4 Chicago Verms ol Subscription, TAT ABLE DC ADVANCE DM2S Edition, per year, by mail Tri-ireekly Edition, per year, by mail 6.00 Tin day Edition, per jeai, by slail 2.50 Weekly Edition, per year, by MAIL 2.M Parts ol a years; the same rate. To prevent delay and mistakes, be enre and give Post CISco addrsss In lull, including State and county. Bemlttacces may bo made either by draft, express, Post Office order, or In registered letters, at onr risk. TEEMS TO CITY BUhSCRIBESS Dally, delivered, Sunday excepted, 25 cents per week- D&Uy, delivered, Sunday included, 30 cents per week. Address TEE TRIBUTE COMPANY, No. 15 Canal-si., Chicago, HI. SATURDAY, DECEMBER ID. 1871. To €ouniry DcnUrw. The Tnir.L'NE is furnished to country dealei* ;it!lio rate of $3.13 [ter too, express postage additional, payable in advance, prepared to fill orders promptly- TiJIIJI-NK COMPAM. AN ALDEEKANTC CLEARING-HOUSE. Wliea the investigation comes on, and When a sharp-scented committee, or grand iiirv shall get after the money extorted by the knaves iu the Common Council from can didates and citizens, it is most likely that they will come upon a new kind of clearing house. where money is received, balances struck, certificates issued, accounts kept, checks paid, interest allowed, etc., etc., all in consideration of notes given iu the aforesaid Common Council. It is believed by the best-informed citizens who have hud occasion to approach the Com mon Council for any purpose during the past vt-ar or two. that one of the Aldermen is an •izent. stockholder, or officer of some kind o{ a bank and that, when any one of the King makes a contract for the passage of an ordinance appropriating money, or for the personal benefit of anybody, tho person to he benefited is required to deposit a sum jicrecd upon, in this bank, to the creditor ihv Alderman. The bank has ihe nse of tho monev virile the ordinance is pending. Mmulilthc ordinance be passed, the money belongs to the Alderman to whose credit it is deposited, aud the bank distributes it among those by whose votes the order was passed. This, however, does not prevent tho payment of money directly to particular Aldermen. Each one has the right to make :dl he can. 'When the sum is large, say where the total proceeds are $20,0000r500,000, that sum is added to the appropriation. To illustrate: If A wants to sell a lot to the city, for which he is willing to take §30,000, he is required to make his bid SOO,OOO, or sur>.nud. or $40,000, and place in the hands of a selected Alderman an assignment of so much thereof as the Ring shall demand. In nil oilers to sell land to the city, a large Mini, iu addition to the real price, is included, which is to be distributed among 2 he Aldermen voting therefor. We under stand there are plenty of citizens who can testify to having made honest bids, ignorant of this Aldermanic regulation, which were, therefore, rejected. We invite attention to two short articles inthismornings Tribune, copied from the Sfaals-Ztiiuvy, in which di rect interrogatories are propounded to two well-known citizens upon points covered by what we have written and the answers to these questions will be looked for with in terest. The operations of the Ring have not been confined to levies upon those asking Alder manic favors. When individuals or corpora lions having interests more or less dependent upon city legislation fail to furnish a regular stipend for peace, some Alderman has been delegated to propose a hostile ordinance. Thus armed, the knife has been held over the victim, and a deposit in the bank demanded as an ex emption. We have heard it stated that, be tween July and November of 1871, as much as $30,000 was paid by one corporation in this city for the defeat of a proposed ordinance. This sum was paid, so runs the story, two thirds to the Common Council and one-third to outside partners. Whatever truth there I,e in this report can be ascertained better by a grand jury than by any committee of tbe Council. These infamous transactions will serve to answer the question why the dead-beats who so often get to tho Board of Aldei men seek an office of great trouble, to which no compensation is attached. It serves to explain, also, the frantic, efiorts made by the dishonest Aldermen whose terms expired in November to be re-elected, aud their previ ous efibrt to get possession of tho Relief Fund. If they had succeeded in the latter attempt, there would have been several divi dends declared at the Aldermanic clearing house. Tho necessity for the reform move ment is now plain. The fact that some of the persons elected as reformers have proven frauds shows only that the work of reform must he continued. So great, however, is the present danger to the city that the board must be purified at once. Every man now a member of the board, and every city officer, of whatever grade, who demanded or accepted any consideration for an official act, must he expelled from office at all hazards. Parties arc so equally divided iu the Council, aud so many of its members are themselves guilty, that it is not likely they will expel each other. The law requires a vote of two-thirds of all the Aldermen elected to expel a mem ber. The expulsion of any one of them will require the concurrence of u large number of these equally guilty. The courts are the proper places for the in- vistigatiou of the performances of these m onndrels, Every man in the Council who has participated in these proceedings ought io he brought to the criminal bar hy indict ment. The effect of the conviction of nine teen or twenty Aldermen for bribery will bo felt in Chicago for half a cent my. THE CONGRESSIONAL APPORTIONMENT. The House of Representatives have agreed to a scheme of Congressional apportionment hy winch the whole number of Representa tives is increased to ikv). The present num ber is 241, with two additional members for Nevada and Nebraska admitted since I SCO. There were several schemes before Congress, •which we reproduce: •%Vh(.:enmnber.2H 250 25) 27) 2'o 2» 253 GO 7 _ .Arkansas 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 California...... 4 444 4 444 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 Jjrlawarc 1 1 1 1 1 1 l 1 3-luitla I 1 1 1 I 1 I 1 «-toiaia 7 8 S S i) *J a a .Jtf 37 37 IS i:» 39 20 39 .10 ii u 12 12 i:i u r> .7 S 3 s y y m lia’.lami Ji-ua... :i 3 K«atucfcv 3 M 9 U 10 10 10 10 la-tis>iaua 4 5 5 5 o S 0 5 4 4 -1 5 5 5 fl Maryland, S. 30 30 30 31 31 31 11 SlUUyini 7 S 8 8 S p tf iimneisufa. ?li?M»im W 31 12 12 VI 13 14 i: Ivtrl.ntsba 1 I I I X I 1 1 y C v«clP 1111113 1 f>'. a G G 7 7 7 7 Ytilk’. ‘-7 20 30 21 M 33 33 32 y.canbua —8 7 7 s h s s s i i i i i. i i i rcwi--ylv;»ljia~l2 23 21 Cj 20 27 US 20 Itdi-ud.. 1 1 1 r Oirlilia.... 4 5 5 o- 'i vui; v, ce 7 8 y O O 30 10 o ~v- 5 S c fi o o 2 2 2 s .1 a vlfi’-i.w 7 a a s 9 w 9 Svifi 2525552 C ,Sboo» This will increase the number of Presiden tial Electors in 1872 to 057, making votes necessary* to a election. Neither Delaware, Nevada, Oregon, nor Nebraska has a popula tion entitling her to a Representative; but, under the constitution, each must have at least one member. The whole representa tive population is 88,113,253, giving the ratio of 188,000, with additional members for the larger fractions, to make up the whole number of 253. The losses and gains compared with the present lepresentation arc as follows; Gains—Ala bama. 1 Arkansas, 1; California, 1: Georgia, 2; Illinois, 5; Indiana,!; lowa, 8; Kansas, Kentucky, l; Maryland, Massachusetts, 1 Michigan, 3; Minnesota, 2; Mississippi, 2; Missouri, 4: New Jersey, 2; New York, 1; North Carolina, 1 Ohio, 1; Pennsylvania, 2; South Carolina,!; Tennessee,!; Texas,2; Virginia, 1; Wisconsin, 2. Losses—New Hampshire, 1: Vermont, 1. The New York TWfnmc’, in a brief anl com plimentary n °ti cc of the present conditi\no£ the Chicago newspapers, says that The G u fAf.o TninrNE, “which was tho heavier buiVcrer, cannot resume for some time in its usual style, though it now prints a sheet vhich in any other city than Chicago wooid he considered in every way satisfactory.” It is true that the disabling of our printing machinery prevents 11s from issninga sheet in exactly the same shape as before the tire, hut we are publishing 25 per cent more matter than before, as any of our subscribers who have preserved their old numbers can ascer tain by measurement. r 12.00 tttr FDSm MAN OF THE SENATE. Mr. Is ye, tlio funny man of tlio United States Senate,has raised the usual cry ag linsfc the motives of those who have proposed an investigation «f the alleged abuses of the civif service. He says the scheme of civil sendee reform has been devised because “the President is becoming too popular.” This a verj’ profound remark. It is dayvll ish sly,” like the strategy of old Joey Dag stock, or that of Mr. Xyc’s celebrated uamc s-akc, in that historical game of euchre with the Heathen Chinee, when the feelings of the narratorwero siiocked At the state of Nye’s sleeve, Which were stalled full of aces aud bowers, Ana Hie same with intent to deceive. Nevertheless, Mr. Nye {we here refer to the Nevada Nye), being, as we have said, a funnyman, and not a strategist by nature, could not maintain his attitude of virtuous indignation throughout his speech. Accord ingly, wo find him confessing presently that it depends altogether upon who is the sub ject of investigation, whether or not Nj r e is in favor of such proceedings. If the Inrosti gatee is Nye, or any of Nye’s friends, the in vestigation is all wrong. If he is on the other side, Mr. Nye is decidedly in favor of the most searching investigation, oven to the seizing of telegrams for the purpose of dragging the private affairs of Senators before the public. Iu short, Sir. Nye (aud we here refer to either James or William) docs not object to occult aces aad bowers in his own sleeve, but will incontinently “go for” any Heathen Chinee who makes too largo a displaj* of win ning cards. It was no tricky Chinaman, however, that Mr. Nye and his partners encountered in tho Senate on Thursday. First among them were two Senators more devoted to Repub lican principles, let it ho remarked, than any number of Nyes, who had sat upon the Com mittee of Retrenchment aud heard the testimony about the New York and San Francisco Custom Houses. The facts with which they x>ut Nye aud Morton down were not from the sleeve, hut from the open hand. Mr. Schurz, treating with the contempt which they deserved tho veteran Joe Millers of Nye’s comic almanac, passed to answer the quibble of Coukling, that these matters had all been investigated once, and that it was not neces sary to repea tit. “This committee,” said Schurz, who was a member of it, “did, un doubtedly, believe that the case was closed, for it had reason to believe that, when such scandals as it exposed were laid bare, tho ad ministration would jump at the chance to put an end to the disgrace but it turns out that they were vastly mistaken, for the same scandalous system of robbery exists down to this day, in spite of the exposures made I)3’ the committee.” Senator Schurz continued: The Senator asked also why we have propos ed no legislation to remove these abuses. Be cause no legislation was necessary. Tho abuses ■were created by executive action iu the adminis tration of the Custom House, and they could bo done away with by executive action. The Senator objected to what I said of tho power which sus tains this system. I did say (having laid the evidence before the Senate) that when the most respectable merchants of New York hud protest ed against this system of robbery; when tho Sec retary of the Treasury had time and a train pro nounced against it; when the CommltnTc on Re trenchment had pronounced against it, aud when it is still sustained and kepi alive down to this very day—l did say, in viewof this evidence, that there must be some mysterious power sustaining that system stronger than a decent regard for public opinion, aud stronger than the Secretary of the Treasury himself. Mr. Patterson here interposed to make an explanation, and, in reply to tlie remark by Mr. Trumbull, said: Ido enytliat there ■were inspectors in the Cus tom House in Is'evr York who stated before the committee under oath that in violation of their official oaths, and in violation of the lavra of the land, they had taken bribes, and that they took bribes every time they discharged a vessel, and 1 say further that the agents of the steamship companies told that they could not get their ves sels discharged without bribing tho ollleials. Sir. Sumner. I should like to know whether these men are continued in office f Mr. Patterson. 1 have no knoictedye of their ever hating been retnond. Thus the administration, or, if you please, the Republican party, is convicted of having connived at flagrant corruption in tho civil service, even at a lime when the people have, in the recent elections, declared with unprecedented vehemence their disapproval of such transactions: and the more the rottenness of existing management be comes apparent, the more violent do Morton and Sherman become against invest i gation, and the more vociferously do their echoes in tho Senate shout, “Sorehead! Sore head! It is proven that the Federal patron age has becn put forth to enforce party tyran ny in Nebraska, and keep a scoundrelly Gover nor (afterward impeached and removed) in oflice there, in spite of the wishes of the peo ple of that State, and Nyo cries out, Envy Jealousy! You want to be greater than your master.” It is made evident that the corrup tion which had gathered under Andy John son’s administration in the States, continues to a greater or less extent at the present time, and Morton exclaims, with his hand on his breast. “We have tho best civil service in the world; but yon mustn't im-csliyatv it.” No wonder, when the game of hid ing knaves in Senatorial sleeves has reached this stage, that men who have not allowed their sense of honor to bo blunted by overmuch participation in caucus-room chicanery, revolt at the crack of tho whip of discipline over their heads, and that all the Senators of the three great States of Illinois, Missouri, and Massachusetts, with others from Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, and Nebraska, are found recording their votes in protest against the “cut-throat” game. No wonder that even such a cool and ordinarily impassive man as Senator Trumbull is heard replying warmly to tho utterance of Morton, “Well, if (hero is anywhere in the world a worse civil service than that of tho United States, 1 pray God to deliver that people from it!” And the Republican party—meaning the masses who constitute lr, and not tho politi cal merchants who have somehow got control of the Senate—will answer, “Amen! And deliver us, also, from tho odium of tol erating such corruption.’” To which end the party must be delivered from ibe leader ship of the Mortons and Nycs who would cover up such corruption, instead of expos ing and curing it. s s THE PRICE OF SHEET-IBON. A Philadelphia philosopher has published a book upon the subject of sheet-iron, in which he demonstrates how near our law ccmcstothat of the Chinese, which limits taxation to that sum which a man will pay in preference to having his throat cut. From this book wo learn that the two countries in which sheet-iron is manufactured with the greatest success are Russia and the United States. The Russian article is remarkable for its smooth, glossy surface, which is dark metallic gray, and not bluish gray like the common article. It is produced from com mon sheet-iron, which in turn is produced from malleable iron obtained either by pad dling or by a process called in Russia the kisbni. Eighty sheets are wetted with abrush and dusted over with powdered charcoal; these are piled together, and for three hours subjected to red heat. They are then pounded with a hammer weighing a ton. This process of anuealling and hammering is repeated until the peculiar article is produc ed. Next to Russia, tho article is most ex tensively produced in Pennsylvania, and from Pennsylvania iron. So much superior is this American sheet-iron to that produced in England, that but little of the latter is imported. The requisites are charcoal, clear iron, a high oven, .well-polished rollers, and strong power. Tho machinery is nearly the same as that of an ordinary rolling mill, per haps stronger in some particulars. It is not pretended, however, that we produce any iron in this country equal to that made in Russia. The great bulk of tho article used in the United States, bought and sold as Rus sia iron, is made in Pennsylvania. This fact is referred to by tho Philadel phia writer as exhibiting the wis dom of tho protective policy which compels the American people to pay more for an inferior article than they could get the real goods for in the absence of tho tariff. Tho duty on Russia iron is 3 cents per pound, or $07.20 per ton in gold, equal to ts7B.Win currency. Let the American con a y THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE; SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1871. snmers of smooth and polished sheet-iron, sold under the general name of Russia, iron, multiply the number of tons consumed in this country annually by 74, and that will give the amount in dollars of the tax paid by the people upon that ouo article. This tax practically excludes the real Russia iron from this country, though it does not exclude alto gether an inferior article made in England. The entire duties received by the United States, in 1870, for all grades of polished sheet-iron, amounted to $137,000, which was collected from less than 2,100 tons. That ii all tne foreign article that is imported, and hears but a small proportion to the amount consumed in the United States annually. Having thus practically excluded the genu ine article, and getting full prices for the in ferior home-made iron, there is no wonder that the ironmongers of Pennsylvania think there is nothing like protection. GEOEGE FEANCIS TEAIN AND THE O’LEAEY COW. Some highly-excited individual in Chica go has been writing a letter to the Cincin nati Herald and Presbyter, depriving Mrs O’Leary’s cow of her incendiary fame, and crediting our recent lire to the Communists and George Francis Train. Ho rehashes the old story that G. F. T. predicted tho fate of Chicago twenty-four hours before tho lire, at a Farwell Hall lecture, and is loud in his demands for tho apprehension of that gentle lunatic, aud for squeezing what knowledge he has about tho lire out of him. To all of which wo object, for two reasons: In tho lirst place, while wo would not strip Mr. Train of any of his laurels,—for we all well know that ho is tho founder of tho In ternationale; that he fought bravely at tho head of the Communists against Mr. Thiers; that he settled tho little scandal between Lucca and Bismarck; that ho brought on the present typhoidal crisis of Albert Edward; that ho is the lineal succes sor of Brian Born, King of all tho Irelands; that ho is tho nest President of these United States; aud that some angel, dragging him through space like Habakkuk.has given him glimpses of what has boon, is, aud is to be,— while wo would not do anything to wound tho sensitive nature of Mr. Train, it is but justice to him to place him right before the public, and to deprive his enemies of tho use of such a damaging statement when ho en ters upon tho active canvass for tho Presi dency against Daniel Pratt aud Hor ace Greeley. Fortunateb' for us, Mr. Train has placed himself right upon tho destruction of Chicago. It was not a vision of lire that he saw hut with him, as with Ophelia, it was too much water. Mindful of tho peculiar needs of Cincinnati, ho deliver ed a lecture in that city, last Sunday even ing, on the Bible, in which he stated that he confidently expected tho destruction of Chicago would have happened by water. Ho brought his theory to a practical demonstra t ion with a piece of chalk and a black-board, to the universal satisfaction of all Cincinna tians present, and conclusively proved that if wo hadn’t been burned up we should all have drowned. The pith of his theory was that if all tho glaciers in the American Arctic regions should sud denly melt, aud, running down through British America in one tumultuous whole, empty themselves into Lake Superi or, which is forty feet higher than Chicago, they would, of course, slop over into Lake Michigan, aud Lake Michigan would slop over into Chicago, aud drown all of us who couldn’t swim, except tho wan iu the crib, and with no Noah’s Ark handy to pick op salvage. This, of course, settles tho question that George Francis Train is not a lire-hug, but a watcr-bng, with malicious intent against Agassiz’s glacial theories, belemnilic squids and all: a prophet bidding the waters of the lake to swallow ns up, horses, chariots, aud riders. If he is to bo apprehended aud examined at all, we shall insist upon it that he shows why he did not cany out his glacial theory, ex post/ado, by fetching on his water and putting out the tire. In tho second place, we ate not disposed so easily to give up Mrs. O’Leary aud her cow; neither the green country-cousin who had just arrived fresh from the ould sod nor the onc-cycd fiddler mounted on the barrel, who discoursed so ravishingly on the rosined string, what limo the guests tripped tho light fantastic, ami one, more wisely than well, slipped away frem tho dazed throng, aud, with kerosene lamp iu hand, glided, like a conscience-haunted thing, into tho O’Leary stable, to procure illicit milk for punch, without which they must all go home before morning. AVc cannot overlook the heroic conduct of this cow, who, when she felt the furtive foreign linger upon the re luctant teat, aud knew it was not tho shapely white Unger of the gentle O’Leary milkmaid, rather than yield one drop to tho spoiler, careless of all hut her own honor, in one great burst of indignant passion, with wrath in her eyes and power in her hind foot, kicked over the lamp and fired tho Ephesian dome, ns one or two of our incendiary poets have remarked since the fire. Let Train have his glacial theory, but give us our bovine reality. Like all that Chicago does, our tire was iu tho ser vice of strict justice aud unblemished honor. It was an eloquent, though expensive, pro test against larceny. Hat jnstitia cednm nml! Even our cows refuse to give down when it involves suspicion. We shall al ways cherish the memories of tho reception of that green country-cousin, that sound of revelry by night, the fair women and bravo men iu the dazzling hails of tho O’Leary, and the voluptuous swell of the music, for the sake of the cow who, rather than yield her own treasures iu the cause of dishonesty, deliberately destroyed the treasures of Chicago. THE JANESVILLE FIREMEN. To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune: Bin: In an article printed in your Sunday edition, November i'.>, the following language, referring to the firemen of Janesville, is used; “While the Janesville contribution cost him $125. This he managed with true business sag acity. The men agreed to work for SIOO, and ho secured their services. They cot drunk and re fused to work. He accordingly made them di tinker, so that they could not move their machine,** Ac.. &c. Asa former resident of tho city of Janesville, and for a few months only a citizen of Chicago. I wish to say that, while tho lliemen of Janesville accepted SIOO as u gift from seme generous citizen whose property fortunate ly they saved, no pre-arrangement had been made, and the statement and" reasons given by vou for this gift are entirely untrue. As to the charge of drunkenness, the Janesville" Gaicttc pronounces it utterly false. From my long acquaintance with the tlrcmcn who came down with tho steamer, and tho gen tlemen ’Who accompanied them, I do not hesitate io say that the charge is mitrno in every particu lar, and does tho lire Department dluatcity gieat injustice. As you have made ample apology for the at tack, in the same article, on the Milwaukee. Wifi., ami Aurora, 111., firemen. I ask, in justice to the citizens of Janesville, that you cither verify tho truth of the article in question, or make tho prop er retraction in the case, as you already have done ns regards Milwaukee and Aurora. Kespect fullv, it. 33. Tueat, CO West Madison street. Chicago, Dec. H. Remarks.—lf tho Janesville iiremeu ac cepted SIOO as a present from a citizen, for services rendered, there was AO harm done to anybody. If they had required the pay ment of that or any other sum before they would work (as, in fact, they did not), it would have been a matter for the city au thorities of Janesville, and not for anybody in Chicago, to call them to account for. It is for this reason, among others, that we re gret the unauthorized publication of tho ar ticle referred to in our issue of November IP. The reason why wo have not sooner with drawn or retracted tbc charges concerning tho Janesville firemen was that, we hadbeen informed by persons who came hero from other cities to investigate the behavior of firemen, that the Janesville firemen, or some of them, were drunk on that occasion. Wo are now satistied that they had taken noth ing stronger Thau ale,—that tieing about the only fluid obtainable,—and that they were at no time in a condition when they could not. and did not, render efficient and valuable ser vice. Mr. McAvoy, President of the Board of Aldermen, was elected to tho Council by tho almost unanimous veto of his ward, upon his supposed fidelity to the Fire-Proof ticket, and strengthened by his previous honorable record. Ho was choseu President by tbo corruptionists, but the pains he has taken to exclude that shameless faction from the control of the money-ex pending committees must, in tho absence of anything to tho contrary, bo accepted as evidence that he is not an accomplice iu blackmailing. It remains to be seen what kind of a committee Mr. McAvoy will appoint to investigate the charges ©f bribery and blackmailing. If ko gives the blackmailers and corruptionists control of tho committee, the public will conclude that he is one of them himself, and that his previous good record has been a sham and a blind to deceive the people. No honest man need ho afraid of tho truth. Any member of tho Council who opposes in vestigation will be immediately spotted as a blackmailorand corruptionist. Anymembor of the investigating committee who seeks to obstruct the investigation will thereby ad vertise himself a partner in tho frauds and a stockholder iu the Aldermanic clearing house. The committee of the Legislature having •in charge tho subject of tho burnt records of Chicago, of which Mr, King is Chair man, is now in session at the Tromont House in this city, They have come to learn, so far as is practicable, what is need ed, aud will gladly hear whatever sugges tions any person may have concerning the matter. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY*. Effect of the Destruction of Eoreste— Wines-Striking Out of the Entire Frnit- Ei»t— XiCCtnrc by Professor Turner—Re ports from Various Districts—Fear Blight—Cherries—Vegetable Physiology —Economic Entomology—Agricultural and Horticultural Education. From Our Special Correspondent. Jacksonville, 111., Doc. 12. DESTRUCTION OF FORESTS. This afternoon Mr. Periam read an elabor ate paper, proceeding to show, by well-ma tured facts and figures, tho effect on tho climate and loss to the country by the whole sale destruction of our northern forests. Although millions of trees are being planted, not oue-liftcenth part enough to supply tho place of those destroyed are being set out. The railroads across our continent, having consumed millions of trees for tics, are now turning their attention to replacing some of tho trees destroyed; and, if tho proper men are selected to take charge of tho work, it will be a success. WINK The wine question was stirred up by a resolut ion to appoint o committee on wines on exhibition; for which a substitute was offered, “That wine is not a horticultural product,” which was carried by tho casting vote of the President. STRIKING OUT THE FRUIT-LIST. New varieties of fruit were somewhat talked about, and, on tho question of recom mending varieties, tho entire fruit-list was stricken out, so that there is now nothing to recommend a variety except individual men tion. This is as it should he, frmt-lists having long been considered a humbug by all intelli gent horticulturists. WINK AGAIN, Tho resolution regarding wine wasstrickcu out of the records, aud the subject left where it was. REPORT FROM THE FISRT DISTRICT. Mr. Robert Douglass, of Waukegan, read a report from the First District. LECTURE RY PROFESSOR TURNER. Professor Turner, of this place, then deliv ered a lecture on tho Forces that Promote Plant-Growth." Those who know tho amount of thought and study that Professor Turner gives to any subject which ho undertakes to handle will readily understand that the lec ture was an exhaustive one; aud that it was appreciated by the audience was attested by the applause with which it was frequently interrupted. It will be published in full in the society’s report. AIR-PLANTS. An interesting discussion to scientists, as to how air-plants derive their mineral sub stances, took place; but no one knows as yet, positively, how it is done. Jacksonville, 111., Dec. 13. REPORT FROM THE THIRD DISTRICT. Dr. Humphrey, of Galesburg, read the re port from the Third District, giving an ex tended account of some experiments m grape growing iu his district, which were, iu a ma jority of cases, successful. GRAPE:*. Some discussion followed on varieties of grapes; hut, as it will probably ho repeated when the grape question corns up, I omit it. REPORT FROM THE FIRST DISTRICT. The report of tho Vico President for the First District was road, as follows; Mu. President; Tlio year 18711 ms been one of varied interest to the horticulturist, whether in the garden, the orchard, or the floral department. We firo beginning to realize tho great climatic change that culture is sure to bring to all coun tries on their liist settlement by civilized msn. The cutting down of the river-fringes of for ests, the clearing up of groves, tho disrobing or the wood-crowned hills, the draining of sloughs, aud tho exposing of the whole surface to the direct rays of tho sun, all conspire to change tho meteorological condition of the country, exposing us to sudden changes of lieat and of cold, of long continued drought, or of drenching rams. Then, again, certain insects follow In the path of tho cultivator, aud contest with him for the products t f bis toilsome labor. All these peculiar conditions that bring tho changes that follow one after another compel us to stand guard, from year to year and to come to gether, that wo may make a united effort and combine-our knowledge for the events that tho seatons to come may place in our pathway. The northern part or the Grand Prairie Dis trict has bad something like timely rainfalls, aud the farm crops have been uniformly good. The same good fortune has been extended to the or chard aud tho garden; but tho orchards are not largo, and little has been dune to prepare for a market. Tbe result is that ihe bountiful apple crop of that part of tho district has nut been fully utilized, aud near ly one-half of it has been lost, formingthe waste of the orchard.” The making of cider and clder vinegar should receive more attention in the fu ture, us those can bo made a protiublo feature In the economy of the apple crop. IKJaOATIO.V, I would also call tbe attention of members of the society, who reside iu the district of flowing wells, to the subject of applying the surplus water to the purpose of irrigation for the small fruits aud for garden vegetables. The long-continued droughts to which we arc now liable make this element of horticulture well worthy of our atten tion. From What I saw of this application of rivers, springs, and wells to tho growth of farm-crops in the great trans-Missouri coun try, it has occurred to me that wc might, to somo extent, avail ourselves of this agent to ward oil the bud effects of the long summer droughts. I would, therefore, suggest that a committee of three or more be appointed to more fully investi gate this subject. THE STRAWBERRY CHOI’ In the south half of the district, tho orchard crop has oeeu light, while the garden-vegetables are nearly a failure. At Champaign aud Mat toon, I observed a Held each of the Wilson straw berry that wen* satisfactory. These were In tho second year after planting had been thoroughly cultivated, aud mulched with straw and had escaped the ravages of the white grub. THE LEAV-OUGHT. The leaf-blight on the pear tree has continued its mysterious progress or injury, and the grow ers or this fruit are greatly uiscouragod. The Bartlett and Belle Lucrative appear, thus far, to bo the most reliable. STATUS or HORTICULTURE. The drawbacks and discouragements in horti culture arc no greater than in mixed husbandry; but it will not bear so much neglect, as there is a greater need of constant attention, especially with many garden-vegetables, to bring taom up to the market standard. Fruit-'cuuuro has become a part of our rural occupa tion iu all this district, uot only for our local demands, but for distant markets.’Near our village, parties are engaged in horticulture, with highly encouraging prospects. These de pend mainly on nmrkot-gardcnlug, and the small fruits, including the cultivation of ilia May cher ry, but the greater number make it an adjunct oi the farm. The experimental orchards of the Industrial University have made a good growth, and Mr. Vithroy, the orchardist, has proved liitosclf a good cultivator; but I am unable to see any good results from other horticultural operations of this institution thus fur, nor can it be expected until Us of rural economy are placed in the hands of practical men. For these reasons, this society should not relax any efforts in the Helds of its legitimate investigation and pro gress. FLORICULTURE. Floriculture is making steady progress, and, as peimsment homes are more and more In demand, we sec a change from the gaudy annuals to the shrubs and perennials that add to the dignity and permanency of the homestead. As we give more attention to the shelter of our lawns, wo find that many plants that have been rejected for want of hardiness, are becoming favorites. With evergreens, Mowing shrubs, roses, and perennials in a more abundant supply, aided by such a rare show of bedding plants as our greenhouses now pit sent, no farmer can afford to do without a well-planted and wcll-cared-for I awn,—an ap pendage so essential to his home. JfBW I’LANTS. The past year Ims shown a fcarfnl falling off in tbo list ot worthless novelties, and a great cutting down of varieties of orchard fruits. People begin to see that novelties only prove prolliable to the plant-dealer, and arc dis posed to neglect them. The list of new straw berries, new grapes, now blackberries, new cur rants and new riispberries, is insignificant; oven the sharp practice of renaming and sending out old varieties, appears to have culminated with the Mexican ever-bearing strawberry, aud the mammoth cluster raspberry. Taking this district as a whole, we have many reasons for thankfulness to Him who pencils the flowers and makes the orchard bend with luscious fruit. Respectfully, M. L. DnstAP. itooT-rnrKiNG. The report on small fruits by the commit tee was very interesting, and developed the fact that root-pruning liad, in at least one case, proved a preventive of and so increased the fruitfulness and health of all trees that the experimenter was ready to recommend its adoption to corn-culture: in his own case, the increase in the yield of corn so treated being one*third. IIEP RASPBERRY A rod raspberry was mentioned ns doing remarkably well at Cobden: but, its name being in doubt, I will omit it until settled. I’EARS. An underdrained pear-orchard near Cen trnliahad plenty of blight in it,—therefore dispelling tho idea that underdrainiug alone would prevent the destruction of our pear With regard to tho culture of pear trees, Mr. Earle, who, perhaps, has as much or more experience and observation than any other pear-grower in Illinois, said that he prefers to seed his orchard to clover, allow ing it to rot on the surface. Ho is of tho opinion that, while it may not bo a cure for leaf-blight, it may act as a preventive, by inducing that state of healthy growth which cannot be long continued if tho soil is cul tivated, or wholly neglected. Root-pruning, so often spoken of in those columns, is per- haps the only remedy for blight yet discov ered at least, no well-attested case is os yet reported, where the work had been don© ac cording to the directions, whore it had failed. It is certainly to be hoped that this experiment, if it is yet one, may be more widely and thoroughly tested. CHERRIES. Dr. Hull, of Alton, read an essay on tho cultivation of the cherry, with which, it must ho confessed, ho has been very success ful, His varieties are all of tho so-called sweet cherries, for trees of which, probably, more mouey has been wasted in the West than for anything else m the tree line. Their worthlessness is so well established that, for prairie planting at least, no man who reads ever plants one; hut Dr. H. made the assertion that, with his system of culture, they might be grown with perfect certainty. This may he true, hut lias not yet been demonstrated. Until this is done, people will, to a largo extent, have to he contented with early Mays or Morellos, of which ten bushels are grown to one quart of tho sweet varieties. VEGETABLE PHTISIOLOGY. Professor McAfee, of Madison, Wis., road an essay on vegetable physiology, taking tho apple for a subject. Tho paper was a bomb-shell to some of the old soldiers of the society. An able discussion took place, bat no one was able to refute the facts as stated by Mr. A. The subject of breeding trees, with cer tain objects in view, has been but little talked about, most of the finer varieties be ing the result of accident rather than of de sign; and tho attention of experimenters will ho called to breeding trees that will bo. first, hardy; second, prolific; third, of good quality. These things follow one another, as a matter of course. ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY The evening session was opened with an essay on Economic Entomology, by tho State Entomologist. Much of the time was devoted to showing tho value of tho study, iu an economic point of view,—a matter that we are willing to admit without argument. AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL EDU- CATION, The Hon. G. W. Minear, of Tazewell Coun to lectured to a large audience upon the introduction of Agricultural and Horticul tural Education in our public schools. Tho gentleman is a splendid speaker, and tho manner of delivering tho lecture was a great improvement on the sing-song drawl of many who have a wide reputation as leaders in this society. The lecturer was very radical in his views with regard to the education needed by tho producing classes, and spoke very slightingly of the clas sical education now aftorded _by our schools, where a largo portion of the time is spent iu learning things that are of no practical use in after-life. Agriculture, learned by studying Cicero, Plato, or Ciesar, is not particularly valuable in this ago. Dr. Gregory, of tho Industrial University, followed the speaker in an able address, say ing that ho agreed with Mr. M. in all that was said, and, iu many things, would go further. Professor Turner said that Dr. Gregory, and those interested with him, wore educating the students at the University m the higher education, to fit them to teach those branches that bad this evening been so ably talked about. A WOMAN’S STORY. A Female, Claiming to be a Tlchborne Wlt ne«M, in Chicago—Narrative of Her Ac quaintance with the Orton Family—A fllyste- rlons Box of mysterious I.cticrs, Etc., Etc. That the now notorious Tlchborne case, which has been agitating tho aristocracy and common alty of Great Britain for some years, could bo brought to a satisfactory issue without once bringing iu mention of Chicago, would seem im possible to the average resident. Tho witnesses already called appear to have come from all quar ters of the globe, and to represent all conditions of men and women. Assuredly one of the strangest specimens of testimony comes from Chicago, in the shape of a woman’s story. How much may ho made of it by either party no human foresight can suppose, especially in the face of the startling develop ments already made. The witness In question is a Scotch woman, aged about 32 years, named Jano Rhind. Her story, as told to a reporter of this paper, yester day, is about as follows: About June, 1867 or 1868,—the month is a cer tainty, the year an uncertainty,—she was living as cook al No. 12 Hyde Park Terraco, Loudon, the town residence of Charles Baring Young, of the world-renowned linn of Baring Bros., hankers. There were living at that time, in the same lordly establishment, one Rawlins, but ler, and one Amy Austin, lady’s maid. Mrs. Rblnd and Amy Austin were great friends, the latter being a young woman of the lady’s-maid tendency, and given to gushing copiously on tri fling emergencies. It is principally on account of her effusive propensities that Mrs. Rhind’s narrative was worth much. The other dramatis personw were Mr. Orton, friend of tho butler Rawilns, and Mrs. Orton, bis wife, and bosom friend of Amy Austin. This happy condition of mutual affection was brought about by their having lived together in the servants’ hall of some establishment m London. On one occasion, Mrs. Orton was visiting Amy, and told her that her brother Roger bad come from Australia. She remembers that circum stance very distinctly, because it is not impor tant, probably. _ On another occasion. Mrs. Orton and Mr. Orton were paying uncxtenslve visit at tho residence of Baring Young, confining themselves principally to the regions devoted to the retinue ot tho estab lishment. Mr. Orton la described ns a very small man, with long fair hair and round shoulders. In honor of tho occasion, Mrs. Rhind gavoagrand tea-party ia the housekeeper’s room. There were present Mr. Rawlins, in full evening cos tume; Mrs. Rhind, Sirs. Orton, Mr. Orton, and tho fair but impulsive and loquacious baud-maiden, Amy. Tho conversation was mainly carried on by Mr. Rawlins, who, In the dignity of a suit of dazzling plush and short knee-breeches, with silver buckles, was Installed as master of tho ceremonies. Sir. Orton was speaking of his relations. Of one relation m par ticular he appeared to think and say a great deal. It was natural that he should, for it was his brother, whom he had not seen for man v years. Ho was at that time in Australia, where he had raised money, and was looking to a speedy return to England and the luxuries of opulence in tho great metropolis. Mr. Orton said, He’ll bo rich soon, and, if he doesn't think of me. I'll do for him." Said Mr. Rawlins, "You wouldn’t hurt your brother, would you?’’ To which tho little man with tho round shoulders and long fair hair replied by bringing his thumb dowu ou the table, and looking up, said, “No, but I’ve got my thumb on him.’’ In itself the discussion was not of very grave importance, nor would Sirs. Rhind have recol lected It but for further developments. In the fall of 1868, she accompanied the family to Oak Hill, Barnet, a suburb of London. Of those who went down to East Barnet was tho fair but lomiaeious lady's-maid, Amy Austin. To her letters came dally, but they were guarded, as if Mrs. Orton would not trust anyone so gash ing. They contained mystic allusions to tho Tkhborno case: hinted darkly at extraordinary proceedings; intimated that the writer was the happy possessor of a gigantic secret, which she was itching to communicate to her bosom friend; and contained a statement that tho detectives wore watching her; that all letters addressed to her were opened at the General Rost Otllco; with a request that no date bo placed upon Amy's let garrulous lady’s-maid this was tho realization of lets to her, no signature,—no anything. To the all her romantic desires, and she obeyed impli citly, satisfying her desire to babble by confiding in Mrs. Rhind. Her fidelity was at length re warded. On the return of the great banker’s family and retainers to Hyde Park Terraco, in the spring of 18G9, Miss Amy received a dark, mysterious visit from Mrs. Orton. Mrs. Orton was agitated. She called Amy aside, and was closeted with her for a long time, when she went her way. The garrulous damsel could not restrain her feelings; she sought Mrs. Rhind, and into her sympathizing ear poured the whole tale—so far as Mrs. Ortdu hod told a tale. She said Mrs. Orton had given her the box (exhibiting a stout box, ten inches long by four inches broad and deep), and told her there were letters in it—letters of the utmost importance—relating—*‘o Lord! she really could not say what they related to— relating to the Tichborno case. Oh my! what was she to do! The police,—that Is, the detectives,—that is, the whole of Scotland Yard,—were after her in a heap, and she (Mrs. Orton) had given the box for her (Amy) to keep until they had searched the house. Sliq was not to write to her Pieap^mie} at any rate not to put her name or address to any letter.” The reporter mildly Inquired how it was that the curiosity of two women was not sufllclontto open the box, with proper accessories. Mrs. Rhind said they would have opened it, sure enough, only it was scaled np with seals of various kinds, and could not have been opened without betraying the baseness of the two women. They were, therefore, content to let the box remain unopened. Tin ee days afterwards Mrs. Orton called for the box, and. expressing her undying admiration of tbeir forbearance in not looking into its contents, took it away with her. In the spring of 1870, Mrs. Rhind once more saw Mrs. Orton. She received an invitation to visit her, and went. It was somewhere near Char ing Cross, and the house was by the canal (If Biich a statement is not contradictory), and then and there she saw Mm. Orton for the last time. Amy and Rawlins had long since departed—had probably got married, or gone to other places, hire. Orton was pale and thin. 6ho still harped on aetectlves, and expressed her intention to move away as soon as xmsalblo, as the police were still watching her. A few months later, and Mrs. Rhind came to Canada, living with relatives there until April, when she came to Chicago. She was house keeper at No. 10 Eldridge court; was at the Michigan Avenue Hotel for some days and was looking for a situation, when the Idea struck her for the first time of letting the world know what eho knew. The above story is given very neatly as Mrs. Rbind told it, omitting the appetizing allusions to lamb, green peas and gin, which were made by the narrator. The probable gist of It Is that the claimant is the brother of the man Orton, that the box contained the correspondence between him and his relatives in England, and that Mrs. Orton was not anxious to bo arrested with the letters in her possesion. It seems almost too late to bo valuable, especially as the case Is go ln S against the claimant Si. lionii &ETaa*THle Railroad. DuQtfOiN, TU., Doc. 12, To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune: Bin; The Hon. Samuel E. Flannigan, President; Bobert F Browning, Vico President; William Dudley, Secretary; Dr. S. J. Layman, C. M. Clark, and Robert H. Flannigan, Jr., Directors, are here to-day, and have already commenced the survey of the St. Louis Evansville Railroad from this place eastward. This route may bo properly termed an extension of tho Belleville Southci n Illinois Railroad. Major W. 8. Hawke?, Engineer of tho Cheater Tamntoa Railroad, giipcrintends the survey, and will make the pro file. President Flannigan is a man of great en ergy and determination, and it is generally con ceded that the road., will bo speedily built. THE LAW COURTS. Trial of Henry Williams for the Killing of Charles Grayson. The Accused Pound Guilty and Sen tenced to Twenty Years’ Im prisonment Interesting. Insurance Case in the United States District Const. Criminal Court. HOMICIDE-QUICK TRIAL—LAW OF SELF-DEFENCE. The trial of Henry Williams, colored, under an indictment for murder, came on.yestcrday in the Criminal Court, Judge Jameson, of the Superior Court, presiding. The indictment charges in substance that Williams caused the death of one Charles Grayson, colored, by shooting him. The indictment was found at the November term. The prisoner was defended by John .8. Quinn, and, by the appointment of the Court, by J. C. Barker. The business of empanelling the jury was a work of short time. The twelve jurors first called had none of them heard of the case, none of them wore opposed to capital punish ment where murder should be proved, and nei ther of them had any prejudice against members of the colored race. The statement of the State’s Attorney was to the effect that the prisoner and the deceased each claimed a sort of right to a white woman. Grayson, on the 30th of October last, wont into the room occupied by that woman, and found Williams fondling her; some words followed, in the course of which Grayson called Williams ahard name, upon which the fatal shot was fired. The line of defence was that tho homicide was justi fied; itbelng further alleged, as an element of the case, that Grayson threatened the life of Will iams, and, upon tho making of the threat, placed his' hand behind his buck us though to draw a pistol. Tho testimony showed, by the evidence given by Dr- Ben. C. Miller, (County Physician; that the bullet passed through the right side of tho heart, causing death. Henry Lovett, a colored man testified aa to the facts, that he was present wheu the shooting took place. He was sitting down in the room. Prisoner and the woman were at tho time talk ing. Grayson came out of a side room, and spoke to the woman telling her he would knock n out of her, and then ho called prisoner several times a had name, and upon a repetition of the offensive words, the shot was fired. Grayson then grasped with Williams, took his revolver from him. and when he became weakened by reason of loss of blood, ho ran down stairs into tho yard, where ho died speedily. The woman, by name flatty Clarke, was also present upon Vue occasion of tho shooting. She was talking with tho accused when Grayson came in and invited her into an adjoining room. She refused to accompany him, when ho applied an emphatic hut very obscene term to her, threaten ing to smash her face for her. Williams Inter posed to say that Grayson should not strike her, when Grayson applied tho offensive epithet to himwhen the shot was fired. This witness had known the prisoner about two years, first at Eric, Penn., but had never seen Grayson before. A Mrs. Ostrander was in tho houao.in a bed room, at the time of the occurrence. Bhe heard the two men quarrelling, and went out Into the room; heard willliaiua tell tho other not again to apply the offensive name to him, when Grayson did repeat it, and the shot was fired. Policeman Stanley, for whose attendance the Court had to wait for a considerable space of time, failed to procure tho revolver which he had been sent to fetch, and so the case ended upon the part of the people. There was no testi mony presented for the prisoner, and no argu ments were made. The Court instructed tho jury as to questions of law, that murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought, express orimplicd. No mere words will ever justifyan assault, and tho malice requisite to murder need not exist any length of time before the killing. The law presumes malice where a person deliber ately makes use of a deadly weapon in such a manner as would naturally produce death; so, if a quarrel of words occurred between tho deceased find the prisoner, and prisoner shot him deliber atclyaild intcntlonallv when he was in no ap parent danger of receiving grealtoffllyliaFinor loss of life, then ho was guilty of murder. For, to sustain a pica of killing la self defence, it must appear that the danger was so urgent and press ing that, in order to save his own life or avoid great bodily harm, the killing was absolutely necessary. A person who is assailed must do all that to a reasonable man it may seem possible to do to avoid tho killing, or otherwise he is not Justified; but. If tho circumstances immediately preceding tho homicide were of such a nature as to excite the fears of a reasonable person, and tho prisoner acted under the influence of fears of that character, and not in a spirit of revenge, then he is not guilty of murder. Tho trial of tiie case occupied one hoar and a half. The jury, after a consultation of half an hour, asked for additional instructions as to tho effect of provocation in a case of homicide, upon which point they were informed that, if there was provo cation given for the act of the prisoner, then they might consider both in characterizing the offence, and in affixing tho penalty ot the guilt. After an absence ot two hours anti a quarter the jury was returned into court, when, upon being interrogated, it was stated thattbero was a want of agreement as to the quality’ of tho crime, whether it was murder or manslaughter; also, as to the extent of tho term of punishment. They were returned to their room. Some time thereafter they returned into court, this time of their own volition, and returned a verdict of “guilty of manslaughter,” with 20 years in the Penitentiary, United States District Court. INSURANCE MATTERS—IIANKRDPICV In the matter of llie Merchants* Insurance Company of Chicago a question arose In the United States District Court before both Judges Drummond and Bloagett, uppn the application for an adjudication of bankruptcy upon the peti tion of the Singer Manufacturing Company. The petition alleged, as its main point, that the com pany, being insolvent, suflered its property to bo taken upon legal process, in this—that before the return day of summons it came in and consented to the ap pointment of a receiver. It was contended upon the part of the insurance company that the Act of the Legislature of Illinois regulating insur ance companies, is a police regulation, of which tbc State lias jurisdiction to the exclusion of the courts of the United states wherefore, because the Auditor had acted with the Attorney Gen eral to enforce the provisions of the act to de clare the company extinct and to distribute its property, the united States Courts canuot proceed In bankruptcy. The argu ment on the other side was that the general act of bankruptcy supersedes the several laws of in solvency or bankruptcy of the separate States. The argument was largely attended by lawyers and parties interested m the settlement of insur ance matters. It was made on the part of the in surance company} by Samuel W. Fuller and Thomas lloyne, Eaqrs., and on the part of the petitioner by Eldrldgo Tourtellotte. Decision was reserved. Superior Court. MECHANIC’S LIEN. A petition was filed by the Cliicago Terra Cotta Company against George A. Bigelow and others, being against the Bigelow Hotel property, on Lots 3toG, It to 17, and: part of Lots 2 and 17, of Bigelow’s Subdivision of Block 121, School Sec* liouJAddition. FORFEITURE CLAIMED. A bill in chancery was filed by Alvin Ford, by which to restrain Potter Palmer from declaring foi felted q lease of Lots 3 to 6, inclusive, of Block 8, Lallln Wilder’s Subdivision of the northeast fractional quarter of Section 21, 351, U. ASSUMPSIT. Suit was brought by Robert Hervcy and against Neils P. Larson. The action is m as suiupsit, and the demandfors3.ooo. A uainat the same defendant J. Loroj Bennett brought suit, claiming $1,600. Circuit Court. TRIAL TERM. _ The trial calendar at thin court tor tho Decem ber term, which commences on Monday neat, has peen prepared; It contains one hundred and llr tecn cases. TUo Jury will come in on Monday. ASSUMPSIT. A claim, by means of an action of assumpsit, is nmdc upon D. A. Van Namcc, Jr.? by RlicUaelß. McDonough, for SI,COO, County Court. Exjscoxonsnu*. Mary M. Con 6, Euplaei L. Stelton, and .W. Kimhflll were approved as executors oi late of Hubbell Is. Cone, under bond of $90,000. IVhnl is the matter with the Western News Company The following letter is but a duplicate of many others of the same character daily received at this olllce. Mr. Walsh will do well to give the matter his personal attention: BOCKFORO, 111., D&C. 10. To the JZHIor of TJte Chicago Tribune: Slit: What is the matter with the Western J«ewa Company i We went to three news men yesterday, os early as four o’clock, and could get no Tuint’SK Piles of Time* were on sale, but no TiHUt'NE, One man said It was Saturday, and every countryman wanted a iTinfNE. Another newsman said: ‘‘The T«»iosis out once more in full, and the News Company sent us a large quantity, but not our usual number ofTia iil'.nks.” Please see wo have enough of your paper to go round. Many RE.vi'EUs; A Fenian New Departure. From the New York Commercial Advertiser, Dec. 12. It is reported that certain of the Irish, resi dents of this city have resolved on a new departure” for the emancipation of Ireland from English rule. The time-honored meth od of advancing onlreland.by way of Canada and the Red River countiy, is to be aban doned, and the next effort is to bo made in a much more direct, and It is hoped, more ef fectnal manner. Thoplanin question is nothing less than the establishment of the Irish Republic by the somewhat indirectmcthodof first making England a Republic. It is well known that the very classes in England who favor a re public, have, heretofore, opposed tho Fenians, but it is believed that they are now ready to join bands with Irishmen to make both islands Republican. This opinion has been entertained by intelligent Irishmen here for some time, past, Imt the dangerous illness of the Prince ox Wales has had the effect to hasten the action of the leaders in the movement, and wo are informed that secret meetings of leading Irish patriots have been hold for some time to discuss the project, and that it has now been definitely decided to send delegations to England upon reception of the news of tho Prince’s death, which delega tions will at once proceed to urge a. rising of the English Republicans, and the immediate establishment of a republic, the Irish to co operate in tho movement on condition of the independence of Ireland hoing acknowl edged. STEAM ENGINES. XJBJE BAXTER SIMM Eili, MANUFACTURED BY Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Hlann factnring Co,, lI.IR TF OR Jo, CO.IW. Is a self-contained Machine, Compact, Sim* pie, Safe, Economical. Eully Guaranteed. Sizes: 2, 3, 5,8, and 10 Horse-Powers. Tor circulars and price lists address TEE BAXTER STM EIGIIE CO.. 18 PAHBL PLACE, 2ST. Y. Tor sale at the Afachinen* Depot of PRANK DOrGLAg, 55 South Cnnal-st.. Chicago. GROCERIES. ETC. Hill GROCERS IK WANT OF CHOICE CAS FRUITS, CHOICE CAS VEGETABLES, EXTRA SEW PRUNES, PRUNELLES, LONDON LAVERS, SULTANAS, MUSCATELS, VALENCIAS, GENUINE FRUIT JELLIES, CHOICE FRUIT PRESERVES, FRENCH PEAS, ENGLISH PICKLES, ITALIAN MACCARONI and VERMICELLI, PINE APPLE CHEESE, EDAM AND SAP SACO, FINE OLIVE OIL, CHOICE TEAS, ALSO, FINE LIKES Staple Groceries, CAN FIND THEM AT G.C.COOK CO.’S, Michigan-ar. Congress-st. CARPETS. Carpets. HAMLIN, HALE COMPANY Have just received Kew Goods in Brussels, Tapestry and Ingrain. Also, Oil Cloths and Mattings, comprising some very choice patterns, to ■which they ask the attention of Wholesale and Eetail Buyers. 81 and S3 SOUTH CANAL-ST. DRY GOODS. BOWEN, HUNT WINSLOW offer complete assortmeHts of Re pellents, in black, green, and gold mixed; Plaids and Stripes; Dixon Shirts and Drajvcrs; Hoods, Nn bias, Comforts, Scarfs, Shawls, Blankets, Velveteens, and a fall line of their celebrated American Eagle Black Alpaca, Order* will hare prompt and tatiifntiorg attentioiti at lowett prices. ra, m m is iiiiHM, CORKER MaDISOKST. HAYS, CAPSjJUBS,ETC.^ KIiOKKS, THE HATTER, OPEN AT 73 \V. MADISOS-ST., 216 W. BiSDOtPH-ST., WITH A SELECT STOCK HATS, CAPS, FURS, GLOVES. ETC. MINERAI^SPKING DUNBAR’S Wonderful Discovery BETHESDA MMM SPfIIIG ffM OF WAUKESHA* WIS. Acknowledged curs ofJßriffhte Hou. amt all affcctfims ol finest stock of WATCI. ES, JEWELRY, SII &c., &c, ever brought to thi* market, selected espeo ially for the Holiday trade at their usual lot prices. 111111IMMIITBI •SEWm.X.EIIS, Gor. Stale ail TwM-sls, Opposite Field, Lcltcr (0., AMD 200 WEST ItTADISOU-SP. We will open, on Monay next, the finest assortment of Gold Sets, Ear Hoops, Cameo Sets, &0., west of New York, at very low prices. m. mat son co., 481 Wabasli-av, NEW PUBLICATIONS. January Magazines. THE mum; rami. COJTTS&TB. HOLMES—The Poet nt ihe Breakfast Tabic* LONGFELLOW—Lady Wentworth* HAWTHORNE—Septimlna Felton, or The Elixir of Life. PARTON— College Days of Thomas Jefleraon* HARTE— Grandmother Tcuterden* TAYLOR—fincsl* of >ight. DeMILLE—A Comedy of Errors. FlSEE—illytlw of the Barbaric World. STED3IAK—The Heart of Sew England, PARSONS—In .St. James’ Park. MRS. THAXTER—Before Sunrise. H. JAMES, JR.—A Change of Heart. HOWELLS—Some Orcadian Shepherds. j^S DIVERSIONS OF THE ECHO CLUB. Recent Literature—Art—Music—Science—Politico. TERMS—Single numbers, 33 ccnU; $4 a year. In ail ranee; 2copies, S7; scopies, Slti; 10 copies, S3O, and lor each additional copy. OUR YOUM FOLKS. CO.Tr^.TTS, TROWBRIDGE—A Cltnnce for Him*elf. KORA PERRY—The Little Dunbnr*. ailtiS PHELPS—The »en Serpent. REV. B. D. CARTER— Crusoe Life. aiRS. DIAZ—Two Lillie Rogue?*. Catching Santa Clans—Skating Sketches—The Story ol the Wise Men of Gotham—Capital Things in Oar Evening Lamp—The Letter-Box—Ami Numerous Attractive Pictures. TERMS—Single copies, 20 cents; c- a year, in ad vance. An extra copy (or five subscriptions. OCR YOCNG POLES ami ATLANTIC MONTHLY, $5. CsT For sale by all Booksellers and Newsdealers. JAMES B. OSGOOD CO., Boston. LESTER UPDIKE'S H r ew Brick Warehouse, TASSOS-ST., Between Clark Griswold-sts. Storage for General Merchan dise at FAIR RATES. CLOTHING^ min udil We are selling Shirts and Drawers at $3.00, $2.75, $2.50, $2.25, $2.00, and so on down to 400. Even the last mentioned are good ones. You can tell better what they are by seeing them. A lew of those $7.00 Reefing Coats still left; and a new lot of Overcoats just received. 122 W. Madisoa st. FUKS f FUISS! Tallies will An* l a &ne assort ment of Seal, Ermine, and Astraohan Furs in all tie new and desirable patterns at 196 West Nadisor-st., BASSETT HAMMOND. BAIR GOODS. New Importations Of Daman and Imitalim BUR GOODS at retail and wholesale trices, at BARBOIT’S Bair Store, 113 Wcstnadlson-st.. Chicago. Special to the trade. Send •tamp for Price List office of GRIT S. BIR BOW, late 77 Clarhal. PROIESSIONAL. D rT H elWoun OCVLI9T AND ATBWT, Has again resmnedimalacss at 2W West where he is prepaid with all modem appliances l the relief ot the djif and blind. ITIONAX. COLLEGIATE lASTHtTE’ T above Lincoln at Raveuawor/. I*l.. on the the Northwestern Park, twentjroinntef’ Course, hlasio Railroad Lewt. Classical ami Mayo. Foreign departments charge ot wiuter term com teartier of Trench and German. meI EDWdTD HAYES., principal- BaTtaawood. m.