Chicago daily tribune. [volume], January 12, 1875, Page 4, Image 4

About Chicago daily tribune. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1872-1963

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
4
TERMS OF THE TRIBUNE.
tins or icrscrarTrcH (pataiu.x n» Aovircx).
PotUnae Prepaid at tills Office,
iJnltr. br ratll 810.00 |Snn<l«y 93.00
Trl-weeldj «..jO I Wecki/ 2.00
PirU of • jeAt tt the um« rate.
To present dclar »nd m!it»kcf, le *nro tnd *lre Port
Office addrete in full, including State and County.
R«ml(Unee»tnay leninHe either by draft, eipmi. Poit-
Ofliea order, or In rcilsterrd let t era, at onr riik.
tkjihk to citt sunscninxm.
Dally, dcllrered, Snnday eiccpted, S3 eentaperveek
Daily, delivered, Sandey Inrlndcd, 30 cants per wook
4ddresa THU TRIBUNE COMPANY,
Center Uadleon and Dcarborn-ili., Chicago, 111.
TO DAY’S AMUSEMENTS.
ADELPHI THEATRE—Dearborn etreet, corner Mon
roe. Variety eototalnmont.
CHICAGO MUSEUM—Mnnrne eireet, between Dear
born and State. •* Three Yoare in a Man-Trap.’ 1 After
soda and evening.
ACADEMY OF MUSlC—HM«ted*tr(>et.be»ifeen Mart
eon and Monmo. Bngagemontof Charlotte Ttaompeon.
"Jane Eyre.” _____
HOOLKY’B THEATRE—Randolph atreet, between
Clara and LaSalle. “Loat In London,”
M’VICKKU’S THEATRE—Mndi'on atreet. between
Dearborn and State. Bngagetnenl of Bon Da Bar.
••Henry IV."
GRAND OPERA-HOUSK-Clark atreet, opp"«!te
Sherman Ilnur*. Kollrl A Leon’* Miaitrelt, "111*
One# the Duke."
MCCORMICK HALL-Nnrth Clark afreet, earner Kin
xlo, Lcctoro by tho Hon. bohuyler Colfax. Subjects
"Abraham Lincoln."
SOCIETY MEETINGS.
ASHLAR LODGE, No. ZOS. A. P. 4 A. M.-Rexular
communication thU (Tneailay) orcnlne at o’clock,
at their hall, ti Monroa-at., lor work cn tho K. U,
i# of Masonry. The fraternity cordially Incited.
C. 11. CUAiJIi, boo’y.
ATTENTION. SIR KNIGHTS.-Special Conclato of
Apollo Commander)', No. I. K. T., lhn (TuoscJay) nrots
luff, at 7<4 o'clock, at Asylum. Installation of officers
elect. Vliltlnc Sir Knlguta courtcmi-l* invited. By
«rder of tbs K. V. fi. B. W. I.OCKK. Recorder.
pUSINESS NOTICES.
war declared on moil prices.—return*
ed to ttirclo bail*; sßfor fall aotbo«t tiumteoib. First-
Glut filling redact’d nni*-half. Sathfaotlon jrlron or
BioQ«yrefunded, W, R. McCllG3Nli\, cornorClark anu
Kaadolph-sta.
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.
THIRD PAGE—Oily, Suburban, and Country Real
Bsttto, Ren) Estate Wanted, Wants, To Rents. Business
Uliancos, Lost nnd Found, Howiug-Maclilno*, Ag.uts
Wanted, etc., nto.
RI.VENTH P/tOK—Amusement*, Ocean Steamships,
Rsllroud Time-Table, Periodical*, Now Publication*,
Medical Cards, do., etc.
013Swcibmia.
Tuesday Morning* January 12. 1876.
The report of the meeting at Cooper Insti
tute lost night was received too late for any
review of tho speeches. The Democratic
element, our correspondent says, predomi
nated.
A very important decision has lately been
rendered by tho Minnesota Supremo Court,
tho effect of which will bo to impair dll
charters qf corporations derived from tho
Territorial Legislature. Tho reasons of the
decision are given In a dispatch printed this
morning in tho columns of legal nows.
Judge Morris, counsel for Mr. Tilton,
said in his opening speech yesterday that one
of tho witnesses to bo colled by tho plaintiff
would bo Mr. Beecher himself. Of coarse,
Mr. Beecher will not bo expected to convict
himself; and, of course, also, ho will not
refuse to testify on that ground.
Senator Sherman introduced the Forty
first Parallel Railroad bill yesterday with the
flattering remark that he did not at all ap
prove of its character. Such notes of intro
duction have been delivered before now, but
we never heard that tho person or thing so
introduced was much benefited thereby.
If there is ono Professof-of Virtue at the
National Capital moro conspicuous than an
other, that ono is Col. Donn Piatt, who was
yeslerdoy convicted of having received $5,000
from the Pacific Mail corruption fond.
This bribe-taker has been so open
mouthed and indecent in his cal
umnious “exposures" end “investigations'*
that die people long ago began to suspect,
what has now proved to bo the case, that ho
Is himself many fathoms deeper in tho mire
than tho persons whom ho vilified and tra
duced. Most of tho slanders upon President
Gbant which havo at one timo or another
found currency in the public press wore in
vented by Piatt.
Mr. Dan Wild-Cat Tall Sycamobe Voob
hues, having withdrawn his name from tho
Senatorial canvass in Indiana, tho contest is
now practically between Holman and Mc-
Donald. Holman has no views of tho cur
rency question that ho is willing to avow,
while McDonald is in favor of a gradual re
turn to specie, and says so. Thocbanccssoom
‘to bo very much in favor of McDonald. As
for poor Voobhees, his failure is miserable
enough. Wo congratulate tho Democrats of
Indiana that they aro so happily rid of him.
Of coarse, his defeat is to bo interpreted as
settling the fact that the people of Indiana
ore not in favor of unlimited inflation or of
repudiation in any form.
Bourbon rule in Spain begins with tho ap
poiutmeut of Valmaseda as Captoin-Oeneral
of Cuba. Ho is tho “ bloody-butcher"
Captain-General who hod five students shot
for scratching four meaningless lines on a
piece of glass set in a tombstone. Oue-and
o-quarter lives per scratch was a pretty cheap
estimate of human life, even for a Spanish
grandee in Cuba, and Valmaseda had to bo
recoiled. Althonbo XII. sends him back
again, and he asks for 20,000 more troops to
prolong tho hopeless struggle. A man of his
murderous stamp is just about fit to represent
Spanish barbarity and weakness. He will no
doubt murder, oppress, and rob to his Royal
master's content, and ho will no doubt fail to
subdue Cuba as utto.ly as every titled blood
hound lot loose on that unhappy inland hero
tofore has failed.
Somo of tho bills introduced in tho House
at Washington yesterday read remarkably
well by thoir titles ; and, os tho American
people will in all probability never hear any
thing more of them, wo desire to call partic
ular attention to them at once. One was a
bill to abolish tho office of Lieutenant-Gen
eral of the Army. It come, of course, from a
Bourbon Democrat,—one who admired
Shebidan just as little when ho made
his dash at Winchester os when be
suggested the suppression of tho White-
League brigands in Louisiana. Another bill
proposes that the import duties of the United
Btates shall be increased by 10 per cent quar
terly, beginning nest March, until American
gold shall bo at par with tho legal-tender
notes. How much the import duties would
be increased under this act wo do not daro to
say. We might in time como to bo as near
specie-payments and in the same prosperous
condition every way as Cuba is. They havo
tried tho plan ip Cuba.
The Chicago produce markets wero gen
erally tame yesterday. Mess pork was
Moderately active, and 10® 12 I 2j per bri
lower, closing at $18.70 cash, and $18.83®
18.871-2 seller February. Lard was less
active and easier, closing nt $10.40®10.45
cnsli, and slo.r>2 1-2(3)10.33 seller February.
Monts were quiet and easier at 0 l-2®o 3-So
for shoulders, 5) l-2c forshort ribs, and 10c for
short clear. Dressed hogs woro active and
firmer at $7.73®8.20 per 100 lbs. High
wines woro active and firmer, closing nt 03c.
Flour was dull and unchanged. 11*11001 was
less active and l-2e lower, closing at 83 1- lc
cash, and 88 3-8 seller February. Corn was
in fair demand and a shade firmer, closing
strong nt GO l-4e cash, and 72c seller May.
Oats were moderately active, and l-8o higher,
closing nt 32 0-So cash, and 32 3-So for Febru
ary. Bye wan quiet and firm at 90c. Barley
was dull and firm, closing at $1.24 1-4 cash,
and $1.23 seller February. Hogs were fairly
active and unchanged, with sales at so.oo®
7.30. Cattle and sheep were in fair demand
and firm.
There has been a great hue and cry among
the ex-Robclsof tho South and their Northern
sympathizers over Gen. Sheridan's dispatch
in which tho word “ banditti ” was used.
They have assumed, without any warrant
whatever, that Gen. Sheridan applied tho
word tofl/Uho people in Louisiana, Mississippi,
and Arkansas. Ho did no such thing. His
dispatch first recommends tho arrest and trial
“of ringlcadcrsof tho armed White Leagues.”
The very next paragraph says : “ If Congress
would pass a bill declaring them banditti, they
could bo tried by a military commiasion.”—
that Is, “ tho ringleaders of the armed White
Leagues." Nov/, unless nil tho people of
Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississqipi arc
Whito-Longuors, nud not only White-
Leaguers but firmed Whito-Lcaguers, nud
not only armed Whito-Loagnors but ring
leader* of armed Whito-Lcaguers, they do uot
como under tho application of banditti as
Gen. Sheridan used tho word. This Is but
another instance of tho tendency of the
Southern people and tho Democrats to go off
like an old blunderbuss at “half-cock” in
this Louisiana affair. They have not stopped
to study the matter as it actually is. They
do not want to do this. They simply desire
to howl, and howl they will in spite of tho
facts in, tho case.
The call for tho Bourbon meeting in Now
York City relative to tho Louisiana trouble
says : “ A legislative body of a sister State,
pcaceobly assembled, ban been broken into
and dispersed by Federal troops, acting un
der orders from tho President of tho United
States.” Hero aro several distinct falsehoods.
Tho Legislature was not organized peaceably,
and was not organized at all, as has been
shown repeatedly, and tho troops woro not
acting under orders of tho President, but
(lid act first under tho orders of tho Demo
crats, and second under tho orders of tho
Governor of tho State, at tho request
of tho Republican members; and, lastly,
that they did not “ disperse tho Logisla
ture,” but simply removed five impostors
from one branch thereof, who had no color
of right to seats, at tho order of tho Governor
and fifly-two members of tho body. They
did not touch or molest any person who had
a certificate of election or a right to sit in tho
body. And yet, upon tbo strength of these
gross falsehoods, tho newspapers of Now
York City havo induced certain people of
that city, headed by tho venerable Mr.'
Bryant, to coll a meeting to denounce tbo
action of tho President, who has not taken
the first stop in the matter I This is properly
described as “ going off nt half-cock.”
Wo have to chronicle another good result
of tho extension of tho Boltiraoro & Ohio
Railroad to this city. It has enlarged tho
competition in tho cool business by giving
Chicago direct communication with tho coal
mines nt Shawnee, 0., and by making tho
freight so reasonable that thero has already
been a reduction of 30 cents a ton in tho
price of bituminous coal, which is equivalent
to a saving of several hundred thousand dol
lars a year to this city. Cheap coal in Cui
cago may now bo regarded as an assured
fact. A few years ago tho LoSnllo and
Wilmington mines hod a practical monopoly,
which tho Illinois railroads mado tho most
of ; whenever tho canal was closed, freights
would go up. Then tho Danville Road was
opened, and tho Indiana coal fields became
accessible, which was a great help. Now
that tho Baltimore & Ohio road has brought
tho Ohio coal fields within our reach, Chica
go will scarcely ever be subjected to ony
combination in rates that can make coal dear.
Cheap coal will contribute more than nil clso
to tho progress of Chicago as a manufactur
ing city. Tho consumption of tho smoko
must bo rendered practical before wo con en
joy tho full benefits of this plentiful supply
of coal; but we must regal'd this os sure to
como, and, when it docs, Chicago will have
advantages as a manufacturing city nn
equaled in tho Western country.
Tho witness Abert, being brought to tho
bar of tho House yesterday, and having boon
informed that ho would bo committed for
contempt if ho did not reveal tho names of
the persona to whom ho disbursed Pacific
Mail corruption znonoy, agreed to testify as
desired. Ho was then examined privately by
tho Ways and Moans Committee, and
it camo out that be paid $23,000
to Col. John W. Forney, proprio
tor of tho Philadelphia Press; SIB,OOO
to a Mr. Suaw, tho Washington correspond
cut of tho Boston Transcript; $5,000 to
Bonn Piatt, proprietor of the Washington
Capital; cud smaller amounts to other news
paper correspondents. Wo aro pained and
surprised to loam that tho press, too, boa
been bought; that tho one protection which
tho people havo against corruption aud na
tional degradation is not so sound and
steadfast as wo supposed it was. But
wo do not tiro of tho investigation. Tho hot
ter tho scout is, the moro vigorously it
should bo pursued. Wo want to know, and
to have the countiy know, tho names of the
Journalists who hovo betrayed their profes
sion Into tho hands of the money-lenders
and tho corruptionists. The oaso of Mr,
Forney will provoke as much pity as indigna
tion. That a long Ufo distinguished for
eminent services to tho cause of freedom
should be crowned by r.o disgraceful on flbt is
surely a distressing thing.
Mi*. Robinson is ono of tho Senators from
Cook County who enjoys tho distinction of
having been elected, in a Republican district,
over his competitor by Republican votes. No
wonder, therefore, that Mr. Robinson should
seize the very first opportunity to distinguish
himself and justify the votes of his Repub
lican constituents who gave him his place.
Vho oeeobion presented itself yesterday. Ho
called for n joint committee of fourteen to
consider •• the outrage upon tho rights of our
si.dcr blutu of Louisiana.” Mr. Robhison, of
course, expects to bo Chairman of that
Committee, and he proceeded forth.
THE CHICAGO DAILY TRIRUNE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1875.
with to display some of his eminent
qualifications thercf'.r. When questioned
concerning the source of his information
whereon ho based his resolution, ho admitted
with more frankness Hum ingenuity that “ it
was immaterial, and lie was not informed.”
which is true of most other subjects ns well
ns this one. In other words, ho didn't know
where ho got his information ; and it was all
the same, since ho proposed to have a shy nt
the “ outrage” business anyway. Wo think
Mr. Robinson ought not to bo deprived of
the Chairmanship of that “ Outrage ” Com
mittee, and his Republican constituents
ought immediately to prepare a handsome
testimonial for his eminent services to Cook
County. Why should not some of tho dis
tricts of Cook County bo represented by a
braying ass as well as districts in other ports
of the State ?
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK OH THE OUTRAGE
BUSINESS.
The discussion of tho Louisiana emeuto has
brought out one prominent fact relative to tho
journalism of tho two representative Northern
cities, Chicago and New York. Tho latter
press, claiming for itself a metropolitan and
cosmopolitan character and everything outside
of Now York as “provincial,” has now shown
itself to bo merely a shftllow-pntcd, partisan
press, conducted in tho interests of virulent
Bourbouism; and, true to tho proverbial
character of tho Bourbon, never learns any
thing. In contradistinction to tho course of
tho superficial Now York press, tho Chicago
press has comprehended and recognized tho
gravity of tho situation in Louisiana, and
treated it in a calm, moderate, and reasonable
manner, and in consonance with facts, so far
os facts have become known. This is
true of every paper in Chicago,— The
Tribune, Timet, Inter-Oeean, and Slant*.
Zcilung, of tho morning papers, and tho
Journal, Pont, and Fcue Frcie-Vresse,
of tho evening. None of these papers
entirely agree in their views of political
questions, and yet all of them have discussed
tho Louisiona question upon a basis of facts,
have endeavored to arrive at some reasonable
and logical view of tho situation, and to sug
gest some practical remedy, and in this way
have kept tho public pulse cool and steady.
On the other hand, the New York papers
have not waited for facts or recognized facts
at all, but have united in one general howl of
rr.go and malignity against tho President,
who has as yet neither acted nor spoken in
tho Louisiana matter. Foremost among
them in malicious rancor is tho paper which
Horace Greeley founded, and which, dur
ing his lifetime, did yeoman service for lib
erty and Unionism. Since it has passed into
tho ownership of the lata Jim Fish’s partner,
Jay Gould, it has been conducted in tho in
terests of Bourbouism and stock-gambling.
Tho Herald, Express, World, and Sun,—tho
latter perhaps tho mangiest cur of tho lot, as
its hostility to tho President is based upon
personal spito and disappointed cupidity,—
bowl in unison, pay no regard to facts
uidcss it bo to distort and misstate them, and
have no other object apparently in view ex
copt to inflame tho public mind. Even poor
old Mr. Bcyant, turning his 90th year, and
arrived at an ago when ho should bo in tho
enjoyment of that serene philosophy which
grows out of a life lived in tho higher realms
of poetry, is dragged away from his Homeric
labors, and allows himself to trail his poet’s
robes through the political miro. Can any
thing be more pitiable than this spectacle of
tho Bard of Thanatopsis dropping his lyre,
which has just sounded tho epic strains of
Homer, to turn tho Democratic hand-organ
for the edification of the blind and misled
populace ? Even Iho Now York 2'imes has
not stood up tiforo tho storm, as it
should have doao, but bows its head
and pathetically weeps. And this is the
stylo in which tho great metropolitan aud
cosmopolitan papers of New York treat tho
most important question before tho country I
Tho Burlington Courier and Squashvillo
Patriot are dignified compared with thorn.
Have wo arrived ot that epoch of Republic
anism when honesty gives place to bate;
when the press deliberately closes its eyes to
facts; when, instead of using its efforts to
extinguish the conflagration aud quiet tho
frightened multitude, it seizes tho torch,
spreads tho fire, and excites tho popular
passion? If so, then wo aro not much bettor
off than was Paris during tho Commune, and
bruto force alone can save us. If so, then,
indeed, has tho time como when tho sword
and tho boyonct are tho elements of the gov
erning power, end tho Bonatartes and tho
CuiSAES might as well mount their thrones.
Tho newspapers of Now York and Chicago
are tho exponents of tho character of tho two
cities. Chicago is a young city, built upon
the prairies only a few years ago, and stocked
with tho best and freshest blood of tho
nation. Sho has no taint of treason resting
upon her ; has had no ancestry to transmit
bad qualities. Bho is radical to tho core, and
tempers her radicalism with reason, and dis
cusses great national questions without heat
or passion. During her short existence sho
has been as true as steal to tho Union in tho
day of its soro peril. In tho War of tho
Rebellion, with a population averaging but
200,000, sho placed 27,000 men in tho field
to defend tho Union. What was Now
York doing at that time ?• After
tho battle of Qottoyshurg, when tho
army should have boon used to follow up its
victory, 27,000 mou had to ho withdrawn and
sent to Now York City I Gunboats wero sto
tioned in Now York bay training their guns
upon tho city. Why? To put down tho
treason and rebellion which had broken out
there. From the beginning of the Civil War
to its close, tho Government was hindered by
this “ fire in tho rear ” which came from-tho
secessionist mosses of Now York. It openly
sympathized with Rebels. It opposed tho
drafts with violence. It shot and hanged ne
groes. It burned colored orphan asylums.
It attacked loyal newspaper offices, and to
day ouo of its newspapers is leagued hand in
glovo with tho men who attacked it. It has
always been thohomoof “State Sovereignty,”
always claimed that tho States aro sovereign
•nationalities in themselves, and that tho Na
tional Government has no rights except in
tho Territories, in the Custom-Houses and
Pout-Offices, and ou the dock of a gunboat,
and its howl to-day is only a howl for “ State
Sovereignty.” Chicago’s first attachment is
to the Union ? New York to tho State. Chi
cago dates back thirty or forty years, and its
first effort was in behalf of tho Union, to
which it gavo its money and its best blood.
Now York’s dates back to the Revolution,
when it was tho nest-egg and headquarters of
Toryism. It was the last place in America to
desert Qcorob III.; tho last place which
hauled down tho British flog. Its Toryism
has clung to it over oiaco. It h<n never re
covered from its antipathy to the •;overn
iueut of tho United titates os a u&u< -... Its
blood is hunted at tho fountain with tho urns
of disloyalty. Its morality is poisoned by Us
slums. Its politics ore corrupted all through.
Its commercial honor is intho bauds of sharp
era find speculators. It is the plague-spot of
tho country. Its newspapers reflect iU char
acter.
A REVOLUTIONARY PROCEEDING.
Tho organ of tho Ijouisinuu White League
is tho Now Orleans JinUctin, which is a rod
hot incendiary sheet that has done everything
in its power to cause mischief in tho organ
ization of tho Louisiana Legislature. We
take from its columns tho following extract,
showing how tho House of Representatives
was “organized” on tho-Ithinst. It says:
Tho nnnoimcement of a quorum hud Just boon made
when Mr. J, 3. iln.Lum, of Lafourche, moved that tho
Hon. L. A. Wilt* bo declared Speaker pro Um,
Vuirns, tho Clerk, did not entertain tho motion, and
Mr. llillico put ft himoolf, calling tho alhrmatlvo and
negative, and declared Mr. Wilt* elected. Tho dec
laration wna no sooner mada than Mr. Wilt* was on
tbo stand and had taken tho millet from Vini:ns, who
vainly endeavored to contest Ida right of possession.
Ha rapped tho gavel smartly and called tho Horn* to
order.
.Tustlco JIofsTOK Immediately slopped forward and
admlnlsterod the oath. Ab a inemlwr of the House,
Wilt* called on Lowell, Itolng the oldest member, to
•wear him In »s Speaker. Lovvkll declined.
Wilt* retained ILo chair amidst (treat excitement
and tbo howl.i of Murrell, of Madison.
Speaker Wilt*, when quiet was restored, swore in
the members in n body, they rising iu their seats.
Ed Flood was then elected ficrgcant-at-Aruis pro
Um,, sod P, J. Trkzkvant Clerk pro (cm.
A resolution declaring L. L. Scales and CnAnLßfl
Rciialxii. oflho Parish of Dckoio; C. C. Dunn, of
(Ir.mt Parish ; Jamks Hujce, of LionvUlo, ami O. A.
Kellt, of Wiau Parish, members of tho llou*c, has
Im.ch adopted. Right is reserved to the Opposition
candidates to coutebt.
Those four members, tt will bo remembered, were
referred to the Legislature, and the memborn seated aro
those declared elected by the Democratic Committee.
A call for the ayes and nucs on a division was de
clared nut of order, as the Uouao had not been perma
nently organized.
Tho Democrats having thus recruited five
additional members from the lobby, then—
Spe-dier Wilt* ordered a call of tho roll on the elec
tion of Spanker. It resulted no follows :
Wilt*, 53; Hahn, 2; blank, 1, nud Clerk Treze-
VA»r nuciau-J the Hon. L. A, Wiltz elected Speaker.
Thin voto confirms Gen. Sheridan's report
that thcro were but fifty Democrats present
in tho beginning; tho votes for Hahn were
given by Republicans, Hahn voting blank.
This is the Democratic version of what took
place. The law of tho Slato provides that
those members of tbo Legislature who shall
bo declared duly elected by tho Returning
Hoard shall alone participate in the organiza
tion of the House. The House consists of
111 members, and IOC were returned as
elected. Tho cases of tho other five were re
ferred to the House for its decision when or
ganized, Tho temporary occupation of tho
chair by Wiltz, though illegal aud usurping
of itself, amounted to nothing; but Wiltz
refused to allow tho roll to bo called and
votes taken because tho House was not or
ganized ; and yet, without being organized,
without boin& a “House” in any legal
sense, ho declared that jive persons who
were unknown to tho law, aud pro
hibited by law from participating in
tho organization of the House, wore mem
bers ! On this motion ho refused to allow
tho legally-elected members to voto by yeas
and nays. Having declared the resolution
adopted and tho Democratic voto increased to
55, ho then allowed tho roll to be called for
tho election of a permanent Speaker.
Tho action of admitting these five men, re
fusing to permit the voto to bo taken thereon
by yeas and nays, was illegal and revolutionary.
Tho men had no credentials; not even jrcima
fade evidence of election ; wore excluded by
the Returning Board, and were prohibited by
law from participating in tho organization of
the House. Their admission was scandalous,
infamous, and revolutionary. Tho assump
tion that every legislative body is tbo exclu
sive judge of tho election of its own members
does not apply in this case, because the House
woo not yet organized, was not a “ House,”
and, by express provision of law, no persons
but tho 100 returned members had any legal
authority to voto or act as members. In
view of these facts, how supremely absurd
and inconsiderate are the fanatical bowlings
of tho New York press.
THE TOM SCOTT AND BT. LOTUS JOB.
Before Congressmen voto on tho proposi
tion to make tho people pay for laying 0,000
miles of track for tho Atlantic J i Pacific and
tho Texas Pacific wild-cat railroads across
tho interior deserts of the continent, it will
bo well for them to know what sort of coun
try these roads propose to “develop." It
may be that sandystretches and rugged rocks
cannot bo mado to blossom like tho rose, oven
when manured with bonds and greenbacks ad
lib. Wo publish elsewhere in this issue
extracts from Gen. Hazek’s article in
tho current number of the North
American Review, which will convince
tho impartial reader that it is idle
to dream of developing this droaiy, barren
highland waste by constructing one or two
or a thousand railroads through it. Wo in
vite Congressmen to read those extracts in
order that they may know whether or not to
voto $150,000,000 of tho people’s money
outright, and $800,000,000 more in tho shape
of forty years’ interest at 5 per cent in aid of
this double swindle, and wo invito tho peo
ple who nro threatened with wholesale plun
der to road them, in order that they may
promptly rebuke at tho polls the mis-Repro-
Bontatives who favor this flagrant fraud,—this
attempt at a legalized robbery of tho National
Treasury. Gen. Hazek first reviews tho
intended route of tho Texas Pacific. East of
tho OSth parallel, which passes near Dallas,
Tex., tho country is fertile, woll-watered,
rich. West of this line, its nature rapidly
changes for tho worse. The streams vanish
as tho hot weather begins; tho rain-fall less
ens ; tho timber is scanty and stunted; tho
herbage changes into tho wiry buflalo-gross;
tho soil is arid. The seasons have a curious
triennial course. There is considerable but
insuflicicnt rain for two or threo years, and
then a destructive drought for os long a time.
“In tho third successive dry season tho grass
actually disappears altogether, and the earth
cracks open in immense fissures ; great diffi
culty is thou found in subsisting stock aud
much actually perishes." As the traveler
passes west from tho 100 th parallel, for 1,000
miles, tho infrequent pools of water are full
of alkali, and tho desolate plains are studded
with cactus aud other thorny shrubs. The
only land fit for cultivation is confined to
the narrow volleys of uncertain streamy.
When the dreary route is almost done, Cali
fornio is ’entered, “where, for a hundred
miles, or until wo cross the range of moun
tains about 20 miles from tho soa, there is a
worthless, sterile plain." Even the strip
between mountains and sea is not
of much veluo in Southern Califor
nia. This, be it remembered, is the
description given by an unprejudiced
observer, who has served In every
Territory of the Union except Alaska and
Arizona, of the route of the Texas Pacific. It
is this worthless wilderness which Tou Scott
proposes to spend hundreds of millions of
other people’s money upon “for the good of
the country," alias Tou Scorr.
The Atlantia ± Pacific, which is to ran
along the 85th parallel, if it can squeeze
enough money out of the National Treasury,
will unite with the Texas Pacific in Arizona.
Its construction is tho briba which Boott of
fers to St. Louis for its support of the huge
joint Job. T!»e nature of tbo country through
which it passes, bcforo tho junction, is sub
stantially tho same, says Gcu. Hazf.n,
as that already described. Tho fertile land
begins to disappear at about tho 08th
parallel, and “ peters out" thoroughly by tho
time tho lOlHh parallel is reached. Thence
forth wo havo little strips of good soil
with desert waters surrounding thorn, —ono
aero of good to 100 acres of bad. “ Tho
western half of tho Indian Territory is too
dry and barren to till, and [tho country] con
tinues so, with sonio fow exceptions, until
wo roach tho Rio Orando in Now Mexico."
Tho valley of this stream offers a small area
of oultivntablo land. Going west again, wo
outer a volcanic, desolate country. Its only
products ore sago-brush, juniper, and stuntod
piuo. It is so worthless that no gamo is
found in it. Out of every 100 acres, 98 1-2
aro of no uso. Tho laud beyond tho point
of junction has been already described ns al
most utterly arid, and in summer intensely
hot and parched.
Of what possible use will those two roads
bo to St. Louis and the South ? Tho way
traffic will never amount to anything worth
considering,—-sage-brush and alkali-water aro
not in active demand. Tho frightful heat on
Uio plains in summer and tho fearful storms
on the mountains in winter will lay an almost
perpetual embargo on tho transport of per
ishable through freight. And there will bo
littlo through freight to transport. Tho
products of tho South will still seek tho At
lantic seaboard, as they do now, because
it is thcro that tho goods bonght in ex
change for their cotton aro to bo found.
Tho products of the Pacific Slope will
still seek a market at San Francisco, instead
of San Diego, in Southern California, tho tor
minus of tbo Tom Scott lino, because North
ern Californio, Oregon, and Nevada, which
form tho producing section of tho slope, lio
much nearer San Francisco than Ban Diego.
Tho markets of Asia will not bo put in com
munication with tbo latter port, because tho
vessels which bring silk and tea will go where
they con reload for tho return voyage,—to
wit.: to San Francisco. Thcro will thus be
no way and no through freight. Tho
roods for which tho people will havo
paid $150,000,000, principal and inter
est, will consist of four rusty, unused
threads of iron spanning a desert for nino
tenths of tho distance. St. Louis has a Pa
cific road of her own,—the Kansas Pacific.
Sho has access to extensive regions now
with tho aid of this, the narrow-gnugo roads
from Denver, and the roads connecting with
Texas. A train once a day to and from a
desert could do her little good. Tho Union
Pacific is as much a Southern as it is a North
ern road. It is central. 'What the South
needs is not an air-lino route to tho Pacific
across tho arid wastes, but tho improvement
and perfection of the routes it already has to
tho Atlantic and to tho North. Two or th.-xn
first-class steamship lines between its sea
board and Europe would bo of more advan
tage to it than a dozen railroads across those
almost uninhabitable parched deserts of tho
western interior of the continent.
THE INDEPENDENT AND BOURDON Alr
LIANOE.
Mr. Plater, of Hardin County, a Bourbon
Democrat, yesterday introduced a bill in the
House of Representatives at Springfield to
repeal the law which admits colored children
to tho privileges of tho pnblie schools.
Mr. ALnnianT, another Bourbon Democrat,
from Jackson County, has a like bill which
excludes the colorecl children from tho pub
lic schools, but permits their education in
separate schools.
Tho next is Senator Buhke, a veteran
Bonrbon from Macoupin County, who intro
duced a bill to abolish tho State Normal
School at Bloomington, and tho conversion
of the building and grounds into an asylum
for the incurable insane, and to abolish the
Southern Normal School, at Anna, and its
conversion to tho use of tho feeble-minded
children of the State.
These arocharacteristiomeosures. Though
neither of these bills will be likely to pass,
they will find a hearty support from tho gen
tlemen of the Democratic party who believe
in “State Sovereignty” and whoso plotform
is tho resolutions of '9B, and who think that
one of tho inolionablo rights of on American
citizen is to bring up his children in ig
norance. Let os look ot what these hills
propose. There wore in Illinois in 1870
less than 6,000 colored children of tho school
ago. These ore scattered through tho 2,000
or more school districts of the State. They
do not average much over two children to a
school district, while in hundreds of districts
there are none. They do not, except in very
rare instances, furnish enough pupils to jus
tify a separate school. Tho proposition now
is to exclude these unfortunates, whoso only
crime is their color,—and many of them have
white blood in their veins,—from having any
opportunity to learn even tho rudiments that
are taught in the ordinary country district
school. Tho men who propose this exclusion
ore loud in their denunciation of the ig
norance of the colored population, and yet
they insist upon perpetuating Oil** alleged
ignorance by denying to these children tho
privilege of attending the public schools, and
at the some time they call themselves Demo
crats I
The Republicans who, under tho pretext of
being Independents, defeated the Republican
candidates, can congratulate themselves upon
tho allien they have selected.
Senator Boitsu’s proposition is a stop be
yond that of his Democratic colleagues. He,
of coarse, shares the hostility to letting the
negro loom to read and write; but his dis
gust for teaching negroes extends to schools
generally. The State lias established, too,
schools for tho education of teachers, free to
all persons from all parts of tho State. Tho
object of these schools is to furnish os far as
possible a largo annual corps of qualified
teachers for the schools, public and private,
in the State. These pupils are not only edu
cated, but have a special education as teach
ers, and are trained and experienced in their
profession. The University ot Normal has
not only furnished numbers of teachers, but
bos sent forth many who, in like man
ner, have taught others how to teach.
The University at Anna has but
recently begun, but it was needed,
and will la due time bo of great value to the
State. Good teachers are essential to good
schools; the better tho teachers, the better
the schools, and experience has shown that
the best teachers are they who have been
specially educated as snob. Senator Bubkk
and bis Bourbon colleagues wish to break up
those teachers' colleges. They look upon
schools as nurseries of intelligence, and
teachers as emissaries of knowledge; both,
the untiring enemies of ignorance. The less
improved tho teachers, tho poorer the schools,
and the less dangerous to that Democracy
which rests upon a basis of ignorance, de
pravity, and prejudice, and whose funda
mental principle is that ihs American Union
is not a nation, but a mere league or partner*
ship of independent States, of winch the
General Government is the creation. The
fewer and poorer are the schools, the more
people will believe such stuff and nonsense.
Tho Democratic proposition to convert the
Normal Schools into asylums for tho incur
able insane and feeble-minded can only re
ceive tho support of tho feeble-minded class
of people who are ridden and driven by such
incurable Bourbon bigots as this man Bunnc,
of Macoupin.
We hope that the Republican “ Independ
ents ” who elevated a confrere of this bigot
to the Presidency of the Senate can reconcile
their acts with their conscience.
But it is not our purpose to argue tho ques
tion with those negro-hating and intelligence
hating Bourbons, but simply to invito tho at
tention of tho Republican Independents in
both branches of tho Legislature, and of their
constituents, to tho political associates they
have selected, and with whom they have
chosen to fraternize.
A HINT IN MUNICIPAL REFORM.
Some time ago a Commission of live men
was appointed to prepare a now charter for
tho municipality of Boston. Its most promi
nent member was Judge B. R. Conns, who
was perhaps the ablest constitutional lawyer
in tho country. Before his death, last Sep
tember, tho main provisions of tho charter
wore all decided upon, so that tho instrument
bears tho weighty impress of his hand
throughout. Tho charter has to bo submitted
to tho City Council, which will probably re
ject it, since it curtails tho power of tho
Council and sadly interferes with ring rule in
general. It can thou, however, bo presented
to the Legislature. If ratified by that body
and by tho popular vote, it will become nlatt,
despite tho Council. It is full of hints for
Chicago reformers, and wo therefore sketch
its scope with some detail.
The‘executive and legislative functions are
sharply divided, and the former is centered
in the Mayor. Ilia term of office is lixed at
three years, and ho ia to receive on “honor
able and adequate ” salary, which must not
bo changed during his term. Ho has the veto
power, appoints, with the approval of the
Council, all heads of Departments and mem
bers of Commissions, except some of the
School Board, and has entire control of the
police. It will bo seen that his duties and
responsibility are greatly magnified. The
legislative branch is to consist of two Houses,
—twelve Aldermen, chosen for three years,
one*third of them annually, and forty-eight
Councilmon, chosen for two years, half of
them annually. It is expressly provided that
uo Alderman or Councillor shall discharge
any executive function or spend any of the
public money. The executive Departments
are many,-—altogether too many. There
are fifteen of them. Fourteen ore under the
charge of Commissions of from three to five
members. The remaining one, the Public
School Board, consists of six members ap
pointed by the Mayor and a committee of
forty-eight, elected by the people, two from
each ward. This machinery seems altogether
too cumbrous. Government by Commissions
or Boards is an outgrowth of late years, and
has served as a cover for the most stupendous
frauds. It was the machinery with which
Tweed worked, and the minor Tweeds of
other cities have found it an apt tool for their
purposes. It scatters responsibility, whereas
the great reform needed, in municipal and
national politics, is to concentrate responsi
bility, This is the weak point of the Boston
charter. It is something to be shunued, not
copied, by Western reformers. The Mayor, to
be sure, has the power of removing his
appointees, and this is an admirable pro
vision, but it is not enough. No ring of
four or five men can bo broken up by dis
placing one or two of its members. Each
Deportment should bo under the control of
ono man, appointed by and removable by tho
Mayor. Then responsibility is reduced to a
a fine point, and men intrusted with power
dare not misuse it. The system of govern
ment by Boards is largely due to tho costly
passion for multiplying offices which con bo
used os political bribes, and to tho fact that
it furnishes such a safe cloak for corruption.
There is no more senso in having a Board of
Fire Affairs than a Board of Mayors. When
centralization of power involves greater, in
stead of loss, responsibility to tho people, it
is something to bo sought instead of shunned.
THE “COUP D'ETAT'* SYSTEM.
Oar correspondent at Now Orleans,
“Reno,” has penetrated the superficial crust
of the present Louisiana excitement, and, in
his letter printed in The Tribune of yoster.
day, he come nearer the fundamental error of
the Louisiana people than any correspondent
who has written of their troubles. They lie
beyond the Wiltz Legislature, beyond iho
emeuto of Sept. 11 last, beyond the Kzm.oao
election of 1672, and beyond the Reconstruct
tion of 18G8. They are to bo found in the
character of the people from whom New Or
leans and the greater part of Louisiana are
composed. They are the olhonations of a
deep-rooted disloyalty of long-standing, and a
native predisposition to hatred and rebellion
against the Federal Government. The funda
mental errors of the Louisiana people may
be divided into three classes, viz. : Generic,
traditional, and political.
I. The generic trouble with Louisiana is
that its influential people belong mainly to
the Latin race. The Briton and Teuton
unite in devotion to parliamentary, constitu
tional government, and the settlement of dis
putes by the judiciary. They frame statutes
and submit private and political complica
tions to their solution. They are cool, de
liberate, and law-abiding. No so the Celtic
Latins. They believe in the revolutionary,
coup d’etat system. They hold that the mi
nority may rule whenever they develop saftt
ciont physical force or political cunning to
overthrow the majority rule. The coup d'etat
theory has come down to them as an
heir-loom of their race. As it prevails
to-day. in France and Spain, so it pre
vails in Louisiana. If repressed at all,
it must be by the force of arms, As the peo
ple of the North appeal to the ballot-box, so
the people of Louisiana appeal to nitro
glycerine and gunpowder. They must have
a periodical explosion. The French Creole of
Now Orleans whips out his revolver or draws
his bowie-knife os readily as the Communist
of Paris throws petroleum. Revolution to
them is a heaven-bora right. Like Boobeb
nx’s reading and writing, it comes by nature.
Self-government means that every man shall
govern according to his own notions, and
whenever he is in the minority he resorts to
the coup d'etat to secure the privilege.
1L The traditional trouble with the Loui
siana people, like the generic, is disloyalty.
New Orleans ia Louisiana, jqst as Boris is
France. And Now Orleans bos always been
a disloyal city. It has never bud nny sympa
thy with the American people. There was a
protest when Franco sold the province to the
United States to save losing It in the straggle
with Great Britain* France could transfer
the territory, bnt not the love and allegiance
of the Louisiana people. They retained
their superstitions, their language, their
customs, and characteristics as a dis*
tinct people. On ono side of Canal
street in New Orleans, in a largo part of tho
Tccho country, and in many of tho planta
tions along tho river, ono would think him
self in Franco rather than America. lie rocs
French costumes, meets French faces, and
hoars nothing but tho French language. It
is not strange that a people who have retained
tho language, personal characteristics, and
associations of tho insurrectionary French
people should adhere to tho French theory of
revolution.
111. Tho political trouble with tho Loui
siana people is the survival of tho effete soph
ism of State Sovereignty. This political her
esy is deeply instilled in their minds and
hearts. They regard tho Stale as tho only
sovereign, and this sovereign is subject tc
tho vagaries of a revolutionary people. As tc
tho National Government, tho people of Lou.
isiaua believe that it exists and has authority
only in tho custom-houses, mints, fortr,
men-of-war, tho District of Columbia, and
tho Western Territories. They do not con
cede, however, that it has anything whatever
to do with tho preservation of Louisiana of a
State or tho loyalty of tho Louisiana people
to tho nation. This belief in State Sover
eignty was not eradicated by tho Civil War.
The Federal army of occupation had not been
withdrawn from Louisiana before tho people
wore rampant in their reassortion of tho Bt:.le
Sovereignty doctrine. It is their political
bulwark. Behind it there may bo anarchy,
revolution, disorder, rebellion, and bloodshed.
But the United States Government must look
on in silence and permit tho peoploof Louisi
ana to assert tho inalienable right and natural
proclivity of cotip d'etat and throat-cutiir.g.
In a community controlled by such ele
ments as wo have described it is too much to
hope that wo shall have, for generations to
come, such quiet, loyalty, and peace os wo
find in Illinois, or Ohio, or any other State
fundamentally American in feeling, associa
tion, tradition, pride and hope. There will
bo more or less political disturbance jur,t so
long as tho coup d'etat system exercises a
control. Tho Notional Government inuit
expect revolution and anarchy just so long
as State Sovereignty is tho abiding faith of
tho ruling classes. But reason and experience
alike dictate tho necessity of meeting State
Sovereignty and coup d’etat with tho strong
arm of tho Government. They can only be
put down by the force of tho bayonet; and,
while tho lessons of tho Rebellion ore so re
cent, wo must bo prepared to moot them with
superior force wherever they show their
heads.
THE STATE PENITENTIARY,
The biennial report of tho Commissioners of
tho Illinois Stato Penitentiary is a very interest
ing document. Many of its details hfivo boon
received by telegraph and published. The Com
missioners report that tho institution has been
self-sustaining for over two years. Thij is iu
excellent contrast with the condition of tbv pris
on some few years ago, when the cost of main
taining it was SI,OOO a day In addition to tho
earnings of the 1,000 convicts. For the changes
that have eventuated ia the groat reform that
has taken place in this respect tbs Stats is in
debted largely to Mr. Elueq Wasiiduoh, first a
Commissioner and afterwards Warden of iho
prison. Tho number of prisoners now ia con
finement is 1,353, of whom 16 are women. The
Increase lu two years has boon 98. One thousand
and seventy-two of thoso convicts are err ployed
under contract at making cigars, harness, shoos,
cooperage, and in the stone shops. The others
are variously employed about the prison. Six
are in ooiitary confinement. Large pcr.uanriit
improvements and additions have been made to
the workshops the last two years.
Forty-eight prisoners are under llfo sentences.
Tho crimes for which they are convict ?d, ami
other circumstances attending their condition,
are stated as follows :
One hundred and forty.flve for murder, 34 for mnn
slanuhler, C 8 for burglary and larceny, 634 for larceny,
67 for assault to kill and murder, I'J for rape, kS for as
eault to commit rape, and 373 for other crimoa; of
which, by occupation, 239 nro farmers, 3C9 lab irers, SO
dorks, 37 carpenters. 40 shoemakers, 28 wtouc-cuttcrs,
23 teamsters; < f which 1,013 aro native end 340 for
eign born ; and of the foreign born 101 are Irish, 00
Germans, 60 English, 61 Canadians : tad of colored,
166 ; that Cook County sends upwards of 25 per cent
of all; that tho average length of sentences, cxcluslvo
of life, is about 4 years and It months; the xggregato
years of sentences, 0,362 ; aud that of religious there
are 23J professed lloman Catholics, 81 Methodists, 23
Presbyterians, 6'.' Lutherans, 43 Baptists, aud 80S make
no profession j 40 per cent profess denomlnall jual re
ligious belief ; 1,090 can read aud write, 127 rend only,
aud 200 have no education: 70 per cent read sud write,
14 per cent have no education, and about 8 per cent
only read ; 680 are of touipcrato habits, 704 of intem
perate habits ; and that in 1873 there were 43 recom
mit mi'Utu for tho second term and 0 for tho third term 2
in 1874, 83 recommitments for the second term, 16 for
the third, 11 fur the fourth, 1 for the fifth, ai d 1 fot
tho sixth term lu, this prison, lu how many other
prisons they may havo been wo have no record or
moans of knowing to a certainty. That, from an Im
perfect record, wo know of those now confined hero,
upwards of 10 per cent hare been hero before, and
many of them several times.
Tbe Beard hear commendatory testimony as to
the skill and fidelity of the physician, Dr. A. W.
Helse, and also of the Chaplain.
The Commissioners strongly insist upon the
policy of uniting reform with punishment as the
end sought by penitentiary imprisonment:
The Inclination Is to regard a person sent to tbe Ton
llcutlury as so out of tbo reach of, below, and buyoud
the effect of any attempts at reformation, that tbs
principles bore enunciated ore entirely too bod Uneut.l
and utopian to be of utility, but we lr. ro tala
tboliberty and responsibility of saying, that lu our
opinion we are awlfdy approaching a day wbe.i It will
bo practically demonstrated to tbe world (with all duo
respect to tbo opinions of tbo past) that convict i are to
bo more economically, efficiently, and In all reaped*
better governed and controlled by appeals tot l cir In
telligence and Individual manhood than by tb - appli
cation of former physical end cruel methods of
ment. , . , When It Is considered that our prijoit
it on the congregate plan, and that, by rule, strict ri
loncomustbu observed by tbe convict, hundreds of
them working side by side, for days and years , with
out being allowed to speak or bold commuufcatl u by
word or slnu, and that with upwards of 1,300 men of
ell conceivable natures, dispositions, ItnMih'*,
and grades of intellect, and many of them' re. tr
ies* mid desperate characters, better order and
discipline must be maintained in all parts and d-iur 1 -
nienta of the prison than ia any school in the 1 u I, II
will not be surprising to learn that willing ebedmirs
Is not always given or to bo expected by all.
enforce such discipline in a manner consistent with,
tbe feelings of an enlightened humanity in the ate in
which we live, Is a question agitating the minds of lb*
thinking prison-men of the world to-diy. It is u a-lc>s
to say wQat kind of punishments have been in vogue,
or bavo been abolished in prisons throughout the
world. Buffico it to say that tbo only severe pu ilsb
meat now mulcted in (bis prison is solitary coii'ii--
ment in a Urge, light, and woll-vcntllatcd cell, with
pine door, on a scanty diet of bread and water until
submission and obedience Is promised and Inu red.
Tbo prisoner Is simply left alone, no torture la applied,
no anger m aroused ; but with the passing away of
bis exuberance of animal life, his turbulent and is*
bolllous fecllnga disappear; reflection comes, «ffl
pleto submission soon follows, and be toga to bo pul
to work with bis fellows. Tbe moral effect of sucl. s
mode when contrasted with corporal puulshme.it,
which degrades both tbe convict and the person w-s
iutlicts it, must be apparent. One arouses tbs bs» f
passions—the other acta upon tbe reflective and rea
soning faculties; one Is brutal, tbo other Itbumini
ono accomplishes tbe desired end, tbo other only over*
comes tbs powers uf a convict fur physical euduritKl
and buffering, sad debase* oud excites him to frtfk
insubordination when opportunity shall occur.
This theory of punishing convicts os men mated ef
simply aultnri* is scenting great consideration by tk*
best sud must experienced prison men of our country,
and while the experience and observation of lb*
officers of this prison in this regard are of ncombf
Uml'cd, we feel assured that the record of the kind an*
quantity of punishment, as well as tbe pmeri
state of disclclple tu the Illinois Htate JvrJ*
teullary, proves beyond question that a niucit
more humane system of prisou discipline is to M
usliored upon us, and that the legitimate results of W
adoption hero are everything that could be espied--
nut fictitious sud unreal, but eminently practical aus
satisfactory.
This mode of punishment, taken In connection wltk
tbe flood Time law, under which,if no Infraction of th<
rules Is committed, sentences are diminished cu ib*
average of five and two-flftbs mouths per year, or, A
be disobeys and is punished, tbe convict ruseutemd
himself to so much lunger term—shows to him tbv
solely upon his behavior depends (he amount of bi
punishment. In our opinion, no one thing steris S
strong an influence over tboconductof these men 4
the “ Qood Time '• Uv, showing that, no nutter
a man's nature may be, Um dsprlvatioa of uwny, **