Che <flni:ago
i
Terms of Subscription,
PAYABLE IN ADVANCE:
p«uy Edition, per year, by mail—
Tri-weekly Edition, per year, by mai1—......... 6.00
Btmday EdlUoru'por year, by mail 2.50
Weekly Edition, per year, by mail.--.—2XO
Parts of a year at tho same rate.
To prevent delay and mistakes, be sure and give Post
Office address In full. Including State and county.
Eemittancce may be made either by draft, express,
Post Office order, or In registered letters, at oar risk.
Daily, delivered, Sunday excepted, 25 cents per week.
Dally, delivered, Sunday included, so cents per week.
Aflilrawa THM TRIBUNE COMPANY,
No. 15 Canal-st, Chicago. HL
FRIDAY, DECEMBER S, 187 L
NO BEGGING AT WASHINGTON.
The County Commissioners, at their session
on Tuesday, inadvertently, wo suppose,
passed a series of resolutions asking that
Congress refund to the county the money
expended for bounties and for the support of
families of soldiers during tbo war. This.is
one of those short cuts to get money which
100 often receiA’e more faA'or than they de
serve. To any person who will ponder on
the consequences of such a proposition, its
absurdity will he evident. Cook County is
but one municipality in some ten thousand
which expended money for precisely tho
same purpose. Themoney was not expended
for any public purpose; it was not expended
on account of the war; but substantially to
induce men to enlist as substitutes in place
of those who ought to have gone to the
front. There is not the slightest ground of
claim, in law, justice, or equity, upon the
government, for any portion of tho money so
expended.
But, looked at financially, and as a meas
ure of relief, the proposition is still more
preposterous. Cook County is not a pauper.
It is still a rich community it has sustained
n scA*cre loss, but not by any means a total
one. We are not reduced to beggary there
is no danger of our being unable to pay our
public debt, and the interest on it, at matu
rity. The County Commissioners have it in
their power,hy abolishing useless offices, and
reforming the manner of expenditures, to
accomplish a reduction of useless outlay au
uuallyl equal to the whole interest on the
county debt. We have two hundred millions
of taxable property in tbo county, and we
can pay oar debts and the interest thereon
without any increase of taxation. The
money which the Commissioners can saA*e
us by tbeir reforms exceeds tbe rev
enue which would haA*e been receiv
ed from tho property destroyed. Wo
contracted this debt to avoid personal service
in the army. Instead of enlisting, or going
■when drafted in the third and fourth years
of the war, we hired other men to go in our
places. With the money thus borrowed Ave
purchased exemption from military service.
If Cook County stood alone in this kind of
business, wo would, perhaps, he ashamed
to acknowledge that wo contracted such a
debt; but there are thousands of other com
munities which purchased exemption through
the same means, some of them paying a much
higher rate than we did. Many of these
communities are much poorer than we are;
that is, they have less taxable property and
more debt than avc haA*e in proportion to
population. We cannot ask to be an excep
tion from tho general rule in such
cases. If the government should un
dertake to refund all tho money
thus advanced by* all tho cities, counties,
towns, villages, and wards of the United
States, it would require the creation of an
additional national debt, amounting, proba
bly, to several hundred millions of dollars.
The share of the interest on this debt, to bo
paid annually by the people of Cook County,
would prohabl3* exceed the interest on tho
county’s present war debt. Instead, there
fore, of getting rid of the debt, we should
merely he converting it into another form.
Under these circumstances it AA*ould be the
worst kind of economy for this counts* to ask
Congress to do anything of the kind suggest
ed by the resolution of the Commissioners.
Let ns hope that the hasty action of the res
olution will ho reconsidered, aud that no re
quest of the kind will ever be made by* any
official bods* iu this county.
COUNTY PAUPEBS, OFFICIAL AND OTHER-
WISE.
We learn that the lobbies of the Board of
Cook County Commissioners were infested
with a horde of potty office-seekers,ravening
lifter the spoils of the Poor House, County
Agency, and other public establishments.
Among these, the present incumbents—
roshek, Carroll, and company—are in full
force, and their ranks are swelled by meiu-
Ijers of the defunct Board of Supervisors,
and others too numerous and not sufficiently
respectable to mention.
Wo trust that the hoard trill not yield to
the clamor or the pressure which any of
these fellows may he able to raise in their
own behalf, or elect to oflice any of tho pres
ent incumbents, or any of those who have
abetted them in the old Board of Supervis
ors. They have, as a rule, proved disgrace
fully incompetent, and. in some prominent
cases, criminally corrupt; the principal of
them, one Pushek, tho County Agent, who
lias acquired the sobriquet of Potato
Pushek—not, perhaps, because he
served the couuty any worse
iu his potato contracts than iu others, but
probably because the name has a more music
al and alliterative sound than any other,—aud
Pat Carroll, who comes out very sleek and
fat from his administration as Warden of tho
Poor House and Insane Hospital. Carroll is
a man of no administrative ability or energy,
liis talents lying solely in the direction of
entertaining the Poor Honso Committee with
good dinners as often as they visit his
institution. Por these dinners Car
roll has become famous, insomuch that
be is visited often, not ouly by the actual
Poor House Committee, hut by a score or
two of bummers of low degree, who elect
themselves honorary members of the com
mittee, aud “investigate’' the management
of the Poor House with astonishing frequou
cv and regularity.
"This order of things must he reformed
altogether. Tho newly-installed Commis
sioners enjoy, on taking their seats, tho
beartv good opinion of tho community; aud
they could not do any act which would go
so far to forfeit that good opiuion as tho
re-election of any of these barnacles
would do. Aud tho old hangers
on of the defunct Board of Supervisors are to
be reekoued in the same category. If any of
these shall he reduced, by tho cutting off of
their official perquisites, to a condition of
penury, from which they have not tho ability
to extricate themselves by honest labor, the
doors of the Poor House should never he
closed against them.’'. But on no account
should any of the lot be set to manage tbat
or the county’s other institutions, either in a
principal or subordinate capacity.
Mr. Sumner has introduced a hill in the
Senate for the restoration of specie pay
ments hy the process of substituting com
pound interest notes for the present green
backs, at the rat© of $10,000,000 per month,
commencing on the Ist of July next, the
rale of interest to bo 5 per cent, and the
notes themselves to he convertible, principal
and interest, into 5 per cent bonds at the
expiration of two years. The process of
substituting the new notes for the old ones
would be by paying out the former in place
of the latter for the current expenses of the
government, and thereupon cancelling the
greenbacks to the same amount as the new
notes issued. *Tho compound interest notes
would be legal tender to the amount of thoir
face value.
The principles of this bill have been fre
quently’ explained in these columns. The
plan is the only one now ou the tiles of Con
gress for restoring specie payments hy any
kind of process. It is the only one hav
ing any respectable advocacy which will
certainly accomplish the object sought, and.
as we think, without auy hardship or suffer
ing to the business community. The bug
bear of contraction has nearly ceased to
haunt the imaginations of men, aud the an
ticipated difficulty of settlingcontracts made
a few years ago, with gold at 140, has become
a mere laughing-stock since gold has fallen
to 109, of its own gravity, withoat any in
terference by government.
Mx. Sumner is right in saying that this
measure would bo of itself a complete and
full restoration of the government credit,
and that, with specie payments restored, the
public debt would refund itself at a lower
rate of interest, without the excessive
straining which wo have lately witnessed,
We fear, however, that Mr. .Sumner’s bill will
meet with little favor at the hands of the
Senate Finance Committee, as at present
constituted.
tt tp. FEEE ZONE.
Tho President, in his message, refers to the
ontroversy with Mexico concerning her
tariff laws, and expresses the hope that that
republic will voluntarily repeal tho law
which operates so disastrously to American
commerce on tho Eio Grande. Tho case is
not without its troubles, and tho President
wisely abstains from recommending tho ex
treme measures which have been urged up
on him For many years previous to 1858,
the tariff of tho United States was very
moderate, especially upon those goods
which aro most needed in the
frontier districts. Tho tariff in force
iu Mexico was very high, aud high duties
were imposed upon many articles which
were admitted into tho United States free of
duty. The result was that commerce desert
ed the Mexican side of the river and flour
ished in Brownsville and tho other American
cities. The Mexicans, who obtained their
goods from tho river towns, crossed tho river
and bought all they needed from tho Ameri
can merchants, who, owing to the low* tariff
on their side, could sell from 30 to 50 per cent
lower than tho Mexicans. The Mexicans
ceased to import, getting their stocks
on the American side, aud smuggling
them into Mexico, Tho consequence
was that tho Mexican Government collected
little or no revenue on the Rio Grande, Iu
response to the appeals of the Mexican towns
thus deprived of their trade, aud making a
virtue of necessity*, the Mexican Congress, in
ISSB, established a “free zone,” or district,ex
tending, say, fifty or one hundred miles back
from the Kio.Grande, into which it was de
clared foreign goods might bo imported free
of duty. This placed the Mexicans aud the
Mexican towns on an equality with tho
Americans. The Avar follow’cd, aud after it
came our present high taiill. At the close of
the Avar the condition of affairs was directly
the reA’orso of what it had been
ten years before. On the Mexican side
of tho river there was no tariff; on the
American side the duty was from 40 to 10D
per cent. Tho Mexican could import foreign
goods free of duty, Avhile the American could
not. Trade immediately recrossed the riA*er.
Merchants in BroAvnsvillo packed their goods
and moved OA*er into Matamoras. Tho whole
country traded Avith the Mexicans. The peo
ple of Texas, who obtained their supplies
from the river tow ns, traded with tho Mexi
can merchants, and, precisely as American
goods were once smuggled across the river
into Mexico, so now they are smuggled from
Mexico into Texas aud as Mexico could col
lect no rcA-euuo from her ports on the Rio
Grande, so now* the United States do not re
ceive enough to pay the salaries of tho offi
cers.
The owners of empty stores and unoccu
pied buildings in BrowusA*illo demand that
the United States shall compel Mexico to
abolish the free zone, and establish a tariff
as high as ours. The Texan remedy is to
take forcible possession of the whole territo
ry embraced in tho free zone, thus settling
the question by* conquest. Tho demand for
the abolishment of this free zone is resent
ed in Mexico by tho whole nation. They
present the case strongly when they show
that the United States, for many years pre
vious to ISOS, had a tariff imposing nominal
duties, while Mexico had a high tariff;
that what the United States now experience,
iu an inability to collect revenue, is no more
than what Mexico endured for many years,
aud'that the establishment of the free zone
was forced upon Mexico by* the policy* of the
United States. The change in the relative
position of the two countries is not the result
of Mexican legislation, but is entirely duo to
tbe A'oluntary change in her tariff policy*
made by* tho United States. It is difficult to
answer this argument. Certainly*, the con
dition of affairs docs not call forany invasion
of |Mexico, or any* conq nest of her territory.
It is no part of tho duty* of Mexico to enforce
the collection of our revenue.
CATACAZTS NEWSPAPER EXPLOITS.
A portion of the mucli-talked-übont Cata
cazy correspondence has, through the blun
der of that illustrious diplomat, Cameron,
reached the public eye. It has been under
stood for some time that Catacazy’s offence,
for which the United States Government has
asked of the Emperor of Russia his imme
diate recall, consisted in meddlesome inter
ference with affairs not his own or his na
tion’s, and in a too free communication with
the public press to suit the dignity of his
office. One illustration of this affinity of
Catacazy for printers’ ink leaked out before
the great Pennsylvania diplomat dis
covered that the correspondence en
trusted to him was not yet ripe for
public perusal, and was transmitted to Tub
Toibuxb readers by our special Washington
correspondent. This consisted of certain let
ters to the Kew York World, either written
or inspired by Catacazy, published early last
spring, and intended to stir up a feeling hos
tile to an adjustment of the questions then
landing between the American Government
and Great Britain. The zealous and eccen
tric Ambassador of the Czar evidently felt it
his duty to serve his government by keeping
the United States at swords’ points with
England, and thus weakening the
moral support of the latter power.
and rendering, at the same time,
a close alliance with Russia more desirable
to the United States. This was a manifesta
tion of affection, not perhaps without a pre-
cedent either in social life or in diplomacy
hut, if it has any proper place in diplomacy
it was for Prince Gortschakoff, at St. Peters-
burg, aud not for M. de Catacazy, who was
sharing, at Washington, tho hospitality of
the government which he sought to embroil.
Aud then the daily scribbling to tho journals.!
Putting all his exploits together, it is obvious
that M. de Catacazy’s career at Washington
has been very scaly, aud the only wonder is
that he has been tolerated so long at Wash
ington.
As it is, the determination of tho Russian
Government to send tho Czar’s son over to us
without changing beforehand the officer who
was to act as his usher iu America, seems to
have dampened somewhat tho enthusiasm of
the authorities at Washington, whose recep-
tion was very formal and brief. All tho
“gushing” that has been done over Alexia
has proceeded from social sources, most
ly iu Kow York city. That tho gov
ernment aud the country at largo have not
made more fuss over the j'ouug Graud Buko
(who is, by all accounts, a very iiuo fellow)
may he charged up to Catacazy, and that of
ficial may uow no longer stay upon the order
of his coing, hut go at once hack to St. Pe
tersburg-disgusted, as ho doubtless will he,
at the had faith of the American newspaper
correspondents, who take his gossipy contri
butions and refuse to help him lie away the
responsibility of them.
The appointment of Mr. Burchard, of Illi
nois, as a member of the Committee of Ways
and Means, is a deserved compliment to the
studious aud persevering habits, tho careful
training and unblemished character of tho
Representative of tho Third District of Illi
nois. Although in his second term, ho has
achieved a notable distinction, which tho
Speaker has properly recognized in giving
him so important a position in tho councils
of the paity and the nation.
Tho New York Tripune acknowledges do
feat in tho now Committee of Way’s aud
Means. It says that “tho committee is no
longer Protectionist, as we think it ought to
he.” It admits, however, that the commit
tee fairly'.represents the House.
The Trihnm’s Washington correspondent,
describing tho appearance of tho House
when the committees were summoned,
says:
The Ways and Means Committee excited the
most remark. Judge Kelley said that a
of the members were for Iree Trade. So thou„ut
Mr- Dk-key of Pennsylvania, who went up to the
Speaker, who sat on the stone steps at the toot of
his chair, and said: Blaine, you have given us a
Free-Trade Committee.” ‘-1 meant to give you
a Free Coal Committee,” tho Speaker replied;
“and If I know my men, I have done so.
“The Protectionists have got tho Ways and
Means Chairmanship,” said a Western Free-
Trader, but we have a majority on tho commit
tee.” Tho committee is believed to stand as fol
lows on the tariff question; Kelley and Maynard
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: FBIUAI', HECEMIiEIi 8, 1871.
arc High Tariff men—“ 99 per cent men,*' they arc
Bomelihie s called. Daves and Roberta are Mod
erate Protectionists; Brooks and FlnkelnouTg
ore Free-Traders; Burchard and Kerr are Mod
erate Revenue Tariff men, and Beck Is for Free
Trade generally, but for Protection for such ar
ticles as Kentucky produces. All shades of opin
ions on the tariff are pretty fairly represented on
the committee, and In about the proportionate
strength they have in the House.
SOUTHERN SCHOOL BOORS.
At last the South is happy, and proclaims
her independence of Northern text-books for
use in schools and colleges. A number of
discontented gentlemen have been for some
time engaged in the preparation of a series
of school books which should be free from
tbo blemish of Northern imprints, and from
that sectionalism which was in danger of
inspiring the Southern youth with radical
ism and other Northern peculiarities, which
are regarded iu Dixie with mortal aversion,
Tho University Series” is the name under
which these books aro to be known
hereafter. They are issued by a stock
company, and among tho stockholders are
Jefferson Davis, Generals Johnston, Beaure
gard, Ewell, Hood, Buckner, Hays, Taylor,
Gilmer, Leo (eldest son of Robert E. Leo),
James A. Seddou,lato Confederate Secrctaxy
of War, and many prominent bankers, rail
road men, planters, and others who have, it
is to he presumed, made education and edu
cational works a subject of profound study
for many years. Professor Holmes has issued
tho Readers aud History of tho United States,
and, iu tho latter,tho Mobile Register informs
ns, has avoided “the provincial narrowness
which characterizes New England histories,”
and has done full justice to his own side iu
treating of certain matters necessarily in
volving sectional questions.” Commodore
Maury furnishes the geographical series, be
ginning with First Lessons and ending
with Physical Geography.” Prof. Venable’s
arithmetic and algebra are pronounced or
thodox, not a sum in addition or tho most
abstruse equation containing any of the
Northern virus. Rev. Mr. Carter is
represented by a General History,
but “unfortunately the work has some
serious blemishes,” which is unfortunate for
the reverend gentleman, aud throws., doubt
upon the critical judgment of the education
al stockholders. The Mobile Jteyhtcr, from
which we derive our information, glowing
as tho prospect seems, is not altogether hap
py over tho situation, as maybe inferred
from tbo following frank acknowledgment:
Upon the whole, wo aro satisfied that nothing
at all comparable to this series' of hooks—taking
them altogether—has ever been offered for the
use of Southern schools and Southern households
If they are not universally adopted, it will not bo
fjoiniany literary, or artistic, or mechanical infe
riority, but simply on account of the iuvetorato
prejudice consciously or unconsciously prevail
ing in our schools m behalf of tho modes of
thought, modes of speech, and other peculiarities
of New England.
To the inveterate prejudice for New England
modes of thought, speech, and other peculi
arities, tho llcifistcr might have added tho
inveterate partiality or universal necessity
for New England teachers, as tho large ma
jority of the educators in the schools of the
South arc from Now England; and Virginia,
at least, has modelled her schools upon the
graded school S3*stcm of Boston. Wo are not
inclined, howcA*er, to find fault with the
South for adopting a course of instruction
for schools aud colleges, aud urging its im
portance through tho public press. Wo
rejoice to seo tho South moving iu tho
matter of general education, even through
the medium of distinctively* Southern text
books; for general education, freely and in
telligently* disseminated, Avill, in due course
of time, perhaps in another generation, show
the students that tho North was right and
the South was Avroug, and that a free gov-
eminent cannot exist if it gives any* person
tho right to own human labor or deprives a
laborer of his fair wages.
THE PARK FAMILY MURDER
Oiir readers are already familiar ■with the
recent terrible murder of the Park famity in
Clark Count y,lndiana; the arrest of three
negroes for the offence, and their execution
by a masked mob, who took them from the
jail where they were confined. Since that
event the people of Indiana have begun to
suspect that the three negroes were inno
cent, and that the murder, in reality, was
committed by white persons. The Indianap
olis Journal of the Oth contains some astound
ing developments, which go to show that
the innocent have suffered, and that the
guilty ones are still at large. The grounds
upon which these facts are asserted are sub
stantially as follows: First, that Mr. Park
had some hitter enemies, aud that some time
previous to the murder he had received
threatening letters. This fact was tes
tified to by a Mr. Kirk, and, on the
game day, an attempt was made
to murder Mr. Kirk by two white men.
Sccoud, that the uegro Johnson, from whoai
a confession was extorted by torture, invari
ably denied the crime when among his
friends. Third, that no definite testimony
was given as to the identity of the coat and
pocket-book found at the house of Taylor,
another of the negroes, and that, as the al
leged object of the murder was plunder, they
would have been more likely to have taken
more valuable clothing and a pocket-hook
containing money, which were in plain
sight. Two searches were made in Taylor’s
house. The first revealed nothing, and the
second resulted in finding these two articles
in a trunk which had been thoroughly exam
ined during the first search. Fourth, public
rumor asserted that the tracks of three
bigfinegroes were found about the resi
dence aud in an adjoining patch,
while, since the mob violence, it has
been ascertained that there were
only the tracks of two persons, one of
whom had very small feet, and these tracks
have been proved to be identical with the
tracks found about Mr. Kirk’s house. Fifth,
the {testimony before the grand jury is
shown to have been contradictory and much
of it false. Sixth, that Mr. Park was a true
friend and benefactor to the negroes in a re
gion where public feeling was entirely
against them, and had been a special friend
of Squire Taylor, who is alleged to have been
the most active participant in the murder.
Seventh, that the barbarous execution was
by no means an impromptu affair, but was
deliberately planned and definitely appoint
ed long before it was decided that the grand
jury would not indict the accused, and that
three of the grand jury, before the close of
the court iu which they were sitting, were
members of the mob. Of these three,
each has killed a man before aud never been
legally dealt with. Eighth, it is now as
certained that the little grandson of Taylor
was induced, by offers of money and threats
of death, to give in false evidence, corrobo
rating the confession of Johnson; that his
piece was prepared for him, and all ho had
to do was to commit it and repeat it, in
which latter performance ho signally failed.
Ninth, that one of the mob, who had more
to do with the detection and execution of
the negroes than any one else, now says, to
clear hia conscience, that the negroes had
nothing whatever to do with the ailair.
And, lastly, that the reports concerning the
had character of the negroes are utterly un
founded, and that, in the case of one of them,
a clear alihi can 1)0 proven.
The evidence furnished by the Journal
seems utterly incontrovertible, and almost
unmistakably points to the commission of a
triple murder even more terrible than that of
the Park family, at the hands of a cowardly,
lawless mob. It is the most disgraceful epi
sode in the history of Indiana, and calls for
the condign punishment of every one con
nected with it. The Journal is warranted in
saying: “We again warn the paralyzed and
cowardly ministers of the law in Clark Coun
ty that, if they do not bestir themselves to
punish these crimes, a power, strong and in
telligent enough to accomplish what it un
dertakes, will assume the performance of the
neglected task." It is diflicult to see, if the
Kn-Klux of South Carolina are to ho sup
pressed hy the strong arm of the government
for Betting laws at defiance, why the Ku-
Klux of Indiana should not he suppressed for
the same act. Until something is done, a re
proach must always rest upon Indiana law
and justice.
Tho Grand Duke Alexis will be in Chicago
on the 20th instant, provided the indefatiga
ble Fadladcen Catacazy can bo persuaded to
tear himself away from tho overpressinghos
pitality of tho one hundred select New York
ers, aud brave tho countless droves of buffalo
wbicb are supposed in Imperial Russian cir
cles to rage between Chicago and New York.
Meantime, our now Mayor is understood to
be brushing up his Russian, in order to turn
off a neat rocoptiouspeech in the Muscovite's
own vernacular. As an aid to this exercise, we
clip for His Honor, from a Boston paper, the
following specimen of Court Russian, said
to havo been transmitted by tbe illustrious
scion of tbo Romanoffs to tho Mayor of Bos
ton, in response to a pressing invitation from
that official:
Orl ritotd hnstah yukeiuKormi legor/bulU lellu
He bloski hi fur Boston. Gilyur rximatuciski an
lolzcr citii homers redi, anian olccatcazy tcilbi
doxenonyer lykea neskemo onah tallat andle.
This is, we suppose, tho regular official for
mula for all like occasions; though wo feel
sure that Alexis will do something special
and distinguished for Chicago. At all events,
it is doubtful whether, under the now order
of things in this !cifcy, the rumanwiski
will he forthcoming.
the nokthwest.
ILLINOIS.
A collection of 1,500 beetles is for sale in Bloom
ington. Tho collection was made by Dr. Benja
min Norris, of Piko County, from various parts
of this county and Europe. The hugs are scien
tifically named and classified.
—A magnificent golden eagle, measuring seven
andahalffset across tho wings, was captured
near Carrollton last week. Ho was shot aud
crippled in one wing. On being brought to the
ground, a dog attacked him, hut tho king of birds
pitched in and whipped him.
—The Jacksonville Journal gives tho following:
“A gentleman avlio was visiting at tho farm
house of Mr. Thomas Patterson, two miles north
of Alexander, informs us that a strange occur
rence had taken place at tho farm not long sinco.
A breeding mare gave birth to twin colts, ono a
horse and the other a mule. The colts are lively
and strong, and seem fond of each other.”
—On Saturday week, Eli Brown and David
Smith killed two deer in’White Oak Gvoa'O, Mo-
Lcnn County, These are tho first deer seen in
that section for some years.
—Mrs. Juba Newman,a school-teacher of Collins
ville, was drowned at St. Louis on tho Ist inst
while attempting to get in a ferry-boat.
—A new paper, called tho Siynal, has been
started at Eoodhouse, Jersey County, by Charles
H. Johnson.
—Macoupin County had 60,590 acres of wheat,
P7,4C0 acres of corn, and 3G.C29 acres of other
field products in cultivation iu 1871.
—Peoria is infested with three-card monto.
—Mrs. Sarah Marshall,wifo of ex-Mayor Wilson,
Cairo, died on tho fid inst.
—Mr. E. 11. Seward has a dairy of thirty-five
cows iu Marengo County, Avhlch havo brought
him iu an average of $73 apiece tho past year.
During tho year he fed them sl7 worth of Ifeed
per head, besides what ho raised himself. Ills
cows yielded soo pounds of milk per day, which
he sells at one cunt per pound. Ono pound of
butter is made from tAventy pounds of milk,
which is much more profitable than making it in
to chccso.
—Bubini, tho conjuror, is getting into trouble
everywhere. At Quincy, he gave the winner of
a prize-horse a sight-draft on a livory-staolo iu
that city. Tho draft, however, was not honored,
as Bubini had no horses on deposit. In tho
mean time, tho conjuror had gone. Ho next
turned up in Peoria. The waiter of a hotel
drew a horse, got drunk on tho strength of it,
treated all his friends, spent alibis money, and
lost his situation. Tho next morning ho applied
at the stable for his horse, huf found none there,
and Bubini gone. Tbo waiter and some of his
friends have now gone for Bubini, and will prob
ably make it lively for him Avheu they find him.
People will do well to give all these gift-distribut
ing conjurors a wide berth.
—The Elgin Universalists contemplate raising
and enlarging their church edifice to accommo
date their necessities.
—A fire in Fulton on Thanksgiving Day burned
Fisher Horn’s cigar store, John Dyer’s shoo
store, Gay Lyon’s grocery, and C. N. Wheeler’s
hordAvarc stove.
—A man named James H. Morris was found
dead in his bed at Decatur, ono morning last
week, with his arm around his little son, with
whom he slept. Tho Coroner’s jury returned a
verdict of death from heart disease.
—The new High School Building at Dolcvan, re
cently erected at a cost of $J5,000, was destroyed
by fire on the 4lh inst.
—George Starr, a well-known farmer living
near Woodstock, died from an apopleptic stroke,
ou the 2d inst., while drawing Avater from his
well. Tho wife of Mr. Alexander Martin, another
farmer living near Woodstock, Avas killed, ou tho
Id inst., by a fall from a wagon.
—Some thieves lately drovo their wagon up to
the stove of H. E. Woods, at Garden Fralrlo, and
iclped themselves to about S3OO worth of goods.
—Livingston County* sends more Insane people
to Jacksonville than any other county in the
State, except Cook.
—The Rev. Mr. Morrison, of lowa, has been
transferred to tho Alton District, and .appointed
to the pastorale of tho SI. E. Church, in Alton,
made vacant by the appointment of tho Rev. J.
V>\ Lane, as Presiding Elder of the district.
—Tho question of tho location of tho State
Fair will come before tho Executive Committee
of tho State Agricultural Society, at their meet
ing in Spriuglield, commencing January 0,1872._
—DuQuoiu has prohibited gambling, by a late
ordinance.
Tho Rushvillo Times reports that D. E. Woods,
a stock-dealer of Sharp’s Landing, recently left
ror St. Louis with a lot of stock, for which ho
owes the citizens, and has not since returned.
—There are twelve colleges in this State, with
2,830 students in attendance.
—Monmouth College has lately acquired an ad
dition to Us Cabinet in the shape of a collection
of Chinese curiosities, presented by the Rev. J.
C. Novin, missionary of tho United Prcshytoriau
Church at Canton, China.
IOWA.
A man in Washington sold Martino, the illusion
ist, a cow fors2s, and then went to the show and
drew the cow back again.
—A man in tho employ of tho Northwestern
Railroad Company met with a singular aaoldent
at Boone, a few days ago. Whilst springing from
a car to the ground, a heavy gold ring, worn upon
the small finger, caught on a nail-head, and in an
instant was separated from tho hand by taking
the linger "with it.
—Marshaltown has thirteen religious organiza-
'—The Mississippi River at Keokuk is at present
down below’ tho lowest recorded mark.
—A suit is now pending before tho Circuit
Court at Ottawa involving the sum of sixty-ouo
cents.
—Mrs. Mary M. Harris, wife of Mr. Harris, who
was killed last winter by the falling of an em
bankment on tho Dubuque A St. Paul Railroad,
below Fayette, has sued the contractors, tho
Messrs. Burch, for damages, laying a claim for
$5,000. Toe trial will probably take place during
the next term of the District Court.
WISCONSIN.
George M. West, late of tho Brandon Times, has
bought an interest in tho Ripon Free Press. Tho
editor introduces him by saying, Likp ourself,
he has no religion to speak of.”
—cumber has advanced one dollar per thousand
in the St. Croix trade.
—The Wood County Jicporler says: “Robert
Blow last week had eighteen sheep killed by a
valuable dog. Twelve were killed outright, and
six were slaughtered to save their lives.”
—The Jackson County Banner says: “Pits,
hog cholera, or some other pork disease, is pre
vailiugamongthehogfamily in this region. Wo
have heard of several hogs dying in tho county
within tho past ten days in a singular manner.
They appear to bo attacked with Ills or spasms,
and generally die within a few hours.”
INDIANA.
Considerable excitement lias been occasioned
in tbe township of French Lick by a case of sup
posed poisoning. The poisoning occurred in the
family of Mr. Charles Lewis. During his ab
sence, Mrs. Lewis prepared a bowl of milk for the
four children, and, ordering that they should
drink it at a certain hour, left homo, and had not
returned at last accounts. The children drank
tho milk, and were immediately seized with
spasms and other manifestations of poison. All
of them recovered with medical aid.
—An Irishman named Thomas Kelley was
burned to death on the 29th ult, about two miles
north of Bridgton, Parke County. It seems ho
was holding some kind of a jollification, and was
full of liquor, when his slmnty burned down, and,
not being able to get out, ho was destroyed with
it,
—A lady in Perrysvlllo, Vermilion County, the
other night, threw a brickbat through the win
dow of a billiard hall at her husband, who was on
the inside playing a game of billiards.
—On Friday morning last, Lucy Singleton, an
inmate of the Jefferson County Poor Asylum,
was terribly burned by falling into the fire. Her
recovery is doubtful.
MICHIGAN.
Miss Tola Gilmore, a young Lady Uvlng at
Augusta, was burned to dcatli on tbo 20Ui ult, by
the explosion of gasoline lamp.
—A petrified body baa been found in tbe Kala
mazoo cemetery.
—Standing beside the school house store, at
Clayton, on the 20th ult, a little girl named
Reams ignited her clothing, and from the burns
received died on the 22d.
—Tbe Congregational Church at Dryden was
burned on Thanksgiving Day, during tbo services.
—A little daughter of Mr. Clary, of Escanaha t
attempted to light a Are. November 13, by tbo aid
of hcroscnc, when tho usual conscauenco follow
ed. Sbo died after a few hours of agony, and bor
mother and two others, In their efforts to save
her; were seriously burned.
—lt Is estimated that over 400,000 barrels of ap
ples have boon freighted over tho Michigan Cen
tral Kailroad thus far this season.
-The venerable Dr. Charles Stuart died on Sun
day last In Kalamazoo, at the residence of his son,
es-Senator Stuart. He was 80 years of age. and
has lived in Kalamazoo since 1933.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Jury Fees of the Circuit and Su-
perior Courts.
Reconsideration of Mr. Ashton’s War
Debt Resolution.
Interesting Discussion about the
tost Records.
Pursuant to adjournment, the Board of County
Commissioners mot yesterday afternoon at 2
o’clock, in the County Treasurer’s office, Presi
dent the chair. There Avere also present
tho following Commissioners: Ashton, Harris,
Harrison, Horting, Hitchcock, Jones, Pahlman,
Roello, Skclly, Stearns, Talcott, Loncrgan, and
Crawford.
THE RILLS OF EMMANUEL HOCKEY.
Commissioner Talcott moved to reconsider tho
Tote authorizing tho payment of tho bills of Em
manuel Bockey. Carried.
Tho bills were then referred to tho Committee
on Miscellaneous Claims.
RELIEA*INC THE CITY OP THE NORMAL SCHOOL.
A communication from tho Board of Education
with a resolution, asking that tho Commissioners
relievo the city of tho Cook County Normal
School (published in The Tribune) avus received
and read.
It was referred to tho Committee on Education.
INSURANCE on the EAST AVINO.
A communication from tho County Clerk with
regard to tho insurance on tho cast half of the
old Court House, was received. It set forth that
tho insurance was as follows
Mutual Security
Lamar.
Merchants.
Oenuunia..
Total.
Proofs of loss had been prepared and Avere now
in the hands of tho Clerk, awaiting tho action of
the board us regards tho securing of the insur
ali{eferred to the Finance Committee.
JURY FEES OF TUB CIRCUIT AND SUPERIOR COURTS.
A communication was received from tho Coun
ty Treasurer, submitting the amount of jury fees
paid out, as follows:
Jury certificates of tho Superior Court O.CItSO
jury certificates of the Circuit Court 15.20 X.90
Total #1,932.70
Commissioner Talcott inquired how the Crimi
nal Court jurors were paid.
Tho Chair said tho city paid them.
It avus vefeited to tho Judiciary Committee.
TRANSPORTATION OF AN INVALID.
A communication was received from Isaas
Spear, stating that one J. L. Gailaucr, injured at
Mattoon and taken to the Count}’ Hospital, aud
that though amputation was necessary ho wished
to go to friends in Philadelphia.
Referred to the Committee ou Poor House and
paupers.
COUNTY ACCOMMODATIONS.
Commissioner Hitchcock presented a commu
nication from the Board of Public Works, express
ing a regret that arrangements had not before
been made with the county for rooms in tho res
ervoir lot, aud that to build an additional story
during the present season was difficult. Tho
boaxd therefore offered the county such unoccu
pied rooms as were at their disposal.
The communication was placed on file.
DUPLICATE RONDS.
Tho Committee ou Finance, to whom was re
ferred tho communication of the Widows’ and
Orphans’ Association, requesting duplicates of
war bonds Nos. 103 and 3G7 of SSOO, reported favor
ably to the prayer of the petitioners.
Tho report was adopted.
THE NEW QUARTERS.
Commissioner Talcott, of tho Committee on
Public Buildings,reported verbally that they had
conferred with the Board of Public Works, and
that rooms Avould probably bo offered by Jauu
ary l,
THE AVAR-DEBT RESOLUTION RECONSIDERED.
Commissioner Harrison moved a reconsidera
tion ol the vote memorializing Congress for tho
remission of the war debt. Ho was opposed to
the passage, by an immediate vote, of resolutions
of such magnitude and importance. Ho thought
it was not the resolution required.
Commissioner Hitchcock thought it desirable
to reconsider the vote. He thought the Commit
tee on Finance should have considered it first.
He did not think Congress should ho
asked to make a precedent by which
any city or county could impose
upon the General Government any debt that
might have been incurred in tho war. Ho
thought, by judicious economy. Cook County
could pay her own debt. But, without passing
any judgment upon it, ho would like the actiou
of tho board to bo considerate, and thought it
should be referred to the Finance Committee.
Commissioner Ashton could not see what ad
vantage tho reconsideration of the vote and
the reference to a committee would he.
lie had no doubt that tho coun
ty would ultimately ho enabled to
nav its own debt. They ffero not placing them-
Mdvcs in tho position of mendicants asking a
favor. They were merely asking the General
Government to give back to them what they hud
given tho General Government He saw no way
m which the county could, at present, pay its
own debt. No one In the history of tho world had
seen such a precedent. He saw no reason for
dclav; no occasion for such red tape as tho Re
lit f ’Committee was inilicting on tho people.
Commissioner Harrison said that the resolution
asked Congress for money which Cook County
had never paid. She had issued bonds.
Commissioner Ashton said tho only way in
which Congress could act would bo eitner in as
suming the'bonds herself or returning them can
celled. Ho hud made up his mind never
again to allow so important a measure
to be hurried through tho board by an eloquent
speech. Ho hoped if Congress was to bo memo
rialized it would be to do tho proper thing.
A vote was taken on tho motion to reconsider,
resulting, yens, y nays, o—as follows
jVns—Crawford. Harris*, Harrison, Hitchcock, Jones,
Vahlmaii, bktlly, Tuleott, and tho I'n-HhU-nt-1).
Hurting, Lonergan, itoclle, and
Stearns—6.
Thp resolution vraa referred to tho Committee
on Finance.
AVIIAT RIGHT HAD THEY?
Commissioner Steams offered the following
Hnolral, That the Judiciary Committee be requested
to rciiovt to ttiis hoard, as *OOll as conveuient, whether
in their opinion tne old Hoard ol Supervisors had
local rights to appoint employes, and to fix salaries
Jor the county beyond the lifetime ol their ollice.
The resolution was adopted.
IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
Commissioner Tuleott moved to go into Com
mittee of tho Whole on the subject of the lost
records.
Tho motion prevailing. General White culled on
Commissioner Talcott to take the chair.
Coiurnhsioner White read from The Tribune a
report of tho proceedings of tho Legislature with
regard to the two bills introduced by Mr. King,
ol Cook County, with regard to the destroyed
records. It ho understood that it was intended
that tho State was to pay for the
loft abstracts, ho was greatly m favor
of it. and would be thankful to tho
Stale for so doing. But if it was proposed to ap
point a commission to examine and purchase tho
abstracts, at their prices, ami, further compel
Cook County to pay for them, ho would most
strenuous’}’ oppose it. The law provided that
the County C« mmissioners should supersede the
Board of Supervisors. So far us his knowledge
went, there hud been no change In the constitu
tion. If that had not been abrogated ho would
like to know by what process tho Legislature
could disburse the money of Cook Coun
ty, Then ho wished to know if it
was necessary for the county to apply to the Leg
islature for authority to purchase tho records,
lie was not certain tho county wished to pur
chase. He did not know whether the abstracts
were worth purchasing. If this action on tho
part of Mr. King was intended as a piece of pleas
antry, he did not see where the joke came in. He
did him the justice to believe he was not serious.
This question was one about which the board
should proceed with the gravest deliberation.
It these abstracts w<jro valuable, and it was
desirable to buy them, it would then
bo time to decide what they would pay for them.
He did not think the owner thereof would ask
for these abstracts a price live or six times their
value, ami consign their names to everlasting
iulamy. But even more appalling than the pros
pect of paving ten times its value for au abstract,
was that of going into the courts foronohundred,
two hundred, and even three hundred years of
litigation, when his heirs and descendants, by
reason of the lapse of ages and
tno dlffenertlatlous of tho species,
would lay no claim of relationship to him or pos
session to his real estate. He believed, however,
that the owners of abstracts were men of con
science. If there was any process by which, at a
reasonable price, the records, or copies thereof,
could bo placed in the hands of a custodian, and
made by the Legislature prlmafueic evidence of
title, that. It seemed, was the desirable thing to
accomplish. But he was opposed to giv
ing that up to four or five individuals. Ho
thought sumo course ought to betaken by tho
lioaid, to undertake, by the cheapest, speediest,
and most convenient method, to restore the
titles. But they ought to bo deliberate, and see
that no wrong could be done tho county in doing
to. He moved that tho board invite owners of
abstracts of title to present to the board whut
they have to offer and to sell.
Commissioner Harrison moved to amend) by
adding to their offers the price they would
charge for copies. There were lawyers
in this town who looked for if
vast amount of fraud and land-grabbing in the
matter of titles. There were some who thought
that allowing it to bo settled by a summary pro
cess, with short limitations, would bo fraught
with more danger to minors or absentees, than
by allowing Tom, Dick or Harry to lamiliurizo
himself with tho indices of the records. HU idea
was that if anything were bought, it should be
copies of the records and indices, with an act of
the Legislature making them tho original rec
ords. lie went further than Commissioner White.
He thought if the board to take tho
matter *in hand, and purchase copies,
sworn to, certified to, examined and compared,
such a law only was required by the board.
There were Tammanys in every State and coun
ty. Give a few men the power of changing the
titles to property to the extent of millions ot dol
lars, ana ho could not answer for them, If tho
abstract makers would give copies at fair prices,
the board to determine them, they would deal
with them. But If they came with propositions
of c per cent of their prospective profits, ho
woula rather leave their property just where it
stood.
i Commissioner Ashton thought the aotlon'of tho
number from Cook county indicated that it
was either a stupendous joke or a great steal.
Sqmc evidence of tho muniments of title wore
necessary. The gentlemen had preserved their
looks, records, and establishments. All tho
county could do was to offer them reasonable
compensation for certified copies; or to sot to
woi k a corps of experienced copyists to copy tho
whole three sets; have them compared and
sworn to, and deposited with tho Record
er then have a small law passed
making them jirima facie evidence; ana have
them indexed by tho Clerk. They would then be
just exactly whut those were previous to the lire.
It would cost the county not more than §75,000.
It was a piece of folly and extravagance to talk
aboutpaying these abstract men 6 per cent of tiie
average of tbeir past three years’ profits, or
s£('« 000. It might cost §73,000, but §50.000 would,
in his opinion, bo costly. The records, by this
process, would be just what they were before tho
White handed tho Clerk his mo
tion, icducedto writing, us follows:
J!e*olred, Hint Uio owners of abstracts and other
evidences of UUo bo invited to exhibit to this board
such evidences for examination, at such time within
the next fire days as may bo to them convenient.
Commissioner Hitchcock said ho apprehended
that there was a great deal of popular error with
regard to the extent of the information-which
these abstract boohs could afford. He feared that
they would ho found to be nothing more than
indices or guides to the records. If they could
not give information beyond tho mere devise,
they would give just information enough to an
adventurer to levy blackmail upon the true title,
and then we all should be in chancery in truth.
Until the hoard could see what these indices were,
word), they could offer no price for them. He
thought the members of the hoard should as yet
reserve their opinion as well as their action. He
hoped that tho board would not, alarmed by tho
cry that tho whole of Cook County would be iu
chancery, satisfy themselves that the courts
themselves that tho courts should take no action
on the matters. Ho would give a year or so to
minors or non-residents to come in.
After further discussion tho committee rose
and reported the resolution to tho board, recom
mending its passage.
Tho resolution was adopted and the board
adjourned till Jlonday, at 2 o’clock.
THE BUMMERS* RETREAT.
The Home of the Soup-Ticket» Holders—
How the Inmates Sometimes Behave Them
selves—Snoring Prohibited—The English Sys
tem Better Than tho Chicago Flan.
Practical experience never having impressed
the fact upon them, it is just possible that many
persons are unconscious of the fact that at the
old police station on Union street, between Ran
dolph and Lake streets, any belated wanderer,
overtaken by cold and darkness, and possessed of
ho money, can obtain freo lodging for tho nighs
and a slice of bread and bacon m tho morning.
To secure these blessings he has only to present
himself at a police station and make known his
destitution, when what is facetiously termed a
“ticket for soup” will ho given him. But since
such a place does exist, ana since tho wanderers
who obtain relief from it pay no money for the
shelter and food they thus obtain.it may be taken
for granted, that, being human,they grumbloatthe
quality of bed and board. As those who grumble
are generally more or less drunk, It is not aston
ishing that their complaints are made with such
emphasis as a string of blasphemy can attach to
them, and that they thereby create a greater
sensation than a candid, unvarnished recital of
their miseries would produce. For instance: A
full-blooded, healthy, brawny Irishman returned
his ticket to tho station-keeper at the Union
Street Station, tho other evening, with a long
curse, partaking equally of the characteristics of
depth and din, and said he had been turned out.
It would be dltlicult to convey to ears polite tho
injured gentleman's discourse, inasmuch as it
was so interwoven with language that does
not look well in print that to purify
would bo to annihilate it. Tho general tenor
of his rambling remarks was that bo was drunk,
whi *h was the only statement continued by a duo
investigation into the facts of tho case He had
snored modestly, as any foreign or native-born
citizen had a right to snore—delicately and equa
bly, without particular emphasis or other annoy
ing proper!}*, and for this exercise of his privi
leges had been summarily seized by tho throat
and jammed into a neighboring gutter. Tho facts
of Ibe case were about as follows: Ho was drunk
when admitted. As he lay on tho floor ho was
beastly, and howled and snored, and snored and
howled, until the other victims of the barbarity
of tho Relief and Aid Society, who had neglected
to provide feather beds, arose in a body and re
monstrated with tho janitor. The drunken man
was quieted for less than eleven seconds, when
he repeated the performance with tho zest pecu
liar to an encore of that kind. Ho was again
roused, placed in a perpendicular position, and
begged to start out until sober.
It is supposed that a man who is belated on
more than two successive evenings is totally un
lit to associate with more enlightened persons,
and is not admitted- Hence, an old man who os
cillated between the various stations and the
lodging house, on presenting his ticket at the last
named place, recently, was refused admittance.
Hence, also, ho professed, in various quarters,
the most unmitigated abhorrence of the whole
system of relief for belated wanderers, and
poin ted out with much perseverauco tho imper
fections and shortcomings of tho Superintenaent
of tho lodging house.
The room is largo and very warm, so that a
blanket, except as a shield against tho assaults
of tobacco Juice, is an unnecessary addition to tho
furniture. And yet these men cry aloud for com
forts, sheets, pillows, and other luxuries. In the
morning they receive a share of bread and bacon,
in inventing names for which they occupy their
leisure moments, which are numerous, and ex
pend as large an amount of intellectual force as
us could bo expected of them, their vocabulary
being strong in adjectives and pastrparticiples.
indifferent in verba and shockingly attenuated
iu nouns substantive.
In tbo large cities of England tbe average be
lated wanderer is equivalent to his average
brother here. There, however, in order to more
healthily occupy his mind, and give him an op
portunity to earn as well as enjoy his breakfast,
lie Is required to furnish a certain amount of easy
manual labor before partaking of tho matutinal
meal. The vocabularies there have grown still
more limited than they are hero by this simple
Xirocees.
$5,000
5,000
6,000
5,000
$20,000
REAL ESTATE.
Instruments Filed for Record on Thursday,
December 7.
CITY PROPERTY
River st, s w comer of Michigan av, n f, 54x125
ft, dated Nov. 24; consideration, $24,000.
Meacher st, 80 ft wof Canal st, 50x80 ft, dated
Dec. 5; consideration, $0,500,
■Western av, s c corner of Second st, w f, 72x100
ft, dated Nov. 16; consideration, $1,680.
Lot 40 of Grcenclmum’a resubdivision of Block
20 in Sec. 7, 30,14, dated Nov. 25; consideration,
SBOO.
Fifth av, n w comer of Washington st, of, 40x
eo ft, dated Nov. 15; consideration, $55,000.
Lot 40 in Block 2 of Walker and Weston’s
Block 4 of n e 1-4 Sec. 31, 3s, 14, dated Sopt. 25;
consideration, SOSO. _
Ashland av, sw comer of Van Buren st, of,
Coxlso ft, datedDcc. 4; consideration, $32,500.
SOUTH OF CITY LIMITS.
Lot C 4 in Stone’s Addition, being in w l«2noW
•ct*. 8, US, n, dated Oct. 1; consideration, S3OO.
CITY AFFAIRS IN BRIEF.
The Grand Puke’s Visit.
XLo visit of the Grand Duke Alexis to Chicago
•will be a brief one—how brief may bo understood
from the announcement that ho will start for
New Orleans rut Chicago and St. Louis. As an
educational measure this can scarcely bo doomed
a success. lie could learn more about tho United
Slates in Chicago in a day than in New Orleans
in a year. As ho rushes through tho city ho will
look for the rums, and compare the aspect of the
city with tho New York newspaper reports, and
heave a sigh for tho mendacity of the
journals of this country. Ho will
inquire for tho barren waste of charred real estate
that they dilated on and endeavor to secure a rel
ic, but it will bo too late. Ho will travel to New
Orleans, ria St. Louis, and not enjoy his visit at
all, regretting forever that he omitted to stay a
day or two at Chicago. He will remember to the
day of his death that it was due to the Russian
Admiral Polsset who has given orders for tho lleet
to proceed at once to Cmna. Whether it was a
mere coincidence, or whether the Admiral wish
i d him not to sec Chicago until it was rebuilt en
tirely, or whether ho did not wish to take us from
our work of rebuilding to entertain a Prince, docs
not appear. He will see Boston and Philadelphia
bclorc going to New Orleans via Chicago and St.
Louis.
A New Kail Route.
The new route to Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and
Louisville via the Michigan Central ana Indianap
olis, Peru A Chicago Railways was opened on De
cember i. Two passenger trains leave Chicago
daily via the Michigan Central Railroad from tue
station at the foot of Twenty-second street, aa
luliows:6:l3 a. m., daily express, Sundays ex
cepted. reaches Indianapolis at 6:10 p. m., and
Cintinnuti at 10:43 p. in. The 9:13 p.m. night ox
pi css, Saturdays excepted, arrives at Indianapolis
at 7:55 a. m., and Cincinnati at 4:23 p. m. Sleep
ing curs tun through to Indianapolis without
change.
Mysterious Disappearance*
Albert M. Fuller, by trade a printer, left home
on lust Sunday morning, telling Ills wire he would
take a little walk, having been unwell for two or
Unco days. Since that hour ho has not been
heard from. Fears are entertained that he has
been foully dealt with. He is about five feet tcu
inches high, dark eyes, brown hair, whiskers, and
moustache; had on black pants and vest, brown
coat and slate-colored overcoat. Congress shoes,
and rubbers, and heavy cloth cap. Any Informa
tion of him will be gratefully received by his af
flicted wile, at No. UCI State street, or at No. 4U
Wabash avenue.
miscellaneous.
Tho damage done to the dry house of tho
Thayer «fc Toboy Furniture Comjiany by lire on
Wednesday was reported to have been $3,000. Tho
printer added u cipher and multipliedtho loss by
ten.
—A meeting of tbo re-elected Board of Direc
tors of tbe Pacific Hotel Company was held yes
terday at their otllco, 2fo. 113 Harrison street-
Judge L. B. Otis was elected President and Trea
surer, and Henry M. Smith Secretary for tho en
suing year.
—A meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Chicago Library As>ociation, will be held this af
ternoon at 21-2 o’clock, at tho Sherman House.
As matters of great importance will bo consld
e:ed at Ibis meeting, ills earnestly desired that
every member of the board will bo present.
To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune
Sir Contractor Howard, in his reply to
bricklayers of Chicago, appears to have worked
himself into a passion; otherwise tho peculiar
infiusucc ho refers to has become contagious. I
did dot know but the building on Madison street
had lallen, and squashed tho ono he is erecting
for A. 11. Holden it Co.; but, on future inquiry,
find it still standing with tho help of props
and the assistance of jack frost—tho natural re
sult of shoemakers, tailors, &c., laying brick, and
gas-fitters, and men that sold limo before tho lire,
contracting for buildings. To all general rules
tht re are exceptions. Mr. Howard is one of them.
He is a very modest man, and could nut have
been hi the ring.
While I was foreman for Sir. Howard, on South
Water street, I had none but good workmen, and
will have nothing else where i am, for the reason
that had ones are unprofitable and dangerous;
and after twelve years’ experience in tho line of
contracting brickwork, &c., I am not content to
have my reputation impaired by working such
men. 1 am, yours truly, J. E. Moore.
Chicago, Dec. 5.
Jo those xchom it may concern
The undersigned are deeply sensible of tho good
will toward themselves, which animated those
unknown persons who sent them a sum of money
on Thanksgiving Day; but they appreciate, also
that it was given because of supposed losses in
the great tire. Those* losses were not at all con
siderable. As tho money cannot ho returned to
those who sent it, it has been remitted to tho
Treasurer of tho Chicago Relief Society, in the
hope that tho intention of tho donors has tnus
been fulfilled. With thanks. B pusE
LAt-onTE, Ind., Dec. 1. CllAms p.^,,
Sure Protection,
RTho celebrated steam Ure-proof safes of Boston
have proved themselves in numerous tests, and
accidental Urea, to bo reliable, tire-proof safes.
Examine them before purchasing. Thousands of
thentnow in use. No, 03 South Canal street.
The Queition of Putting Up Fire Alarm
Telegraph Wires.
Dr. Chandler Authorized to Proceed with
A regular pemi-weekly meeting of the Board’of
Police and Fire Commissioners was held at the
Madison Street Station yesterday afternoon,
President Brown in tho Chair. Present—Com
missioners Sheridan, Rehm, and Chadwick.
The resignation of Thomas Borns, driver of
Was received and accepted.
Francis H. Butterfield, pipeman on the Long
John, and Daniel Reardon, driver of the Tlts
worth hose cart, having proved themselves capa-
We during their probation, were appointed recu
lar members of the Fire Department uteu refcU
The following communication was received
from E. B. Chandler, Superintendent of the Fire
Alarm Telegraph: 4 x IXO
GkxtlemeX: I am authorized, by the Snnerint™.i
ent of the Western Union Telegraph CoKl
state that they will place wires forthunao ot
alarm telegraph on poles throughout tho burnt
of the city, and rent them for that purpose t„ r nu
nnal rental ofs*2sper mile; tho city also to pay thca c
tnalcost of putting up and taking down tin, ij uw
when they are through with them, or until such time
as wo shall be in condition to reconstruct our lines in a
permanent and substantial manner. In view* of our
lack of appropriation to purchase material for ami
doing this work ourselves, I deem this a very ad
vantageous arrangement for tho temporary reconstruc
tion or oar lines, and the proposition a very liberal uno
on the part of the telegraph company, and would re
spectfully urge its acceptance by thu boanL
Commissioner Sheridan thought some arrange
ment should be made to save the North Side ini
case of fire.
Commissioner Brown asked how long the poles
would remain up.
Mr. Chandler said as long as the city needed
them.
Commissioner Rehm asked what streets tho
poles would ho erected on.
Mr. Chandler replied that they would follow
the route of poles now up, to the intersection of
Clark and TVells streets, with side lines to reach
the lire alarm boxes. Tho route, ho thought,
should bo determined by tho board. About
twenty miles of wire would he needed.
Tho South Side boxes were already connected.
Sxity boxes had been lost, and twenty-five new
ones weie on their way to tho city. Tho cost of
putting up and taking down tho poles would not
exceed $5 a mile.
Commissioner Chadwick wanted to know if tho
wires and pules would not revert to the telegraph
company.
Mr. Chandler said they would, and that any
pert tho company used would be exempt from
rental.
Commissioner Brown asked if it was proposed
to have watch-towers on the North Side. There
ought to be two or three, as they could not de
pend altogether on the boxes.
Fire Marshal Williams suggested that there boa
look-out on the top of tho old reservoir on tho
South Side.
Commissioner Chadwick thought the Water
Woiks tower would bo an excellent place.
Tho Secretary imagined that it would take all
day to reach the top of the tower in cold weather.
Commissioner Brown said a high Icok-out was
not needed for this winter.
Fire Marshal Williams remarked that tho tower
on the Rehm Engine House was not burned
down.
Assistant Marshal Walters reminded him that
the stairway had been destroyed.
Commissioner Brown thought the top could be
reached with a ladder.
Commissioner Rehm did not think It wonld re
quire much money to repair it. Two look-outs
were necessary, and it was the intention to have
them connected with the telegraph lines.
Commissioner Chadwick said the lines could ho
up in two weeks, and ho did not think tho same
facilities could be got for tho same amount of
money.
Commissioner, Sheridan inquired the cost of the
work per mile.
Mr. chandler said tho cheapest it could bo done
was $l3O a mile.
Commissioner Sheridan thought that was a
good investment for the company, as tho poles
and wires would revert to them when the city
was prepared to erect its own.
Commissioner Brown asked if the company
proposed to put their own lines on the poles.
Mr. Chandler said they would if business war
ranted it.
Commissioner Brown remarked that they could
telegraph for beer.
Commissioner Rehm thought there would he
no beer on the North Side this winter.
Commissioner Sheridan said the proposition ap
peared to be a reasonable one on its faco, but
when analyzed it was not. The investment would
pay the telegraph company 20 per cent interest,
which was exorbitant.
Commissioner Relim was of the opinion that
12,000 would ho sufficient to put up the wires and
poles, and hence did not see tho necessity of pay
ing S3OO a year for their use. He, therefore, moved
that the Superintendent of the fire alarm tele
graph be authorized to erect the lines at an ex
pense not exceeding $2,000.
Commissioner Sheridan said ho would second
the motion if there was any chance of getting the
money.
Commissioner Rehm did not think the Council
would be so mean as to refuse to pay it.
Mr. Chandler said, it would be useless to at
tempt to do the work with his present force—he
hadn't men enough. He hud hud $5,000, but it
had all or nearly all been expended in repairing
the lines on the South Side and in replacing the
batteries destroyed.
Tho motion was agreed to, Commissioner
Brown voting in the negative because ho did not
know where the money was to come from.
A list of tho property belonging to the Police
and Fire Departments, destroyed by the fire, was
submitted to the Secretary. The value of every
thing burned up is $140,105.19.
Fire Marshal Williams suggested that a hook
and ladder truck he provided for the South Side,
ns there was none now available should there be
a lire in the burnt district.
Assistant Marshal Schauk recommended.that a
new one be purchased in New York.
Marshal Williams said the wheels and iron
parts, with tho exception of the springs, of Truck
No. 1, which was partially destroyed, could bo
used again. He would get estimates of the cost,
and report to tho Commissioners.
The board then adjourned.
A Reply.
A Card.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
the Work*
Geological Experiment*.
State Geologist's Office,
Sfiuxgfield, 111., Deo. C, 1871. y
To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune:
Sir: The suggestion of your correspondent
“Rural,” in his letter, published in Toe Daily
Tbiudse of the 23th ult, in regard to the impor
tance of making such experiments with the dia
mond-drill as would determine tho source of our
artesian waters, and the extent of area over
which artesian wells may bo made available for a
water-supply in this State, I most heartily ap
prove, and would most cheerfully direct anyef
iorts that might bo thought advisable in that di
rection. But tho formidable question of the
means to carry on such experiments at once pre
sents itself, and, until that can be fully met ami
answered by your correspondent, I sub
mit that it can hardly be considered the
duty of tho State Geologist to undertake,
in the absence of legislative authority, any
experiments of the hind. Tho entire amonnt of
tho annual appropriation for carrying on the
geological survey of this State would not be suffi
cient to pay the coat of sinking a single well to
one-hall the depth required to reach the water
bearing sandstones, anywhere in tho central por
tion of the State; and hence all experiments In
Hus direction must bo deferred until the means
for carrying them to a successful issue are pro
vided. I fully agree with your correspondent
that such an undertaking, if carried to a success
ful issue, would be of great value to the industrial
interests of tno State; but, until adequate means
arc provided for placing in tho hands of tho peo
ple tho results of the work already done in tho
prosecution of the geological survey, I have not
felt disposed to suggest an appropriation for any
other purpose.
Should it be thought advisable to ask for an ap
propriation for this especial purpose, I would
suggest that at least three experiments be made,
a hundred miles or so apart, and at such points as
would afford the best economical results, if suc
ccsslul. A boring is now being made by tho citi
zens of Yandalia, to determine the coal resources
of that locality, which will probably bo carried
to the depth of live or six hundred feet, unless a
workable coal is sooner reached. Lot the State
provide tho means for carrying this boring on
with tho diamond-drill to the depth of two thou
sand feet, or until the sandstones of the Potsdam
group are reached; then let two additional bor-
Bigs bo made,—one at Jacksonville, where a sup
ply of water Is greatly needed to supply tho State
institutions there located, and the other at Tolo
no, or some other point on the Illinois Central
Railroad north of Vandalla; and these threo bor
ings, if successful, would settle the question of a
water-supply, in a general way, for the central por
tions of the State, and be of inestimable value to
tho industrial interests of our population.
Borings at the points suggested on the lino of
tho Illinois Central Railroad would also help
greatly to settle anetber question of scarcely less
importance to the industrial.interests of Central
Illinois, namely, the extent to which the worka
ble coals are developed in wbat is known as the
libuois coal-field. These localities are near tho
centre of the basin; and tho opinion has been ex
pressed by some of our Western geologists that
the heavy coal-seams that 110 near tho huso of the
coal-measures, and are extensively developed
around the borders of the held, will afford no coal
of sufficient thickness to bo worked by deep min
in'” in the centre of the basin. This opinion has
bctu founded upon one or two reported borings
for oil in the central portion of the State, where
no coal was reported, though the borings were
caxrieddown far enough to have penetrated to
the base of the coal-measures.
Although not agreeing with tho views of these
gentlemen, I cannot demonstrate their falsity
until workable coal shall be found In this portion
of the State; and hence I deem some experi
ments with the diamond-drill a matter of great
importance to the people of tho central portion
of the State, as tho present supply of coal for this
region is either furnished by rail from distant
localities, oris obtained from tho thin seams of
the upper coal-measures at their surface out
crops, affording a coal usually inferior ia quality,
and which can only bo worked at favorable local
ities, by the process of stripping.”
Should the borings above alluded to be onder
token, a careful section of the
through at each locality should b Kreta
and a copy of It hung in the otllcooftbeSeoreta
ry of Bute, where they would an time*
be accessible to those who rojo ll d tho
consult them for information, an
specimens token put .by f t j ie
should be carefully the
strata, and tho depth toetow tl»o smta® tUo
noted, and then they should be pmcea n
State collection of geological refer
they would always be accessible I froia dif
ence, and for comparison with otner
ft-rent locations. T inave the m itter in
With these brief suggestions,! !ea> J fleo to th 6
the hands of those whose duty it is i mtove sta of
development of tho best
our commonwealth. Respectfully
Mr. Sumner*. Bill Space Pay.
,r cumncr introduced in tho Sen-
On Monday. authorize compound in
ate tho following hm w f or legal tender notes:
terrst notes as a* u *Mij That the secretary of the
Skctiox l. *f s'u iieruhy authorized and directed
Treasury he and .J*° flt on compound interest notes,
to prepare for circus utstand QJ? lcffal tender notes
equal In amoiiatio _ qJ the united States, and In all
and fractional curw^> oae heretofore issued under tho
respects Hindiar i ISO3t cn tiUed An act to pro-
SdeSaysS*d :means for the support of tho Govern.
nieut.” rt h f these notes of different denominations
mount of *10,000,000 shall be dated or tue first
of*S!S* month, commencing with the first
day of July next ensuing, when the amount shall ho
ready for Issue, anil then afterwards, on. the first day
of each month, ontU the requisite amount shall be for*
Dished.
£ec*. 3. The notes thus provided flballjbe paid out for
nil disbursements of thoTreasury, except those due
in coin, so lone as they are sufficient for the purpose
and if the whole monthly instalment is not thus dis
posed of, it shall bo the duty of the Secretary of the
Treasury to exchange tlie surplus for the present lo
cal notes, so far as practicable. that the full sum of
ten millions may he pot into circulation each month.
Sec. 4. That it shall bo tlie duty of the Secretary of
the Treasury to cause the destruction of legal tend
ers, each month, to an extent equal to the notes issued
under this act.
SEC. 5. That the notes Issued under this act shall, at
the option of the holder, be convertible at the end of
two vears in sums of SIOO or its multiple into bonds of
the ‘Unite.l States, not having less than 10 nor more
1 han 40 years to run. and bearing interest at tho rato
of 5 per cent, and tie Secretary of the Treasury la
hereby authorized to issue such bonds.
Sec. 6. That whenever these notes and the bonds
into which they may bo converted, cm be sold at par
In gold, the Secretary of the Treasury may sell them
in such sums as may be called for, and apply the pro.
reeds ia gold to cancel legal tender notes as they are
paid Into the Treasury.
sec. 7. That the notes issued under this act shall
constitute no part of the legal currency reserve re
quired by the National Banks.
Sir. St'MNEit. Compound interest notes have
been already tried, so that their operation is
known. Itis their peculiar quality that at tho
time of issue they enter into tho national currency
and become port of tho active circulation; bat
as the interest accumulates they are gradually
withdrawn, and held as securities so long as there
is little appreciable accumulation of interest.
These notes pass from hand to hand as ordinary
greenbacks; but this ceases with their increase
in value. Now, if these are made a substitute for
greenbacks tlie currency is gradually contracted
accenting to tho laws of trade, untilfit is on
a par with gold, and wo arrive at
payments. Until this is estab
lished the nation is bankrupt, and its outstanding
notes axe no better than failed paper. Beyond
tne stigma Implicated by this condition, there Is
u derangement of affairs and consequent embar
in commercial relations abroad. Our
iI«Ji n i fcl *i. s l out oI sear with the business of the
i at koine a vicious speculation runs
1 “as been allowed to go on too loug.
inning the war it could not have been prevented,
hut it should have ceased with tho war. Tho
suspension of specie payments was a war
measure like the suspension of the habeas cor/m.»
and tho draft, and like* those it should
have discontinued at once. So long
us it is allowed to prevail we have a war measure
projected into a period of peace, and as such it is
out of place ami out of season. I nm not insen
sible to the credit obtained by a swift payment of
tbo national debt, bat this is superficial only. It
docs not enable us to refund our debt without ex
traordinary and abnormal effort. Let there bo
specie payments and the debt will refund itself.
Tho payment of the national debt is a feather in
our cap, but instead of taxing tho pooplo for tho
sake of this feather, I would reduce taxes and ap
ply the irresistible energies of tlie government to
make paper equal to coin. Here is another equal
ity before the law which I would establish.
RATLBOADS.
A surveying party has just completed the pre
liminary survey of a railroad lino from St. Cloud,
by the way of Litchfield, to St. Peter, where it is
to connect with the'Winona &St Peter Railroad,
—The Fort Scott (Kan.) Monitor says: “Wo
learn from Colonel Shepard, of Ottawa, who has
just returned from Now York, that arrangements
have been made with one of the strongest houses
in New York for the negotiation of the first mort
gage bonds of the Fort Scott,Humboldt& West
ern Railroad; and that his brother, the contract
or, was about closing the contract for the pur
chase of the iron when he left.”
—The sales of Burlington Missouri River
Railroad lands in lowa during tho month of No
vember, were 2,227.48 acres, at an average prico
of $13.38 3-10 per acre, amounting tb $29,810.30.
—Tho Vermont Massachusetts Railroad has
reduced its passenger tarlit from 4 cents per mile
to 31-2 for local rates, and to 3 cents for through
rates to Boston.
—At a meeting of tho Directors of tho Lake
Superior Mississippi Railroad, in St. Paul, on
the 28th nit., Charles Elliott Durness was pro
moted from the office of Secretary and Treasurer
of that road to that of Vico President, and Mr.
Thomas M. Davis was elected to fill the offices
thus vacated by Mr. Furness.
—Tho Qnmcy, Alton St. Louis Railroad is
nearly completed to East Louisiana, and will ho
in operation to that point this week.
—The Louisville, New Albany St, Louis Rail
road was completed to Mt. Carmel, UL, Nov. 27,
and tracklaying between that town and Albion
is progressing rapidly. It is thought that tho
latter place will bo reachodby Jan. 1.
—Tho New London Northern Railroad has been
leased by the Vermont Central Railroad for twen
ty years, tho latter paying 10per cent per annum
on the capital stock of the former. The road
under lease extends from New London, Conn., to
Grout’s Comers, Mass., a distance of 100 miles.
—A railroad from 'Warren, Trumbull County,
0., to Sharon, Fa., is talked of.
—At the annual meeting of tho Baltimore
Ohio Railroad Company, the report presented
showed that the revenues of the road and its
branches for the fiscal year were $12,557,529.42
being an increse over tho previous year of $1,717,-
138.94.
—Tho work on tho Milwaukee Northern Rail
road, between Cedarburg and Plymouth (Minn),
is progressing rapidly. The company have
struck two subterranean lakes, one in Saukville,
and the other in tho tamarack swamp crossed
by the road in tno town of Fredonia. In the
latter a portion of the grading suddenly dis
appeared from view, sinking to a depth of
twenty-nine feet. These “sinks” have been re
filled and tho grading brought up to its former
level,so that no delay will be experienced through,
these unexpected breaks in the line.
—The Omaha Northwestern Railroad will bo
extended to a point opposite Sioux City within a
year.
—The Prophetatown Railroad -will be completed
to Clinton January 1, -which will give that place
another outlet to Chicago over the C., B. &Q.
line.
DRESSED HOGS:
Dressed Hogs.
As the season has now opened,
and the market is fairly estab
lished for Dressed Hogs, we invite
onr former shippers and the trade
to send ns their consignments.
All the regular facilities extend
ed. Advances made on ship
ments. Benefit ot over ten years’
active experience here and per
sonal attention to sale and deliv
ery given to consignments made
to ns.
POPE DAVIS,
43 W. Washington-st., Chicago.
W. J. POPE. R- L. DAVIS.
OVERCORTS.
MABIEY HDLL
As a sample of our
prices, we invite the at
tention of the public to
our $7.00 Bur Beaver
Reefing Coats. Bor the
benefit of those in a hur
ry we have hung a few
outside to-day.
122 W. Washington-st.
INSURANCE.
The Great Western
FIRE INSURANCE CO.
nP fjiat has stood the test of
Tlic only h«™o comp- ny t ever known.
the CTeatest id m t]|o <lollart has eatab
and pays one
lisht-d a branch ogee a^ £RMAN wUI b0 happy to
go, where lim j a te all who may want re
write policies and of losses for any
liable insurance. Also iu-ulpi
one wishing them.
•LAMAR, OF CHICAGO.
ft.mish to policy-holders the names of ro
''e and whereabouts of the cash
socMim c]ahnH corrected,
assets of q l BALL, 3 West Madison-st.
STATE 11 HAREM CITY.
policies wanted for cash. Highest price paid.
SHXJFELDT BALL.
21 West aiadlson-st.
pacific, oi m mm.
We can collect to advantage 1-30,000 to SIOO,OOO of
claims on this company.
SHUFEI.DT BALL. 23 West Sladison-at.
HOTELS,
CENTRAL HOUSE
Has resumed business In the new Brick Ho
tel, corner Hoisted and Tyler-sts.
class accommodations for 75 snests an
boarders. Bonse and furniture new an
elegant. Terms, $2.50 per day.
g P mf.r. proprietor.
BUSINESS CARDS:
Wm. H. Sampson (to,
Beal Estate and House
couoctoa. 35«rt«awta
Houses rented and rents v
ougUt and sold.