel of their knowledge of these fact*, and
Uavo frequently complained of tue hardships imposed
upon them by ibe fraudulent vygtemof buying nnd gelling
tho ?utler*hipa. Of courao we knew thai the more
these turn paid for the privilege of trading with u* the
more ibey charged u* for good* Hut, a* I said,
w# were powerless to bolp ourselves. I'ndcr the old
system of apfiolntlng sutler* that existed, I suppose,
since the organization of a regular army until UTO,
when the new law was passed, wo had no troublo; everything
wont along swimtninglv. The officers at each
post selected through the Council of Administration a ^ i
sutler, uinl In- was always appointed by the Soeieurv
of War. Under the now law the officers were doprnrod
ol nil voicu In the mutter, and frequently tho stiller
would establish himself ut a post bo Iore tho otllcers uud
troops wore uwure that any change had boon made,
t'udor tho old law a sutler really be d his position lor
life on the condition of good behavior aud upright conduct.
True, his license was renewed every live years,
but ho change was inude us long as the sutler made
biiursll acceptable. Under the now law the privilege
wus sold to tlio highest bidder, and each sutler, not 1
knowing how toou he would he succeeded by some
other, eudcavorod to make all he could while no held j
the place. The officers and soldiers hud to hear tho
burden of Ibis stale of affairs; llie prollia cauie out of
tbelr pay.
I'XbKU Til K OLD SYSTKM
a sutler made only u lair prolit, uud Irotn years ol business
could only save u competency. Under the new system
sutler's have realised a fortune w.lhln three
years, besides paying for meir privileges. Since 1H70,
instead of having tuon appointed as sutlers wlm were
acceptable to the officers, in many instances tho [
scurviest knaves to he found havo obtained appointments.
At Kurt Lincoln Colonel Rolierl Wilson, a lino
gentleman, who had held the sutlership lor yoarx, was
displaced without any reason, mid a man named
Dickey, brother to a member of Congress ut that lime, (
appointed. Ueforc anybody at the lort or even Wilson
?i? >n?i <.uau#l.- ........... --.,
iM?-k?.?y appeared, presented his appointment ituil
upcticd business. Colonel Wilson subsequently discovered
tho manner iu which these appointment* wrero
bet lie sold, and something over two years aif" pub- j
lishod an expire of the whole thing in the Bismarck
Tribune, but it did not attract any ailentiou.
oriMnxs or itRur osricxu.
Major Hale, Mitior Clemens and other oUlcers at the
Arsenal corroborated Uoueral Sturges' statements In
regard to the shameful abuses practised since 1870
upon ibo army iu the appointments or sutlors, who
were permitted to charge the most exorbitant prtcos
lor goods.
The officers unanimously express gratification at the
mult of the Congressional Investigation, and desire to i
soo It progress. They are gratified at the prospect of \
having the army relieved of the odium that has rested ,
ujiou it in consequence of the a|ipointnient of unscrupulous
men to various positions connected w ith It. They
evince some heslluucy in condemning Belknap before
ho is given a hearing, but this hositaiiuy is attributable
almost entirely to tbe soldiers' desire to avoid politics !
rather than a belief in tbe late Secretary's Innocence.
THE STRIKES.
THE r BISTERS.
A visit yesterday to the offices of Typographical
Union N'o. C showed that tho few unemployed men j
theic were iu good spirits. Tho Secretary of the uuion
said that things looked us If all peudtug difficulties be- j
tween employers uud employed might be settled this
week. The men who lire still on strike chiefly belong !
to tbe firms of Douglass Taylor. Trow's, Dolliemus and
Ulldersieove, their number being about 150.
Exlonsivc preparations are going forward for the
purpose of carrying out the mass meeting which is to
he held in Cooper Union on Tuesday night next.
THE SHOEMAKERS.
The doors and entrances to the Court of Special
sympathizer* of the forty one shoemakers who aro
charged with conspiracy to injure the business of a
boot and shoe manufacturing firm, Messrs. Hanun Sc j
Reddish, ol No. 3o Wnrrou street. Kx-Judge Cardozo !
and other counsel appeared for the accused, and the !
doleuce moved that the eases should be at once tried,
or It not that uti early day lie set dowu tor 'their hear- '
lug. District Attorney Herring, on the purt of the people,
said that ou account of the Illness of Mr. ltussell, j
who has charge of ilio cose, the prosecution wero not
ready to proceed, nor could they fix an early day tor
the trial. JudgeCardozo requested that a copy ot the
tudtclinent be handed to the defendants, as they pur- J
posed to move that It be quashed, on the ground that i
the statute upon which it was founded had been re- j
pealed some time ago.
Counsel looked upon It as a great injustice that an j
opportunity to test the question ruisod by tho charge
stiould not be allordcd the accused. SUrtkcs are at i
present iu progress anioug other trades, and the point I
ought to be at once settled. The case was finally set
dow n lor to day.
The meu are a good deal incensed against Mi1. Hunan, 1
who, they say, caused their arrest while ou tho street I
interfering with no one. The (Jrand Jury Ht once
found an tndiutmcnl against ail tnc parties charged
without allow.ug the right ol an examination.
...
TUX TAILORS* STRIKE.
The Journeymen Tailors' Central Union, represent- I
log about 'J.OOJ members, employed by seventy estub- !
lishtnents. held a mooting at Coburger Hall, In Staiilon 1
street, last uight, and congratulated themselves ou tho >
result ol tho strike against tho linn of Uroolcs Brothers
on accouut of a reduction of wages. It was
stated that the "watch" kept on Brooks' store lias
hindered the llrrn Iroin obtaining new bauds at tho reduced
prices in pluco of the strikers. It was resolved
to couunue the "patrol." Resolutions wero also
passed commending the strike of the printers and
Crispins to keep up the price ol their labor.
The journeymen tailors latelyemployed in the estub- I
llghuieDt of Brooks Bros., corner of Bond street nuil
ltroiidwuy, have still lliolr patrolmen around the prciu- i
Iocs lor the purpose. If possible, of dissuading work- j
men from going to work. Thev also have u guard at
the business pluco ot X. <? Bell, Union square. Tho 1
ineD belonging to lirouks Bros.?about 130?are uot
generally dissatisfied with the new scale ol prices Sub- '
milled to them by their employers, but Insist that tbo
schedule must go before the union for its approval
Ibo Urookses are llrra in their purpose of refusing to
allow the scale to go bclore tbo union, and hence the
diiticulty.
THE WOOD CARTERS,
The German Wood Carvers' Union held a special
meeting ut Turn Hall, Fourth street, last night, when
the action of the German Cabinetmakers' Union on
Tuesday night, In lavor of the eight hour system, was
Indorsed.
A SENSIBLE CONCLUSION.
The Bricklayers' Union Xo. 1, of Jersey City, have ]
resolved on a now policy Tor tlio future government of
the organization. An attempt waa made by a large
section of that body to fix the rate of wages Tor the
present at J:: a day, bill It wus finally decided that llie
rule of wages hereafter Is to be regulated entirely by
the demand. This sensible course will obviate strikes
and conduce to Ibo welfare of the organization.
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
The Stato Military Examining Board, which assembled
at Norwich, Choniugo county, on the 24th ult.,
have recommended that Colonel K. J. Loom is be retained
in command of the 103d regiment, N. (I., end
that the commission of Second Lteuleuunt William H.
Fiulay, Seventy-fourth regiment, bo "vacated" for
disubcdleiico of orders The commissions ol Colonel
Albert F. Smith, Forty eighth regiment; First l.tou- !
tenant Frederick Fiesiur, Tweuly.eighth regiment, and
Sccoud Lieutenant James Item lie, Twenty-first regiment.
are "vacated owing to dellcieucy in tactical
knowledge. "
General orders No. 3, of the current series, which
were issued from the Slate Adjutant General'! odl. e,
under dato of the 1st lust., contain the usual annouureuients
of commissions issued, promotions
awarded and resignations accepted during the month
of February, 1870.
The amc'ndmants lately added to the Military Code
were Isauud from the State Adjutant Generals ofllce
under datu of the 6th tnak
FROM TIMMTCTOO TO PARIS
M. Duponcbel, of Paris, essays to rival M. de Lotsops.
Ho proposes to build a grand trunk railroad !
| through Contra! Africa According to hit scheme In
the Kxjiluratrur, be will got up a powerful international
company similar to that of tboduox Canal Company, with
a capital to commence w.th of 12,000,0001. or 1 i.ooo.OOOI.
(say $2,401,000 or ftil.000,000). He calculates that at
present African trade Is carried ou witQ the intorior
by means of 10,000 camel caravans, representing in
the puorost possiblo way the commercial needs of
SO,000,(too oi people, and that a railroad to 8L I.ouls by
wav of llmbucloo, Algiers anil Marxullc. would connect
the desert of Maliara with I'ariS in 116 boaie, ulid
bring into K ranee at least 1,000,000 tous ol valuable
freight annually y. Paul Kolviliet alto says the lirat
part of the road Is to be from Tripoli to i-ake Tschad,
, tbence to Benin, thence to Cape Vert, Senegal and Tunbncloo.
and ou through Morocco, Ac. The estimated
cost la anoni $44,200 a mile, Including nil apparatus
for workkug. rolling stock. Ac. "Like the Church of
the Middle Ages," tart this scientist, "Industry should
now be a grand moral power, opposing the rude herbansmt
ol war and brute force. '?
MOODY AND SANKEY.
The crowds that attend at the noonday meeting* at
Ihe lilppodrome contluu<- lo lucrt-ate and the choir t*
tlway* strong. Yesterday a number of elegantly
dressed ana evidently fashionable ladies occupied the
rout teal ami assisted Mr. Sankcy. The women's
[uecitugs, wbich are held at one o'clock, draw great
lumber* of cnurch member* as well as those who are
uquirers alter Christ. The service* opened yesier.
lay noon with the singing of the bymft,
'Tako the name of Jesus with you."
i!r. Moody spoko of "Peace." lie said:?There is uo
peace but the peace of Christ, and there Is no uiun in
.tiia worlJ ha* peace unless he is in Christ. There is
110 peace lor I he wicked, l.et them have money and
til worldly gills and possessions, und if tboy do not
iittve Christ they have no ponce. Licit let any one look
it the true Christian and notice his face. In the midst
j{ anxietyj dire trouble and tribulation there is a look
jl heavenly peace on bis face, as if ho stood on a high
mouutaiu and looked down on the world around him
with a calm sssuruuco that (iod would bring him out
ol uli hi* trouble and suffering. l.et us pray lor fill
peace. Let us go to Chi 1st and accept w.th joy wlia<
lie bus so Irccly ollercd us.
Rev. Mr. Snodgrass, uf lloaheu, Orange cunty, and
Rev. A. 0. Vail lollowed Mr. Moody, as alsj did ths
lie v. Dr. Stephen Tyng, Jr. The meeting concluded
with the siugiug of the hymn "Jesus loves me."
I he number ol inquirers yesterday was beyond all
preccduui, and the rooin* were not cloi-od till tines
o'clock, w hen it became necessary to prupure lor lbs
afternoon meeting.
> The aliernoou mcutiug was attended by at least
0,i00 people, the majority, as usual, hoiug ol
the female sex. It opened with the singing ol
the IIT1I1 hymn, "My luith looks up ta
Thee," und alter prayer Mr. Moody continued to
speak on the subject ol tho previous day, '-Excuses."
One of the excuses, lie .said, given by poopls
who are Invited, why they do not accept Christ's invitation,
is that they are not ol the elect It is one of lbs
most loutish ol all excuses, tar Christ did uol conio on
earth lor ihe elect, hut lor siuuyrs; and it was one ol
the reproaches hurled at llim that eveu thieves came
near Htm and Hi' spoke to ilium. Thoro is no uuu so
low, so vile, so lost to all virtue, that cannot approach
IIIm 11 he will, unci if lie comes with it true heart ho *
will be rcceivoil. Ami ibeti again, there are some who
tell you Uul they are waning till they get bettor; but
God does not want you to wait ut all. There is uo necessity
ol lixing up ami putting on other clothes when
you are going to put on the livery of heaven. There WW
oiho a celebrated painter who wanted a model lor I
panning of "The Prodigal Sou." Ho mot u beg; ar ol
tramp on the street one day, and the man's apneurauce
was the very thing he wuulutl. lie stopped him and
asked him if he would not come to his studio on the
tullowing day at a certain hour. The trump said be
would. At the hour mentioned lie appeared. The
painter let him, lu anil said"Well sir, what is your
business?" "Did you not meet me yesterday In the
street, and m.iko an engagement with tnu?" replied
the beggar. "Von! Hull meet you? "Why, whore's
the clothes you hud on ?" asked the painter. "1 borrowed
other ones to tome to see you, sir," was tbu
answer. "Well, you can go now; you are of no use
to mo. I wanteu you us you were yesterday."
Oh, my Irletids! these excuses?these futile, foolish
excuses that we hear around lis every day, Irom men
who ought to know better; Irom tneu and wotnen
who have read the Bible ami know it and believe it I
Hut lltey are so Immersed in the things of this world
they do not want to think ol anything else. They
keep pulling oil till It is too lute, and they die without
ever lluding and accepting Christ. Now, in tbii
blessed time 1 pray to God thut all hererauy be brought
to know Jesus and to love Him. There Is a great revival
pervading this city, and let us all avail ourselves
ol it when the prayers ol hundreds ol thousands ol
Christians arc going up to Hcuven fur help, and God ta
showering down His blessings in answer to these prayers
in untold prolusion.
Mr. Sankey theusang.the hymn ''Watching and Waitlug
ior Me," amid a prolouud silence.
At the evening services there were 7,60J people
present In the Madison avenue hall, and the choir uuuv
tiered about .ri')l). The uroc ediiiL'S onined with thl
luiiinK ul'llio eifrtity tilth hymu, "Jesus, Lover of Mj
Soul," by the whole congregation, and the volume ol
sound produced wui utmost dcaleutnp. 4 short prayci
by one ol the assisting clergy turn, which wag followed by
Mr. Sankey singing the hymn "I I.ovo to Toll the Story,"
and then Mr. Moody read the fwonty-llrst chapter ot
Revolutions and prayed lervently lor the cougregatloi
present that they might bo all brought to Christ. Mt
Sankey again sang tho hymn, "Watching and Waitlui
tor Me" Mr. Moody repealed tho sermon ot the alter
noon, "Excuses," with some lew additions. He spokt
very strongly to the people that niako tin
stereotyped excuse, "Have not time just now,'!
who still livo to tho age or sixty and
seventy years, and yet have never (bund
that necessary niotnemt of tune to look altor their
souls' salvation. He also spoke of the people who
won't be converted because they do not leol
right. People, ho said, who come to Christ when i
they have only a spasmodic fueling seldom stay In the
palii. When the short-lived iccliug vuuisbos they Tall
hack into their old way. Mr. Moody concluded with a
long and earnest prayer to the people to make up their
minds that night to be present at inc marriage supper
ot tbe Lamb. Suppose, be said, I write this uote:?
To tilk Kino or Hkjivk.v: ?
While silting In thi Ilippa lrome March 15, 187J, 1 received
un Invitation to be uresent at the marriage supper
of your only begutleu don. 1 respectfully decline the Invitation.
Will any man sign that? Xo! But when you go out
of this place to-night without accepting Christ you
refuse tne invitation of Christ. The
130th hymn, "In the Christian's Home In
Glory," was then sung, and the meeting was dismissed.
THE KNIGHTS OF ST. PATRICK.
Tho Knights have tnndo preparations for tho ce'obrat'on
of St. Patrick's Day on a scale that promises to
make it a grand success. They have invited to their
banquet some of our most prominent citizens in the
various professions, and the occasion will be one ol
more than usual intoresl. This being tho centennial
year tbey have spared no trouble or expense to' make
the celebration in every way worthy ol tho two great
events. Tho Messrs. I.ulund, of the Slurtevaut House,
will loave nothing to be desired on their part by giving
their guests a sumptuous banquet, aud the toasts and
speeches will alternate with some of tho best selections
iroin Ireland's choicest melodies. Tho Knighu
have bocoitie so popular that societies with the same
title have been organized in all the principal cities
throughout tho couutry, and nt Canada there are
branches of the same organization.
THE CAVING TUNNEL.
A large forco of workmen was employed yesterday la
selling a nugo criu or irainewura 10 prevent a luriuoi
landslide at shaft No. G of the new tunnel under Bergen
Hill. The mouth of the Immense cavity is forty feet
In diameter and the depth li eighty feet. The dwelling
house which stood directly on the place which 13
now a cavern lias been safely removed, aud the tw^
houses on either side were being removed yesterday.
When the crlbwork is completed tlio construction of
an immense sbalt will be Immediately commenced, and
the pile will be carried up to a height ol twenty-live
feet above the sur.ace of the hill. The excavation ol
the tunnel Is almost completed.
PBOBABLY FATAL ACCIDENT.
A woman named Mrs. Danolds, living about three
miles front Peterson, Jumped from a second story window
yesterday morning and sustaiued Injuries from
which it is very likely she will die. Her wrist and
thumb were broken and she was badly bruised in various
parts of her body. She is over seventy years of
age. The act was commuted during a temporary 111 ol
inanity.
THE TRADE IN WTLI) ANIMALS.
A writer for the M itlhrilungen drt Vertint fUr Krknndf,
of (.elpzic, has Just furnished an Interesting
article on the w ild anim.il trade of Europe. He saya
that tno whole business was formerly done hy two
men?one an Ituliau, named Casanova, and the oilier
Charles Hogenbeck, of Hamburg. lu 1802 Casanova
made a treaty with llio wild trtbos ol Tttka, Africa,
engaging to luko ail they could capture, which resulted
In the purchaso from thetn of hundreds of beasts and
reptiles. These were subsequently sent to toe different
zoological societies of Kurope, and are now on exhibition.
In 1874 out M. Von Kelch, ol Aaf'eld, went
to Ka-aal* and captured and bought Iroui the Alrican
chiefs lib giraffe*, *2*.' eleptintiti-, 4 Caff re buffalo, tl
rare unt?lo|iea, 2 tapirs, 2 gorillas, & hyenas and 3
loopard*. Immediately alter ward Hogonbock imported
33 giraffes, lb apes, lu elephants, 13 antelopes, 4 lions,
& leopards, 4 hyenas, h ostriches, 8 rhinoceros and a
number of huge serpents. It tukes Irotn seventy to
eighty days to bring the animals from Kassala to Hatn
burg. Prom the interior ol Africa to the coast they
have to drive the elephants, giraffes, antelopes, buffalo,
Ac., on loot. fasten* I together with ropee and
chains. Olten, through the negl'geuce of the negro
attendants, the lions and leopards gel out of Iho cages
during the transit and croalo a general stampede,
pjiiiina 1<IBM nf life uii.l iyrn.it lnj? nf
BREAKING THEIIt OWN RULES.
To thic Koitor of tilr Hkralo:?
I rode up town on Tuesday evening at a quarter part
ten tu car No. 130, Third avenue line. 1 noticed
printed rules over the door, ouo o( which prohibited
puiociigers "to get on or oil, or to occupy the froaf
plat orm of anr car." Notwithstanding this pasaetk
gcrs kept gelling on and o(T and occupying the froal
platform of No. 120 until the cold air iroin the froal
door became nn Intolerable nuisance. Not only this,
but thn driver and conductor insisted upon letting
passengers in and out that tront door and on and off
that front platform, and even abused and sneered snd
eroded at a gentleman for protesting. The night was '
co.a. too, and the car unpleasant enough without the
dralts from the Iront door.
Now, Mr. Editor, it it poaltlvely hopeless to refort*
these city horse railroads, or must we endure thee#
abuses loreverf FAjJsIlNUKM.