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\ igs-lg?*-. 2to!3Wtlfffl'fi flaiittoto- .<•- J. Ykltf&Tfo, Ptr»«*ra. McHENBT, ILLINOIS. -TJIE NEWS CONDENSED. " fie BAST. '•(><> ]|imtxi< •'MhrtPHT, of New York, who had kwn itawtr *wk» (sentenced to b» .hanged for ID* maider «<M Bojuaup, in th« summer at 1874, w» the sUlwrday •««&» sentaaced to dfc April £ ^THMK men were killed the other morning • (t: fYitoinghsm, Ma«^by the explosion of the Idffer of ft portable «Mr mill.... Mies Charlotte ; Cftfehman, the eelebf*t«i actress, died at Bos- tea. l&at wA aged 60 jrears. Her disease VH cancer.. AN exciting scene took |daoe In the Plymouth Church Advisory Conndi'the other day. Mil Befecher, toward the end of the morning see- •ta, arcwe to answer a question propounded fey Rev. Dr. Feseenden respecting the interview Vhich he held with Dr. Btorre. After detailing the interview and making some wtpla- nation*, Mr. Beecher eaid: *A If there is a Sinan on earth that has anything to say to my detriment. I am here, and now challenge bim to Bay it. [Ones of 'Good,' 4Good,' and load appianse,] I go fwtl'ex thah that. If 4herfc be an angel of God more prescient and moataeiexit, I challenge Mm to sa? anght I go beyond that, and in the nam® of our com­ mon Redeemer, and before Him who shall judge Vtni and me, I challenge the truth from Oflia himself, and what is all this going to do?" ®bcse remarks were received with tremendous ajjpitmsfi. Nothing like the excitement and joshing was ever witneaeed in the ohoroh be­ fore. Is the Congregational Advisory Council, at Brooklyn, the other day, one of the delegates referred to the statement that Henry C. Bowen had in hi« possession documents affecting the gollt or innocence of Henry Ward Beecher, and aaid he wished to ask Mr. Beecher if he knew of' the existence of snch documents. This Brought the Plymouth pastor to his feet, who electrified his audience by the following bold (fefi to the world to produce the proofs of his "I will answer as regards any paper that is in possession of any man, woman, or child on this „ ooniiaeat, or it. (me sea, or rm tbe land and beyond (he sea. Anybody in Heaven, and anybody in heil, flat h»a sny document that I have ever written, or ? „ v 9py information that touches me in any manner, I litre give my permission to them to produce it, and . , challenge them to produce it; and if it is anything that wiu throw light on me, and inculpate me, I de- tS- ' mahd, by every eomMderation of honor, truth, and Jaa|ice, that it be delivered now and here, and if not, thereafter everybody shall hold their peace." MICHAEL FDOSKJX. the man that killed O'Baldwin. the Irish Giant and prize-fighter, .* ha* been acquitted by a New York jury The ' fMBotw oM elm in Boston Common has been blown down New Jersey has declared against railroad subsidies. -*• A TINWARE factory at Woodhaven, L. I., was J; i *ebreyed by Are a few days ago. Loss, $500,000. < I* Abont 450 employee ore thrown oat of employ- JECftiby the fire. . N , THE Phoenix Mills, of Pateraon, N. J., have suspended, throwing 800 people out of employ- , meat The 200th anniversary of the burning h. of Ifedford,, Mass., by the Indians, under King Philip, -war ecletwated in that town on tlio 21st ;-,v. ofFebroar Cannon were fired, bells were . •/.. xnng, and historical addresses were made, the Whole ooneluding with a public dinner. In the 'it Monm%'afoor horse wagon, filled vith par- tl," soupon their way to the celebration was over- turned, and the lies. Mr. Alger, of South Xa» ' tick, and 8abin Smith, Of East Somerville. were i., feMlk injured, and others were seriously ~CmV * ̂ - THE WEST. • H'. *"«Bsp'wdi!» Mil times, and an unplnawsnt 1gi*»alk» of the tramp nuinsee, is the iv> .I';"' pO^front all parts ©f the Northwest,.. .Several IDOC«'indr-tiB<Hite against the whisky conspira­ tors have,been returned by the United States Grand Jury at Chicago, including one against Michael Eeeley, a prominent local politician, <pd candidate for County Treasurer at the late election Hie machinery for* three nnmplete saw-mills has been shipped from Erie, Pa., to thf Black Hills.... In a fight between an En­ glishman and an Irishman, in Colorado, a few iys ago, for £50 a side, the Iriah- tftm had one eye gouged out, lost one ear, and had his nose bitten off. The Sngttihnran loBt three fingers... .Advices from the West report that the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe Indians are making the most exten­ sive preparations possible for an outbreak.... TO* Onto Legislature has created a new and ,*M r ' i <»* devolved upon Commerwell to enact the role of daal murderer. SHOKIX after midnight of Feb. 23 fire was discovered issuing from the Olympic Ifaaic Ball, in Davenport, Iowa. With the high wind prevailing it soon spread into one of the most extensive conflagrations that oity has ever known. In the speoe of two hours fourteen buildings and their contents were burned. The estimated loss is §100,000, not more than half covered by insurance... .The renowned Col. Mulberry Sellers, as represented by JobnT. ftajmrmnd hii iwivm! in flhiawa nn<! ftpnoftra nightly on the stage of MoVicker'a Theater. The combined efforts of Raymond and Mark Twain have made Sellers and his millions in it" famous. People who have witnessed this admirable piece of soling pronounce it the finest representation of American humor ever attempted. People visiting Chicago should not ntglect seeing it The great #80,- 000 four-mile raoe, which has been repeatedly postponed, oame on at Ban Francisco on the 22d of February, and was won by Foster, an Oregon bum, iu iwu ntiaight heats. The race was witnessed by an immense conoouxse of people. SOUTH. THE Mississippi LegialatuE% BY an almost unanimous vote, has adopted a resolution im­ peaching Superintendent of Education Cordoza. R. D. RUFFIN, colored member of the House of Delegates from Dinwiddie County, Virginia, has been expelled for abstracting money from the pay-book of the Sergeant-at-Ansas. The missing money was traced to him, and he gave an order against his per diem for the amount. THJ Democrats in the Louisiana Legislature have abandoned their intention of impeaching Gov. Kellogg. AxmcES from New Orleans represent that indictments will soon be found there which will make as much sensation in the country as those at St. Louis. The names of very promi­ nent persona are used, but it wonld not be prooer to give them in advanoe of. the iinal action of the Grand Jury. WAiHnroToxr. GEN.'SCHENCK is reported to HARD tendered his resignation as Minister to Kngland.... It is asserted from Washington that Bluford Wilson, Solicitor of the Treasury, will shortly be Caked to resign. THE Senate Committee on Elections have de­ cided to hear arguments in the case of the State of Alabama against Senator Spencer, under the charge of the specifications below mentioned. The charge that he holds his seat unlawfully will not be considered, as it is re­ garded as settled hi the Sykes case. The fol lowing is the charge: That there was used, or caused to be used, corrupt means and cor­ rupt practices to secure the election of the Hon. George E. Spencer po the seat he now holds in the Senate of the United States as a Senator from Alabama. IK addition to the contemplated reductions in the General Appropiiation bills the House Committee propose the following cutting down in some of the prominent items of expense in­ cident to the public service, but not absolutely essential to Its efficient administration: Amount Estimate. Pnblie bulletin g»to complete, repair and furnish $5,368,446 lighthouses, beacons and fog signals 789,400 Arms and arsenals 917,218 Fortifications 3,044,060 Rivers and harbors... 14,801,100 Building new State, War, and 'Navy .uepartment..... 1,378,482 600,000 Washington aqaedact and groan(1P about Washing* toni^i.. Permanent IraiMlngs st' seacoast fortifications .. Navy yards and station*.... Capital grounds, InsaneAey-. Itim, Deaf and Dumb Aayr luni, Lying-in HoapitM, Smithsonian Institute,... Payment judgments Co'Utt of {Claims Bureau of Engraving and Printing United States se­ curities. 1,944,876 Light-House establishment. 2,189,600 Coast survey 961,600 S&isoeUaneows, heating and furnishing public build­ ings, national currency paper.... 1,508,160 1,100,000 Miscellaneous, War Depart­ ment...... 1,634,421 1,000,000 Survey at the public lands.. 1,166,900 600,000 Totatl estimates 194,631,414 $33,160,000 Proposed reduction 33,100,000 668,493 600,000 1,736,000 809,600 9,000,000 "V proposed. $3,700,000 600,000 200,000 100,000 12,000,000 800,000 900,000 360,000 900,000 1,600,000 1,600,000 700,000 Balance $11,481,414 Sshman ana an irishman, in Colorado, a few ̂ bU1 "^oduced the &«nate ̂ Mr. Sar- yg ago, for $50 a side, the Irish- gent, and in the House by Mr. Piper, amenda­ tory of the Silver Coinage laws, provides for the coinage of a new silver dollar equal in weight and value to two of the present silver half-dollars, and proposes to make it a legal- tender for amounts not exceeding $20. The bill abolishes the existing legal-tender provision . c. , „ regarding trade dollars. It also provides that e0vfer half-dollars shall be a legal-tender for aflsridhtt of Badroads. By the adoption of a mmnta not exceedimr S10. and that the Gov- rawintiMt to tk«* offect "h® is instructed to j» •, : i use his whole, authority to prevent three-card ' mfinte men and pickpockets from "working |»:s trains" on the Ohio railroads.... flenensentative Morory, the school bond been e^ew»l from the TCn-- BoHisido DAJTINA, 'Antonio Gatalano, and '• *.*'AM&iano Ik®abardo, three Italians, convicted ; i • tot October of waylaying and murdering Fran- .. i -'^coPatBimo ia ths sbreate of St Louis, were the 18th of February.:.. ' .. Tpe Kern Valley National Bank, at Bakersfield, I- • CiL, *•* entered by burglars, a few nights ago, j i jjbil© the Cashier waa worMng at the aceouuts. ( They knocked down and chloroformed th« ' duhter, and robbed the bank of f177,000, of It ; Which C22,0$Q belonged 4© the County Treas- . my. The Cashier was found insensible on a • table the next morning... .Ores have been found at Colorado Bpiings, Colorado, assaying of gold and silver to the ton. Is the Babcock trial at St. Louis, CoL Broad- '" Wad, the successor of Henderson, in his ad- - ^bess to the jury for the prosecution, de­ nounced President Grant quite as strongly as : ,ttie displaced prosecutor. Beferring to the fhnous order reversing the transfer of the 'fcpeEwutB, Broadhead said that th% reasons • i i (iveu by President Grant and Supervisor Tut- tyn for reversing the order were not at all euf- 5®*^ « they amoua,ted to really no reasons ' '• > There were other and more powerful -1 • • • ̂ "ynences brought to bear, and the exigencies 1 T0A o«,nl, 41,^.4. i-t. - Tk- • i?.» flcaxtatepped ̂ down from his high position to Interfere with the duties of one of the depart- - - .c6ra.'. - e or(̂ er wa» revoked, too, by ^el^raph, wbich of itself was a strange pro- -< i • questionable in law. This aus- vi • i d»y aft«r Jojce tele- /:'* ^ thin8" the L^iriabprehas appropriated *20,- i' i vif®® awnure * proper representation of the ̂fitate&t the Centennial Exhibition... .The Ohio Senate has passed a bUl forbidding the adminis- * lratidh of anesthetics by surgeons. . A TKBBTBLE affray, growing out of aa 0ld " Wdetta, occurred in "Warren County, Iowa, one laet week. Two brothers, named George :l"iad Joiiiw Homerv, were instant!v killed and ,, ,fPavid lIflmery and James Groom"dangerously •tabbed. The assailants were the two uillar i« * t&e two Westphalls, and Frank Bottler. The 1 < f an their way home from church. , ftie Wisconsin Legislature has materially ~"h aiodified the Potter Railway law. The hr'iaaew act xeptftSs the more objectionable fea- , , .tores of the Potter law, and l-endera the ' '" Statute few the regulation of railroads lees * ' -twrdensoiue to the railway interest •.,..!"JA tringniftr and mysterious tragedy was enacted t"1 Chicago a few days ago. Two Doon compan- 5jkos, T. A. Commerwell and Fritz Schneider, f?;-i; were drinkuig together in a saloon when one ' «f them, Commerwell, without uttering a word, <"'-*4teew a revolver and shot Schneider dead, after - frhioh he placed the weapon to hia head and |; • tJew his own brains out. Both died almost in- f >' «tantaneou8ly. It is believed that the men had • ymilmlhp (Q amounto not exceeding $10, and that the Gov eminent shall r@pl&o@ without lose to the holder all abraded silver coins. IF the Treasury officials are to be believed, there is to be a currency famine in the Depart­ ment unless Congress takes early action and passes the Deficiency bill for the Printing Ba~ reara, amounting to over 8300,000,, The print- ; ing of currency, including greenbacks snd Na­ tional Biuuk notes, lias been stopped, and the sum named to needed to continue work until the end of the fiaeal year..... It is intubated that W. IL Paddls, Cashier of the Pennsylva­ nia Bank of Pittsburgh, will succeed Mr. New as Treasurer of the United States The accu­ mulation of silver and current production has reached such a point that resumption of silver payments in the immediate future is now a subject of earnest consideration at the Treas­ ury Department. It is intimated that this de­ sirable step ?s not at all improbable within thirty days. The silver now on hand is $12,- 000,000, which, with the monthly coinage, is considered ample to inaugurate the work.... The President has given orders to Gen. Sher­ idan tnat the Black Hills miners must not be disturbed. FOU¥X€Al» On. EtmnicK is of the opinion that Gov. Hayes' chanoes as a comproiaise candidate be­ fore the ltepubliean National Convention are excellent The President has appointed Seth J. Cornly Collector of Cteatoow for Fuila- delphia. CONGKXSSMAK Hnrlbut, of Illinois, thinks Mr. Blaine she best nutu for Pxeoidant... .The Illinois Republican State Committee, at its meeting in Chicago, a few days ago, called a State Convention of the party, to be held at' Springfield, May 24 The Republicans of Wisconsin, through their State Convention, have declared themselves in favor of Blaine and hard money.... Tii© Indiana Republican State Convention, in session at Indianapolis last week, declared for Morton for President.. The New York Republican State Convention has been called to meet at Syracuse, March 22. The Democratic National Committee met at District, A. C. Voorhces, of inherence; Third District, H. C. Newoomb, of irarion; Fourth District, John F. Kibbtn, of Wayne.... Hie Connecticut Democratic State Conven­ tion was held at New HftVMBLrFab. 23, every town in the biate having a ftalTasfegatJon. The old State ticket was renominated, "It is as fol­ lows : Governor, ( "barlas B. Ingersoll; Lieu­ tenant-Governor, George G, Hlu; Secretary of State, Marvin H. Sanger; TrsMarer. William E. Raymond; Comptroller, Attwrt R. Good­ rich.... April 19 is Iht day iaripiated for the meeting of tlie Democratic mate Convention of Indiana The Maiytend Bflpmldioans will nokt tneu: sttte uonvantion on the 4th or May, QENKRAL, THX owners of the American Alp Harvest Queen, recently sunk in English waters by the Adriatic, have filed a Ml] against the latter ves­ sel for #225,000 damages. ELEVEN car loads of article* -from Sweden and Norway for the Centennial Exhibition have arrived at Philadelphia. A REMARKABLE meeting waft TELA at Hamil­ ton, Canada, a few dayBago, oomfofied of peo­ ple from New York, New Orleans, 8an Francis­ co, Owen Sound, Chicago, St. CMherinos. etc. These people claim to be hdn of Lord Mar, whose son died m Montreal or Chicago in 1840 while on the way to Sootland to elaim property, since which time the will oaiffiot be found. The case was placed in the hands of Hon. Ed­ ward Blake, Minister of Justice for the Domin­ ion. The property is sc-versd by ihs jaaaufac- turing town of Paisley, Scotland, and is sup­ posed to be worth S100,000,000. WASHINGTON'S birthday was very generally observed throughout the country. At Wash­ ington the Government offices were (dosed, and the Fire Department paraded and passed in review before the President at the White Hou&e. The Fifth Maryland Regiment also honored the President with a marching salute on their way to Alexandria. In Philadelphia, the Centennial grounds were crowded with people, flags were displayed to an extent never known before, salutes fired, bells rung, whistles blown; bands of music paraded the streets, and a general jubilee took (dace, winding up with a magnificent illumination of the city in the evening --The great $80,000 race in San Francisco finally came off on Washington's birthday. The race was four-mile and repeat, and was won by Foster ; time, 7:38 and 7.53. ....Irwin, the Pacific Mail man, has been ar­ rested for embezzling #750,000--and released on $50,000 bail. FOREIGN. THREE of the murderers of Mr. Birch, the English Resident at Perak, India, have been arrested... .Another fearful steamship disaster has occurred on the English ooast. Two steam­ ers came in collision near the pert of Dover, the shock resulting ia the explosion of the boilers of one of the vessels, causing her to sink within a few minutes. Fifty-two persons went down with the ill-fated vessel. The other steamer was badly crippled, but managed to keep above Water until sne could be towed to her dock. A DISPATCH from Tucson. Mexico, via San Francisco, reports a severe battle between Mexi can troops and revolutionists near Alamos, in which the latter were victorious... .Fifteen per­ sons have been convicted of treason on account of the recent conspiracy at Rangoon, India. The head conspirator was sentenced to twenty- one years and the others to ten years transpor­ tation .... The Pope has written a letter to the Czar of Russia, reproaching him for the perse­ cution of the Catholics in his dominions, and threatening the whole Imperial family with the chastisement of the Lord. He summons the Czar to the judgment of God The Correc­ tional Tribunal of Paris has sentenced the edi­ tor of La Itepublique Francaise to ouw month's imprisonment with a fine, for attacking Minis­ ter Buffet. THE woman movement has received a set­ back in Russia. The Czar has promulgated an official ukase forbidding the gentler sex to ex­ ercise the functions of barristers... .Cable dis­ patches confirmtthe reports of a reeent impor­ tant victory by the Alfonso forces, and denote an early close of field operations. The routed Carlists have fled in large numbers across the French border, and have been intMMd by the authorities Winslow, the BeSMn forger, captured recently in London, says hd wants to return immediately to Boston and help things along. THE French Republicans, in-ilie elections for Deputies to the Assembly under the new Con­ stitution, have succeeded far beyond their ex­ pectations. Not only have they car ried iu the large cities, but in several of the remote prov­ inces, where heretofore the Bonapartists and Legitimists have divided the honors, Radioal candidates have been returned. Buffet, present Minister of the Interior, who tried his fortunes in four arrondissements, was defeated in every instance. Paul Cassagnac, the editor-duelist, is returned from the Department of Gers. THE submarine cable between Sydney and New Zealand has been successfully lud and opened for traffic. ...Egypt and Aby&tuuaare arranging a treaty of peace. FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. Washington on the 22d day of February, and, after five ballots,, decided to hold the National Convention, for the nomination of candidates for President and Vice-President, at St. Louis, the 27th day of June being named as the time. THE Indiana Republican State Convention was held at Indianapolis on Wednesday of last week, the attendance being larger than at any convention held since 1862. Hon. Godlove H. Qrtli was Dominated for Governor. The reso­ lutions declare for a specie basis, but demand a repeal of so much ®f the Resumption act as fixes a day for resumption, and ask Congress to let the currency alone, neither expanding or contracting it; favor reconciliation between the North and the South, indorse President Grant and his administration, particularly in the punishment of diuhonest officials; demand absolute divorce of Church and State, and favor the present public school system. The following ia the balance of the ticket: Lieutenant-Governor, Robert 8. Roberts, of Ailea; Secretary of State, I. P. Watts, of Randolph; State Auditor, W. M. Hess, of rtiiu i. 1th6 Supreme Court-- Mum iwict, Win. P. Edaon, of Posey v Htwirf TmmsDAY, Feb. 17.--(Senate.--Morrill, from the Committee on Education and Labor, reported, with two amendments, the Senate bill to apply a portion of the pr^"Teede of the public lanag to public uuUc«u»u, 1'Kma.isiog that the committee was unani­ mous In its favof. Placed on the calendar Howe presented an extraordinary petition, from citizens of Wisconsin, asking for the passage of a law re­ quiring tha United States Treasurer to pay to ©very man, Tom-m fand child in the country, the sum of $10 a week, the payments to be made every Saturday night, by the Postmasters throughout the country. It wa» referred to the Finance Committee.... Wright introduced a bill to reduce the interest on the public debt; to provide for a safe and elastic currency ; for the speedy appreciation of the value of Treasury notea and National Bank notes to that of coin, and to guard against panic and inflation of bant credits. House.--In the absenoe of Speaker Kerr, Cox (N. Y.) was elected 8peaker pro tem. An exhaus­ tive debate followed over the question whether the Speaker pro tem. shall be required to take the oath of office. It was flually decided in the negative. FRIDAY, Feb. 18.--tenale. --The Senate was not in session. House.--The proceedings in lbs House were flat, stale and unprofitable, nearly the whole day being devoted to the consideration of McCrary's hill to reorganize the judiciary. SATUBOAY, Feb. 19.--Senate.--*The Senate held no session. Bouse.--The House met for general debate, as in Committee of tha 'Whole, vriili Eden (ill.) ia the chair. Speeches were delivered by Chittenden and Townsend in favor of specie resumption, Kelly (Pa) in advocacy of a greenback currency, and Pierce (Mass.) on the Presidential term of office, in favor of six years. MONDAY, Beb. 21.--Senate.-- A resolution was passed directing the Attorney-General to take steps to prevent the Bale of the Wabash and Erie Canal by the Receiver... .Sherman presented a petition for the repeal of the Bankrupt law.... Allison, from the Committee on Appropriations, reported, with amendment*, the West Point Appropriation bill. The increase recommended over the amount fixed by the House is about $40,000... .The bill for the sale of timber lands in California, Oregon and the Territories was pushed.... A bill was passed making an Appropriation to pay fourteen crippled and dis­ abled Union soldiers employed in the House of Rep­ resentatives from the 6th dav of Decembeu, 1875, to the 30th of June, 1876 "Adjourned to Wednes­ day, 23d, House.--A resolution was adopted calling upon Attorney General Plerrepont for the reasons which caused him to write a letter to District Attorney Dyer regarding the punishment of those in the whisky ring who turned State's evidence -- MeCrary'e bill reorganizing the Judiciary of the United Statee wan passed.... Bills were introduced: By Cooke, limiting the power of Congress in making appropriations; by Whttthorne, to authorize a mixed commission to inquire and report as to the future policy of the United States; by Burchard (111.), relating to distilled spirits; by McOrary. chartering the Atlantic, Chicago, Black Hills ana Pacific Railroad Company; by Jenks, for the trans­ fer of the Pension Bureau from the Interior De­ partment to the War Department A resolution was adopted for the appointment of a »ub-commit- tee to visit and inspect the levees of the MlMiasippi Biver.... Adjourned till Wednesday. WEDKEHDAY, Feb. 23.--Senate.--Logan pre­ sented s petition of disabled soUUsti, asking that the provisions of the act of June 18, 1874, be extended «o a« to Include all who lost an arm below the elbow, or a leg below the knee,; and that they be allowed a pension of $24 per month Morton presented a petition signed by over 10,000 women in Indiana, and nearly 14,000 voters of that State, on the subject of temper­ ance, asking Oengresa to appoint a oouunission to investigate and report as to the effect of the alco­ holic liquor traffic....Shefman, from the Commit­ tee on Finance, reported a bill amendatory of the acta of July 14,1870, and Jan. 30,1871, authorising the refunding of the national debt... .Ohriatiaacgr introduced a bill to regulate the elections and elect­ ive franchise in Utah. Wmu*.--Fort's bill for the preservation of haffuln from wanton destruction, was passed....The House indulged in a long and spirited dafcate on the bill to grant pensions to the veterans of the war of 1812 Banning Introduced his Army Reform bill, by which he hopes to effect an annual staving of $2.500,000 A large number of resolutions of minor Importance sere introduced. , •" 1 ' 1 • <WJR WASHINGTON LETTEI& f '* * The Centennial Bill--Fortlficatlons--Ill­ ness of Speaker Kerr--Mr. Cox In %he Chair--Miscellaneous. [Fran Our Own Correspondent.] • WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 18IB*, The Senate passed the Centennial bill by a large majority, just as it came from the House. The President signed it with a pen made from the feather of an American eagle which now spreads its wings in the Centennial aviary, but which formerly soared aloft irom the heights of Mount Hood in Oregon. The bird itself and that identical pen, which: of oonrse is mightier than the sword for ah appropriation of a million and a half, will be on exhibition at Philadelphia. Now that the exposition is certain to go on with this express indorsement of the nation, I beg leave to remark it is the duty of us all to do everything in our power by word and deed to help- make it worthy of our great Republic. FORTIFICATIONS. The Hon. William A, Wheeler,- of New York, from the House Committee on Appropriations oa Tuesday of this week reported the bill making appropriations for fortifications and other works of de­ fense. The bill' appropriates for these purposes $315,000 instead of more than three and a half millions, the amount of estimates. Large estimates were made foy new projectiles and ordnance. Mr. Wheeler showed that large sums had been annually appropriated and expended for these purposes, and that the changes constantly being made in warlike implements had crowded the arsenals and even the cemeteries with useless guns, and would continue to do so if these experiments were to go on. He thought they,might well surcease in this our year^ of peace and jubilee. " We want mo shotted guns pointed seaward," said he. The House agreed with him, and the bill was passed unani­ mously, If it shall go pass the Senate, as I trust it may, divers and sundry con­ tractors in men-killing inventions will be sad, but the people will rejoice over iliis saving ox more thau three millions. This bill received the unanimous r commendation of the Appropriation Committee, and after Mr. Wheeler's statement of the facts in the case, there was no one to dispute the justice and wisdom of the measure. But I suppose there will be a lobby of contractors and inventors to worry and harass the Senate for money to experiment- on projectiles which they will claim would blow whole cities' sky Mghs or sweep an .ordinary army into kingdom come at a single discharge. " I hope the Senate will leave these fellows severely alone, and save the money ac­ cording to Mr. Wheeler's bilL When the people of Christendom come to fully understand the terrible expensiveness of war they will abolish it, . and join the Peace Society. Let us have peace. The success of the Wheeler bill would be not only a fine triumph of economy, but might well be regarded alone as one among the many encouraging signs of the times showing that the world is steadily moving on toward that glorious era when all men shall beat their swords into plowshares End their spears into pruuing liooks; when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; when, in fine, the wilder­ ness and the solitary place shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. For all of which see the Holy Scriptures pmaim. OF MS. KEBB. It is well known that the health of the Speaker of the House hag pot* been good for some time. He has suffered less or more for two or three years, and it was freely stated during Hie exciting canvass for the Speakership that he would hardly be able to eadfire the labors and difficulties of presiding officer of the House. The fears then expressed have become for the time being realized, and the Speaker is now absent in New York in the hope that physicians there and a short recess may restore him to vigor. I trust that it may be so. Whatever men may think of his politics,, all who know him cordially agree that the Speaker is a man of great abilities and of the purest character. Like Mr. Wheeler, he is cordially re­ spected by men of all parties. I observe that the morning papers state that this is the first instsQCQ in which the absence of a Speaker has made the election of a Speaker pro tempore necessary. This is a mistake. The same thing occurred early in our history, when the distinguished Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, was Speaker. It occurred also about forty years ago when John Bell was Speaker, and has occurred three or four times since then. Henry Clay twice resigned the Speakership after serving one session, so that there have been at least seven occasions up to this time when a new Speaker or one pro tempore has been elected by the House. Mr. Cox has been selected to take the place of Mr. Kerr. He is a very good presiding officer. He appears much bet­ ter in the chair than on the floor, where he is nervous and fldgetty, whereas in the chair he becomes at once sedate and dignified, and commands the respect of the House. His knowledge of parlia­ mentary law is thorough; he is quick and firm in his decisions, and as a Speak­ er may be voted a success. MXSCKLIiANXOUS. i Theo. N, Vale, Esq., who recently took charge of the superintendent of th* Railway Mail Service, in place of Col. George S. Bangs, resigned, has initiated himself into his new office, so to speak, by a long and very able letter to the Senate Pvstoffioe Committee on the subject of postage rates. Mr. Vale takes the position that .the present rates ought to be retained except that tran­ sient papem and periodicals aught to be carried at the low rates vMdh formerly prevailed. He fortiflss hit argument with an array of facte and figures bearing upon the question which make his posi­ tion impMgnable. The paper makes a fine send-off for him in his new office, Among the numerous bills on the cur- tenov nnesfciotj infrmlilAiid tho Hnniw was one brought in the other day by Mr. Harrison, of one of the Chicago dis­ tricts. It provides for inflation and re­ sumption. It requires the Government and the national banks to reserve specie payment until they have an amount equal to one-third of the notes in circu­ lation. At that time there oould be resumption. It also provides that the Government shall issue greenbacks until the amount shall be equal to the amouat outstanding at the date of the 44 [Resumption act" of January, 1875. The bill is said to be very favorably received by a large num­ ber of members of the House, where Mr. Harrison stands deservedly high as a man of ability and character. In the great variety of financial projects tinw pending in Congress it seems likely the upshot will be--nothing at all. - L : iPAssiss events. , S&NATOB OHKISTIANCY'S courtship be­ gan, culminated and ended in three weeks. Beware ef widowers! A ROUTE through Pennsylvania has been discovered by which a grand double track freight railroad can be constructed that will have a grade not exceeding fifty feet to .the mile coming west, or over forty feet going east. It is designed mainly to afford cheap transportation for Western produce, and is awakening a good deal of interest both in New York and along the line. THE following statement of the expor­ tation of tobacco and snuff duruig the six months ending Dec. 31, 1875, has been issued by the Internal Revenue Office. The quantity removed from manufactories for exportation was : To­ bacco, 4,362,953^ pounds ; snuff, 12,- 899£ pounds. The quantity accountable for, landed abroad, is : Tobacco, 3,705,- 019J pounds ; snuff, 155,81l£ pounds. PROP. SBBLYB has been studying the Indian problem, and finds that each In­ dian costs the Government about $2,000 a year to keep him alive, but it would bankrupt the country to attempt to kill them off, for that seems to cost about $1,000,000 for every Tn^ian, It only costs them $2.50 a day to board them at Washington so that it looks almost as if it would be economical to bring them all there. Airrjut the panic at Robinson's Opera House, Cincinnati, the following articles were picked up on the floor; Forty la­ dies' hats, 36 other hats, 15 muffs, 4 boas and 4 fur capes, 28 India-rubbers, 2 boots and i boy's shoe, 6 shawls, 12 boys' overcoats and capes, 2 ladies capes and scarfs; switches, gloves, veils and handkerchiefs without number. The heroine of the occasion was a young girl who, after fighting her way out of the fatal press, discovered that she had lost her mink cape, and thereupon fought her way back and recovered the article. THB railways will not substantially benefit by the rates adopted at Louis­ ville to the Centennial and return. The discount is not sufficient to induce peo­ ple to go who would not go at full rates. In order to reach the masses and affect their decision to go or not to go, the rates should have been put down one- half on round trip tickets good for thirty days. The railroads can afford to cany on those terms, since the passenger traf­ fic would be more than doubled. Twen­ ty-five per cent, off is either too much or not enough. • THE late Reverdy Johnson was very anxious, the Baltimore American says, to do something to place the freedom of the press upon a firmer basis before he closed his long and brilliant career. The American refers to the offer of his ser­ vices in the case of the libel suits brought by ex-Gov. Shepherd, against the editor of the Tribune, and mentions the fact that when the American was sued by the three highest executive officers of the State, Mr. Joliason also promptly volunteered his services in its behalf on the ground, as stated in his note to the editor, that the liberty and usefulness of the press seemed to be imperiled. GEN. SHERMAN has written a Second letter, explaining the one recently pub­ lished. He says he did not intend the first letter for publication. As to the school question, he does not wish to be drawn into & discussion, but he feels that he had a right to express an opinion in a private letter. The relative cost of maintaining schools in different parte of the country has engaged his attention. In Washington his tax was 1 per ednfc. on valuation of real estate ; in St. Louis it is one-half of 1 per cent. His experi­ ence is that the common schools, instead of trying to teach all children the rudi­ ments, are drifting toward the classics and a university education. IT is stated from Washington that the House Judiciary Sub-Committee, that is considering the question of jurisdiction ofjthe House over the cases of Schumaker and Bill King, is understood to have reached this conclusion as to the right to expel: That the constitutional right of the House to expel members is not based upon the right to punish for crime, but upon other inherent power in the House to protect itself from violent, disorderly or unseemly persons ; that this power is not for the punishment of guilty mem­ bers, but for the protection of the House as a deliberative body. This question is being considered as a collateral one in connection with the general question of jurisdiction over Offenses committed be­ fore this Congress, began* REVENUE COMMISSIONER PRATT has ar­ rived at the conclusion that the ten Su- {>ervisors of Internal Revenue now al-owed by law are more ornamental than useful. A close scrutiny into their ex­ penses shows that last year these ten officers cost the Government over $130,- 000, or $13,000 each. Mr. Pratt does not deiay that they are useful officers. He says they are too expensive. He does not suppose their offices can be abolish­ ed, although he thinks the service would survive their departure. He says he expects to collect $22,000,000 for inter­ nal revenue this year, as against $10,- 000,000 lew last year, and that he intends to do this at a much less per cent, than last year. He estimated the expense of collection this year wot̂ ld be $5,000,000. if*. INGALTLS, of Kansas, has intro­ duced in the United States Senate a bill for the protection of agriculture against injurious insects. It authorizes the Sec­ retary of the Interior to appoint, upon the nomination of the NatiPsafyAcademy of Sciences, a Commisskjto, to consist of tare® enaaisstt entosaologiaten 4* serve- "*•' jrt'Sj-a, at a salary of §5,000 per an­ num eaph, and to be allowed tiavellng- expenMS, etc., and to devote themselves to the investigation of insects most inju­ rious to the great staples, especially the Rocky Mountain locapt, arms-worm. ehinch-bugt Hessian fl^j and "cotton- worm, the results to be reported to Con­ gress at least once a year. Mr. Ingalls remarked, upon offering th« hill Ojat the Senate had already"redeive^ infor­ mation as to the ravages of insects upon vegetation in the West during the past year. The actual loss from the ravages- of the locusts, chinch-bugs, army and cotton-worms and Hessian flies,, ex&eded $200,000,000, and from the locusts Uone the amount exceeded $50,000,000. In seven counties of Minnesota,' nearly 00,000 uUoliulii of loCwufi. at a oost of $80,000. Live Stock l^ansporfalftonj' The bill relating to the transportation of live stock which passed the Sen­ ate of the United States is of vital interest to shippers of butehprs' stock to Eastern markets. It provides that no corporation transporting animals from one State to another shall confine the same in vehicles, railroad cars, boats or vessels of any description for a longer- period than twenty-four consecutive- hours, without unloading the same for rest, water and feeding, for a period of at least seven consecutive hours, unless- prevented from so unloading by storm or other accidental causes; that animate so unloaded shall be properly fed and watered during the rest by the owner or person having the custody thereof, or in case of his default in so doing, then by the company officials, at the expense of the owner or custodian; said officials not being liable and the company having a lien upon the animals for food, care «i»d custody; that the penalty for failing k>' comply with the provisions of this law shall be a fine of not less than $10Q and. not more than $500. or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. But when animals shall be carried in ve­ hicles where they have proper food,, water, space and rest, the provisions iu relation to unloading shall not apply. Reducing the Expenses of the Revenue Departments T The House Committee on Appropria­ tions have completed the items on the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Ap­ propriation bill relating to the Internal Revenue Department of the Treasury. The estimates have been cut down from $5,000,000 to $1,056,000. The number of collection districts has been reduced from 161 to 105, which makes a saying of over $600,000. By the reduction of the force of gangers, inspectors, (Super­ visors and storekeepers a reduction of $136,000 is accomplished, and a sayings of $50,000 is contemplated by reducing the estimate for dies, paper and printing of internal revenue stamps. "" .---- -- ' * •"' - ^ A Strange Wedding. ' The Somerset (Ky.) Reporter says; ••Elder J. M. Bailee, of Casey Contity, recently married a couple, one of whom was 75 years of age and the other was 73. Another strange feature of this wedding is that the same couple were married to each other when quite young, but, after living together a short time, some un­ pleasantness separated them; after this they both married twice, and each los­ ing, respectively, two wives and two hus­ bands, they have come together again at this late day. May they comfort each other until death do them part." CHILIAN women have receivtki I the right to vote, the only qualification be­ ing, they must be of age and able to read and write. THE MARKETS. - --•--- • . NEWYOBK. v 'v 9 6 , 12 Hooa--Drawed S'vA 9 COTTON. ... S E SS) FLODB--Superfine Western......... 6 10 @ 5 40 WHEAT-- NO. 3 O h i c a c a . . . . 1 1 7 @ 1 1 1 CORN 61 •($ - OATB -- @ ; -.81 Bwk M @ *88 POBK--New Wok.. .......23 60 TO Iabd---Ste»m 12&@ 1«X CHICAGO , Bnrxs--Choice Graded Stem..... 5 75 @6 00 Choioe Natives. 4 75 <& 6 50 Cows and Heifes* 2 50 @ 4 00 ..Good Second-class Steers. 4 25 <§ 4 75 Medium to Fair. 3 75 @ 4 15 Inferior to Common. 2 75 ($ 4 25 Boas--Live. 7 75 ® 8 85 FLOUR--Fancy White Winter...... 7 25 & 7 V5 Good to choice spring ex . 5 00 a 5 50 WHEAT--No. 1 Spring 1 09 @ l 10 No. 2 Spring* ....102 @108 No. 3 Spring.... 79 @ 80 CORN--No. 2 42 a, i3 OAM--No. 2 SI <1 TO RYE-NO. 2 67 A 69 BARLEY--No. 2. 58 ® <W BUTTER--Fancy ...... 27 & 88 EGOS--Fresh 14 ® 1* PORK--Mesa ......2125 ($2100 'wvumoXwm, DETROIT. FLOUR--SholceWhite 625- d 6 50 Ambers B 75 0 5 90 WHXAT--Extra 1 40 @ 1 41 No. 1 White 1 29 & 1 80 No. 2 White 1 18 ® 1 19 Amber. 1 28- & 1 29 OoBK .... ./...,.r.; 40 <» 42 OATS 37 # 39 RYE. 70 @ 73 BAULKY--NO. ... .... 110 1 70 Butvsr. ..i. It @ 22 EGOS 14* (i 15 PORK--Mesa 21 50 @22 00 LARD . • 18 @ 13# CATILK 8 75 <«M 75 Hooa -..J........ 7 50 « 8 50 8T. LUOia. '1 WHKAT--No. 2 Red. 1 50 & 1 51 CORN--No. 2. §8 <3 39 OATS--No. 2 W @ 34 RYE--NO. 2 68 @ 69 PORK--Mess M CO «22 25 LARD 12 @ »• Hooa 750 & *25 O ATTLC . . . . . . . . . 8 2 5 @ * W * MILWAUKEE. WHKAT--No. 1 J W ® ! £2 No.2 OOBW--No. 2 v....... •• ® § •* OATS--No. 2 82 ® iS RTE «» <g 70 BARLEY--No. 80 ® M CINCINNATI. WHRAT--New 1 2" <| 1 Cork.. g £ ' g PORK--Mess........ • • • - - » 22 LARD TOLEDO. WHRA*--Extra -- J 88 <| 1 39 Amber 1 25 <§ l 26 CORK OATS. 89 41 EAST LIBERTY, PA. ~ Hooa--Toskers 8 20 §190 phllidelpfalas 9 00 ® 9 30 CATTLE--west 6 06 (4 6 3H? Medium.... 5 00 <<» 5 15 SKZXP--Medium 4 00 @ 6 09 Beat........ 6 25 e«0»