University of South Carolina Libraries
'jfcaurastcr PUBLISHED XT LANCASTER 0. H. S.)? BY COK!VOBS At C iKTJBK. | THURSDAY MORNING, DEC , ?, 1S?7. BWWWi fln.finij * (XHnqw marlnm ttr? margin of their paper uuy know that their time is about to expire. ^Jhl ?? T TEltMS FORHUHSCHIPTIOK. For one year, in advance, - $3 00 For fix months, " , - ? 1 60 For three months, ** "? 1 00 The Cotton Tax. .* i 1 Our renders have bnen advised that an ? , , vjxteniiro Law connection, under the name of I1xk8CU*l V. Johnson dc Co., composed of the first legal talent in theSouth> era States, hac been formed for the purpose of recovering from the Government the taxes heretofore, and which may herei aftqr be paid on cotton, including the whole cotton tax paid since the war.? f r . . . these gentlemen are sanguine of success, upon the ground that the tax upon cotton is a duty upon exporta, and as such, is c'early prohibited by the constitution ; and their purpose is to bring the question before the Judicial tribunal* of the coun try ic a way which will ensure a prompt decision. They propoie to prosecute the claims of tax payer* free o/expfnte to the claim ants. The whole plan pf action and re numeration to the company ia entirely contingent?depending upon the success of the undertaking. If they fail, the claimant loses nothing ; if they succeed lie recovers all of the unlawful tax which has beet) wrung from him, and out of which he will he required to remunerate the company for their services. It is a perfectly safe arrangement so far as the tax payers are concerned, nnd the propc sition, eminating as it does from a source of the highest respectability, add resses j itself to the interests of all persons who have paid taxes on cotton to the Govern inent. Parties who wish to avail thern selves of the chances presented, shoulJ at once present their clairoaf)(| , i Messrs. Kershaw <Jr Connors, aa will i . .. IIM> -..'111 tf* f ' ' . be seen by advertisement on another 1 J I column, ara the authorized agent* of the ( company for Lancaster District. They , will make the necessary arrangements , with tax payers for a prompt proaecution 1 of their claims. We presume that the ' I extent to which ibie District is interested ^ in the queelion is not much abort of fifty ( thousand dollars. Gloomy Prospects for the SouthOur readers bavstftfobtton observed that reports of negro demoralization in different ' portions of the South bave become alarm ingle frequent within tbeiast few months. We hope that these acconnts are ex<m?r< , ted, and it is probable that in many, hi < atances they are ; bur there is no abetting j out the faot that the present condition of * the country, brought about by die unwise UffitlailAA A# rUnsM**< i? ? ' ?www w, wvn^fwa ?? invriucb to n? poittffr?g?,jt toy tiling else than fltuer ing. On* of tb* Editors of tbe Meraphtn i >Avalanc\*, who baa lately been travelling in Arkaoaaf^' write* that, in the aedtioos through which he poaand, gloom and derpair pervade fhe miade of the entire fnrrni ing population. .Jlie leeaea of thoae em giged in the culture of 'notion W?M be na^rignnv lint few will pay napeoaee.? Th* loaaea tbia year are aaaok Urger than thoae of lnai year. Planum am rapidly paying off aod dieeharging their hindr. being unable to feed them loagnr.lt The j negro it complnfnly demoralised. ? Ideal of -thena bare largely overdrawn their Wager, .nod. Laving learned thi# fact, many of Uym have abcudoned their etuployerr, leaving tbe cotton eUU unpicked ; and the reault ia. olanteaa a??/awnall?^ tn ' r 1 f"J ethareto pick out their rMUn, for which la bo# they have already paid. Aa ao aaaey planter* will refute to-mieeeotton Mxt year, thonaande of aefroee will be thrown out of onaploynaaat, aed thay will ba forced to live by a regular system of pilfering and robbery, til 71'bo lama atata of attain exist th roughmil the H out barn State*. The leal aem ber of tba Iluntaville Independent aaya: "We are aorry la law that a large por lion of the oaiton now in the fteida will wot ba farthered, am aaaeaai of the inability of plaatere to- gat laborera to padflt wot. For raver a 1 week* aa adaaatiaaraaot data kaao standing ia our papaa>oibrtng good wagaa for ftfty bande, a?d we urn dentand not mora thmrw doeen could ba secured. There are htfddrade of 'able bodied negro men In the country and about town who uMarly fhfaea m do an#y regular work, IWWWwTiW To tultisaie a T\Ule tMcW patch, ahd to do trlflin? jobsl j *bout the etreets, dimply to ?upp'j tb?ir peltry +i'ri\?Vt (Wp*" ?*""> J T^ba Vicksborg corraspoodent of the Njw Times uji tbe colored [ population of Vickaburg take to tbeir burrows in tbe hill* _ m natural m we ' white trMb'* used to d* when Federal , ebeUs were flying ioc*n?*Bt>j asound ? > The Vicktburg Tiltgrnph eeye that all over tbe city and under tbe city huts and "bulewots" are to be found fteW4 are , tolerable specimens ef architecture, end in them a few eol?t>4 peepiaeaijht poeelbly cxie% but the majority are eery rude * v imitations of houses, and in mom frjui halfafkpsen to/*Um ntwjpable m Q1 ti 4 to?J<s#t *^nSk> mat. can oiMnDr-live and mg^ tWr Many of t'ueae mw neither doitbey spiti, bat the Btoadpen'* Uurenu feed* theqfe X latt despatch from Montgomery, Alabama, myVthat ibe accounts from tbe country districts report great destitution among tbe farmer*. Tbe freed men are said to be livini? hv nitlnuA ?mi ir. 1,a -> - j i e~? k* killing the beef cattle and slock generally. In boiuo sections ilia cotton Golds arc still white. Labor is sought but cannot be had. Bttt few freedmon hafe made con tracts for uejt year. For all this there is but one help for the present for our people, and that is to rely more upou their owu exertions and lef? upou the labor pf tbe freediu^>,<? They should circumscribe their farms, hire only such laborers as will work, aud discard all ideas of becoming rich by making cotton. The Charlotte Dailys. a. i We are in receipt, per our last mail from Charlotte, of two daily papers lately inaugurated in that city?the Daily Newt and the Daily Bulletin. The latter ie published by J. E. Barrrow, formerly of the Guardian. Both ere fair specimens of typographic art and editorial skill and ability4 end we congratulate the people of Charlotte upon the accession to their newspaper convenience and enterprise. <. IJreediaea's Bureau. * The fc/tlowlng order wss issued frorri the War Department? ? od W 48iiinow, December 10. With a viqw to the reduction of the number, of ellic?rs and agemt iq( ibis Bureau, in places where their services can be dispensed with, it is hereby nrdeied, that, with the exception of the Snperio tendents of Education, on end after the l&'h day of February, 1868, all officers ai;d agents in tbs following State.* will be discharged, vi*; Maryland. Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee. The senior | officer of the regular army in command of troopa will he thereafter the Assistant Commissioner in the above named States. 1 lie mil keep hitmelf thoroughly inform > ed of the condition of the country within i the limit of his command, snd will have j a srna'l movable force avail ?ble to send ^ to any disturbed district where there shall t?e evident necesaitv of Interference. The , Superiulendentof Education in each Sims named will report to the Assistant Com nissioner thus constituted, who will assist (lim bfevery means in his power in hastsning and extending the work of educa liou. All officers of the regular srmr re ered by thia order will report by letter .o the Adjutant for instructions. (Signed) O O. HOWARD, Major-tteneral and Commissioner. . Approved ! U 8. Grakt, Secretary it War, ad interim. Fh? Alabama Riot*?Arrest of the Riog Loader. Mon*toomkiit. December 18?The .d<? vertiser ennfhips reliable information of the arrest ml tiaa Shorter, a negro of this who ?u the leader of ibe recent insurrectionary movement ia IJulJock coun ty. The negro Shorter claim* to be from Illinois, or from ooe of the north western States; and ear* tLAt he was sent br the Radicals of that region so organise hia gvrerofiisut in the South. The blacks gave information of his whereabouts, and he Was captured hy whiles and blacks.? When tbe tfertlded negroes of the neigh bbring plantations heard of H tbey gath? pou, n ooniiowiDifl nuniDwt, xnn nam , or*. 1 for lit* delivery lo them for summary punishment* fhey would have put liim | to doath, but the whites interfered am) persuadod theoi to ^leVthe law take its .6BS IX f ft Wf jfiiu0*!r course. ^ .Shorter way imprisoned at ibe County J^tfj'af Union Springs. A letter of Shorter^ io*h*groee *Jhom hetsfled officers of . hie government has been published, show ing the <bsium of the organisation. In tliie.letter Shorter decreed the death of Jery;, Treaeurer of tbe revolutionary or gamzatfon. There ere other letter* of Shorter in the possession of the civil an thorltlea, end' the Srhole of them, with the esedaone of the blacks, when examined, wHI mpose to tbe country, in ail its alro c:ty, a lUdical pjot to organiza the black* of tbe South in revolutionary conspiracy against the whites. C tptain Rriee, Agent of the Preedmet?*a Bureau at Greensboro', reeentiy look the keys and liberated a number of prisoners who warp eonffned by the proper civil authority. Ilia action is severely condemn d. 'i Mr. T??tcb? and Jedgo ?'ski an. The New York Tribune, quotes from i some Sonthefn 'pisper which we h ?ve not NM, ili? lfr-0 expneeeion 'if opinion, ua*<! ; by Weneral fooml'A ,r>f Qmrgm toward* Judge Brevine, lb* Dialiicj, Judge of tbe IJoited otaiee (Jourt*^ for the Stale of fteorgfa. General ToQmfca, bud long Wed' ' pfartlfioner of tlmt court, *tefore til* #bfr. fie i? enrolled M one of it* nt> torney*; *od th?rftfor^ it wa? not necea try for bitn to take.any oatli no?, to be practitioner at it* bar. Judge Ertkio* h<?we?#r refused to aflow him to Appear 'at' W lawyer In 1h(#&#rt of which he i* a Judge, and Mr. Too ant*, after live court Adjourned, want to bie room, and addreea. cd Inn ? follow*: "3ir, twenty year* ago, wh*n you were <frinlniif butter milk out of a awill tub in , the boga, T wee ft practitioner before the court which you now diegraee. Fifteen yenrft ego, whew I w*e Kenntor in Con'tree*, yon were aellfng Infer beer from behind the counter of e proggery, wed et no period ta ten yeara hfta pay gentlemen seen the lime when cpuld ftlford to notice you on the afreets; end yet, sir, you who are perjtire# fa accepting the nfftre yd www hbM, prhaume to refeee gentlemen the right te practice before you." L O V A Ij, jfr |C l!x8?cttixs -.t rEE-^Dry Ooo'lSj ' <jroc*rie?, l)mp?, &#? .^^Jp ** Jukks CuocKtrlfr ?Dry ria?, Jic. | o "" J. M. Sadler Co.?Dry Gock1?, j ? heavv^niul Fmucv Groceries, l>ruj{a, Jic. j f j. B. Horn?irry uootts, ttrocefles, ' Medicines, dec. Taylok, C?*'<> dt Co.-o-CraigvHIe? I Dry Goods, Groceries, Ac. i CHARLOTTE, N. C. 1 Buxbaum ik Lung?Dry Goods, Oro- ( ceries, itc.. wholesale and retail. I A. Sinclair? Dry Goods, Fancy No- { lions, vkc , w holesale and retail. j Kilgore it Cureton?Druggists, whole ale and retail. ^ Our Next Issue. < Tn otder that the employees of this office may enjoy the usual Christmas holt- * days, there will he no regular issue of the ' Ledger next week. A half sheet will be f Issued on our regular publication day for ' the benefit of advertisers, and to give the 1 latest telegraphic aud other important ' news. * Personal- I We are pleased to learn that the Rev. I johx W. cftidkn has been returned, by 1 the South Carolina Conference, to this t Village, as a distinct charge, for the en I suing Conference year. This announce- ' ment will no doubt be received with geai " era I satisfaction. , 1 School Notice. c We direct attention to the advertise- t meo* in this issue, under il?e rW>vo cap li liou. The high moral and intellectual I capacities of tbc teacher* are well known c to our citizens, and we take pleasure in h recommending .the enterprise as eminent v ly worthy of patronage. ti Masonic. t Id accordance with the usual custom of (] the fraternity, from lime immemorial, the ,| Lodge at this place will convene at their Rl regular communication hall oq KriJay w next, the 27 tb test., for the purposo of f, natal! ation of oflicers for the ensuing e Masonic year. We are requested to stale ' r, ,l?at a full meeting is earnestly desired. I( [he Convention. j Though no oflicial report of the e!ec ? iot returns has been published, it seems .0 be generally conceded thst a sullkiei.t role was polled to ensure the convening >f the Convention. The whole affair, at j( .hi* late day, smacks of great irregular! ^ ,y in some quarters, which need the usual patching process to meet the designs of fci the Radical parly. 8lrange, indeed, thai tuch delay* should occur in a dsv's trnv ^ si from the headquarters to any pari of ( Ihp Stale. We believe the Convention r 1 I WHS lost. | The Franklin Academy This institution will resume its exercises ,? on the first Monday in January r-el*.? The limiting efforts of Mr. J. C. Haunts, 1 its Principal, to make ibis school tbon ' ougldy efficient, his gentlemanly beariug, ' anil qualifications for preparing all who ' may be entrusted to him, either for h I Collegiate course, or for immediate en ' trance upon business, are considerations well worthy the attention of parents and ' guardians. The quiet situation, the ex 1 ceedingly low terms, compared with otb ' er institutiona of the like, and the high moral character of the teacher, are a lev 1 of the advantage! which this ?whool of- 1 f?tr.. The Gem of the Yonthtiee I The January numfet of Dkmorkst, i noir entering Ft* riith year, redeem! the < proraiaea oT'the puhliaherTor 1808. Ilia j the moil attractive of the faahfon period ' ieala, and deaervea the aucceei which it i ha! achieved. Tta aim ia to comhina the ueeful with the heautifnt, and it doea it in the beat manner. It auppliea to ladiee a fount of "inepiralion, which none who have once taaled could live, keep honae, and dreea nicety without; and aave* more dollara in a year than it coat. $3 per ear. W. Jenninga Damoreat, 473 Broad, way, N. Y. ^ "" * Dr. tMa^ Donation. Our veedera will remember the Hberal donation of 11000 in gold made hy'flr. J. Martom 8m*, a reaident of Paria, dur ( Ing the paet Summer, Tot the relief of the destitute of thia hie net've f>wtrlet. The , Oommiaaiooere of the Poor, we learn, in ,i to whoae handa the funda were placed by >j the Committee of gentlemen appoint*! I, by the Governor for ite diaburaemen', hna . purchased a tract of land with n email portion of the fond, fontntning about 100 acree, foor mftea Kant of the Village, for the nnvoAM of Mtahtiahinw a MiniaaMt home fur the h?lr.!eaa Mod infirm. Om traete hero nlreedf been let for the mrt in* of tulMbU and comfortable betiding*, tind lh? plan* M mioomly narrated or, re plaueibte, mid in our judgment, promieing the euecoeaful completion of.'the undertaking. The loeiitutioo, ere under tend, will be deeignated "ttime' Home,** end will be under the cere of a competent end humane euporintendent. Tbia, we believe, a judicio<>? inreetment, which, rrltl not only hdd to the comfort of the pdvpe# elate, hot will materially tnaeeo the hoary burden of tetetion erieiog in thin direction. We wi*b ?occ?m. II1" M" JH -i. . -.'J. -f ~ IhrUtm&a, ^VitU ?jninter?u3 ?porM?Q*an?ip* ifiqtt Ike * Ushered in ?poi? us. The loy? on nod 'hi ol.l fur OH be.^brtyjclej w)|h Ui? pn?t, nndMD* ^n*^,dPUkerhdtby lb* lom>? fUr^ if new enterprise* nnd honeo, will be re* miniated to pierce the abyss of a mv*;ic ulure. St. Nigltolte, with Lis Joojr lilu*>eard and giant proportions, has made >i? yearly round?de?lay to the great *)?lsfsclion and amusement of the children, rhe glad smiles that light up the inno enl countenances of our little ones, to lome extent, banishes tbeheavy cares and oils that are to lift met m every day fife. Iluppv children, our memory flits back with the freshness of but yesterday to our 1 ' t >oyhood days arid its fond familiar sports, 11 av your felicity never be less. The trade'of tho freedmen opened on Holiday !a?t under lively auspices. The whole of Africa has come to town, lose! id with barter of every descriptioh, from t beef clear down tho catalogue to pirn fere ; pork, beef, turkey, chickens, geese, >utter, eggs, potatoes, pees, corn, bay, ill ticks, fodder, wood, walnuts, and vnri his oilier varieties iu the feed lino, were aggsd in, horse?back, mule-back, barejatk, foot-back, and all other conceiva >le ways cf locomotion. Prices ranged o tho stringency of the times, to the sad liscomfortUro of CulTey, who bad calcula ed, no doubt, on "a r'jtV in the articles 'tdtisumpttve" about this time. Every. >ody couldn't get tnikej?, so some bad to mt up with the "shlogin'" species One otored individual disposing of his stock 0 several of his sable brethren seemed to lave forgotten the transaction, an J quiet' V seated upon hi* throne drawn by ? otipfe of "aunt Maria's" bullock's C>r the 3ng lost calf, we coul.l not tell which, rag in the act of dealing his anathemas n thunderous tones uton the leather pates f the Unfortunate purchssers, while dis ance lent some kind of an enchantment to li'? view of ti e panting bullocks gar.'ng liroltgh the brOad area of green-tan pectacles, when excitedly the command ras given to "halt dat fellar, dim." Words ir a time, run high, fire tl tshed from the ye Da!!*, ste-ini, < f a fbggy nature, oozed om the nostril* ; the voracious dettWnd !? "gib up detu chickens you logger, sou," 1 kjare 'fore (lod I pay dat nigger for em chickens, 1 'khiie 'fore Odd I did," dey'a mine, yes tier is, gib hack tny mo f den, or I make you link a tnu'e kick u," "purport de whole lode Luwtinent," lako 'im to de L?jg'ers, f guess *um putcb im up." Here, we thought a clear ca*e jr Chester, hut fortunately the affair onled down without blooJslied or broken kulls. Indications say that there is no sck of mean 'limmon whiskey and rot ;ul on ha n<I in soma quarter, unknown o us, and we may vert reasonably n >e?t lively times Ixfore the close of the lolidayt. ui' Eteeult of Cheap Working From tpne to time during the present fear has pne aod another of our $l?t? L'reea sphered the arbitrary penally of inrequiwd toil. Among theur are llie Columbia Corv>Iinian,lho Spartanburg Kv pre#*, the Anderson Appeal, the Colum liia Patriot, the Aiken Pr**?, the Char eston Ilecord, the Oraijg#burg Times, and he Manning iboordsr. ; Their voices are nule. The Kingstree Star is olfered for mlo \ also a half interest irt the Chester Standard. The nb.va dht of aewspaper iiNpMions reveals the fact that the pre*' itrugjjlo under no ordinary vieiseitodas. The coat, euro and labor, requisite in aewapaper pttblitiiiug, am too lightly ap predated. Hut fow unacquainted with .he weekly expense* of n printing oflhe ;an conceive of the re*pon*ibilitiee pi lournaliaip. The items of labor, paper, ink, wear of material, etc, etc , run up to no mean mm during the year. Tor thb Lancaster Ledger. The Soath Carolina Conference. ' * >1 1 ' WITi"? The South Carolina Conference of the M. E. Churcb, South, convened in Mor gar.ton, N. Cn on the 11th inat. Biahoj [>avidS. DooOKTr,of Virginia, presiding, After the uanal religion* exercise*, the lliahop delivered an adlresa to the inem< her* of the Conference. IH ?> I The uauai huaine** of the Church war dwpatched with deliberation and care.? Ureal harmony prevailed through the en Ure peaaion. ? Uav. F. Mii.tow Kkmnrdy wat contin ued Ibe Branding Elder of the Wade* boro' D^trict. Lancaster Village w? made a Slat lor pad lUv.J. W. Unto Kit appointed to the charge. ltev. It L. J^acrift, was assigned (he Hanging Kock Circuit; *n<J U?V. J.C Urnier, l'laaaant (?ro?# Circuit. The following rcioiuiion offered by He* F. A. Moou adopted; littolved, That in order to keep the membership of our Church properly isi formed end interested in the origin, in* tory, progress, peculiarities end successes of Methodism, that the 24th day of Mav, the date of the conversion of John Wee ley, he set Apart by this Conference for annual services, to he celebrated by,gnr mom, addresses, Siindgj School festivals, or otherwise, in nil our charges to (hit end. The next Session of the Con^reoee wfll be held in Abbeville, S C. i ^WltAPUlC. I r Etfongresaton&uj^V SKX A.flL?W asiiinotoA^ Bit>ccflbersj lit!?The feolton tax <inie11 IWi-, Murrell argued adveme^y, eonueting rooin<alitfo?.er Weill' po?ilioft^^o^off%rv ] ed an amendment exempiiuclroin dutv imported cotton ?lter April, 18G3. lie ridiculed the idea of foreign competition, ami ^pmcreted to ihow lyomnTAtieTtes that the smallest cropa brought the highest price#, tyr. Sherman argued for the ret heal, maintaining that the war had piovad that the United States had no monopoly in cotton, and read letters from army otliCera and other Nirlhoru nieu showing that (he collou culture had resulted in absolute tors. A continuance of the las must del strop the cotton culture. Mr. Fessendon opposed immediate nation. Mr. John I son's amendment, applying the exemption to this year, was amended by making (he exemption applicable only to stock iu (lis hands of producers,-and that np c'aiuis for taxes already paid shall be entertained by the cobrts. Mr. Johnson accepted the tir?t amendment, hut rejected the encond on the ground that, if the tax should prove unconstitutional, the claimants should not be refused a hearip^'. Mr. Conk) tng gHVH notice c>f ar; amendment that the repeal should nn'y apply to the Crop of 1SGH ? The matter w nation postponed, and (lie Senate went into Executive se&eiou an I ndjotirued. HOUSE.? Mr. Logan introduced a re so) 111 ion appointing a committee for local lug the capita! df the United Stales. The Committee of Ways nnd Means were directed to inquire into the expediency of making legal tenders receivable as customs to the extent of live per Cent, nnd to repeal tin* legal toiider acts bearing on Contracts. Mr. Benjamin, of Missouri, offered a resolution with a lengthy preamble, which re* Ivm, 1st, that the House of Ikepresen luiives will never consent to take one re lro?.?<lri step from its advanced position in prnVdliiig all; and promoting the cause of equal rights; 2d, that l1to anecets of the Kedonslructioo act, so lar, gives no reason to doubt that under their provisions the restoration of (lie rebel States will he?uc cessfuily carried out and accomplished, and they will he established on a l< yal Iihms, and tliat, in the judgment of the house, thvra i* no necessity f>r the repeal of Iho?e laws. 1'!?? resolution passed, un d*r the operation or the previous uuvatipn, ' V a strict party vote?yeas J 11, nays ^XVATT? ? W asmivgtok, December IT ? A resolution was introduced promo live of a prompt ??tti?inent of- claims.? I is the course of the debate, it was main tainej that a counfip^ oUici-r* assumed loo mud, jurisdiction. Mr. Davis offered a resolution calling for the aggregate expenditures of the breedmen's Hireau since 1X05. Several Shiiatora objected, a* much uf the disburse meats were for while refugees; pending the discussion tho morning hour expired and the discussion im the repeal of the cotton lax was resumed. Mr. Oonkling, of New Vorlf. prooeiled to say that a helping hand had beua extended to these destitute coniruunitiys. The direct lax hail been suspended in all tbe insurrectionary States; the fax had heen retndvbd from sugar, machinery arid other articles which pertained to ski set ootminintiy. lie would say now that it woqhl have been touch better k>r these people if one uf the parties uf this country nun the visible head uf the OovcrrinlAnt h let thdrn afona ; if they find stopped swaggering abMif, Snd laMring stunt ^presentation in I'kugreev, and <onm to work to build up their nap iter* is hod section, they would to Jay have i.?_ t 1 -- ? i? ir-ru IHMUII ?l '?|#|Htirv NIIU Id WtlUllJ W Q. ? Tf '.h?a l?* was taken off if worth! wipe *?nt twcijly million* revenue, and they kiT'-w not wberw to replace it. Mr G. indicate* * d'apoaitkm to vole fur a reduc ti vf the lax, but uia ntaiucd .that, the proper course was to postpone the ti'll null! February or March, when the Whole object of revenue would be up; ami he earn notice of bin intention lo make a inution of ill at effect. Morton aaiil that cotton sunuld not he entirely exempt from tlie hurtens of eorornment. The diaeursion then a*anm ml a political tarn, when thy Sonata went inio Hxeculife mm'oii and then smIj >urw e<l A. UOUSli.? A her the general buiiaeas, > Mi. Stevens introduced a hill regarding p reconstruction. Objection was made and the liilf waa pnatpnned. Thla alrera the protiaion requiring majority ot the reg aterml vt>t? ra fur lit* now constitution lo a majorly of lite votea cvat. The second section provide* for the election of representative* at the time of the election 1 on the constitution, who ?hn!f t-tke their seals at the eesaton succeeding the one at > which their Stale* ere admitted. Section third provides that uutil a new apportionment, the States ahall l e lepra 1 s?*tited aa follow* : SmllTt Carolina six, ' two of whom ahsll be oleiMed hy theStale at large; North Carolina iglil,ooe to be > etattod by the State *4 large ; ItAocgia eight,one at large; Honda QUO*. Alabama eight, two at large; Mississippi aix, n* at large; Louisiana aix, one at large ; "Y. ??,* five, oire at large; Arkansas three. No number ia given for Virginia, * . The itsd^iary Commute* era oireeted to continue their exam meltons regaid.mg the Maryland republican government., 1 SENATE?WAAHI.notov, Jteee-nber i 1^.?A memorial from tWNnrfolk Hoard of Trade In fhfofaf thy repeal ofthl tetit | lull m> wnn |iieiolliri|, | iih r?|mM ill |Mf ^ro<io4i i** w*a ilwooaand, nitar wlirob the ' jjyrfl^Mtt na?aaakra regarding (ieneral j Hancock waa whan, amid ennatdera . hl? confusion regarding lit disposition, the NehaU adjourned. IUHJSK ?In the House a h!H for fin | r.-'iaf of ?i>l<hera who < I Mori*'I ??? report. mI h? ih.i MWimrf iioniiuiUea, and pro rokcd considerable discussion. It a?? contendsJ that it restored officers who a< ' ftandoned the tJnto'n Tor the rebeT arnrty at me eorntneucemertt vff the war'. The linau want Into CaatmiilM on the State ofthe Union until tha IVaaMnnl'i ,\l.-Mai{ai>B General Hancock wag raooir a I, which.waa read in aoiaa confusion an I ordered td be print#J. j , , j. Tha consideration of tha Recoaatruetioti bill was ordered to be resume]. I . - - ?-? ... Ji * ? wl^Hard H'?vp nonce of ah litlJI* tional taction, authorising the convention! to ti(i MM. >roviai.nnl government*.?? Mr. Sfeyenf-withdrr:* the section of tbe bill ittcreaKinjj the representation from the Southern JfeMtea, and the bill ?tm passed ,bvv,? vote *flf one hundred nml four to thirtV'eCVen. A strict party Vote. The bill, n? pataed, provide* that a majority of vote* cast shall he sufficient to ratify I the ne?v coualtltnioh*, and that, at lie ' time of voting on the constitution*, the I member* of Congress *hall be elected ac? l _ _i wiLii V.I curomg iu me *j|'wi;r?infij?m uisiriri* they existed in? jJle lAhik officer who make* return* of vole* on the roo? stitutions shall, give Q^rUfientes to the Coti* grp??men. , ? 41 J. ?I t The President'* Message i* highly laudatory ??l Muucook'e Order No. 40, end conclude* : "I reepee! fully sop gent to Congress the propriety of eoitte public recognition of General Hancock's patriotic conduct. II not to him, to the frieods of lew end justice throughout the country. Of sueh hu ect hb hit, et such a time, it in hut tit thAt the dignity should ho vindi* ceted end. the virtue proclaimed, no ihet it* ve'ue as an exai.ii le ftiay not be lont . v .4 I* ,*tti * tt to the hatlon. nut " -i'. t Low Price of Property in Alabama. Moxtoomkhy, nci?ei^h?-r 10?At a Sheriff'* hete to?J?v of rest estate, railroad stock, etc., sold at remarkably low figure*, lend five to twenty cents per aero, er><l railroad atocks at ten cents oa the dollar. ' A Teat Question. Mo^toomsht, December 18 ? Mr. kimouur, the Sherill, no called, of Mobile. wh-j here yesterday, A prisoner iu his Cintodv has *a*4 out a writ 6e k ib'tii eor? pun in Judge Itusteed'a Court, alleging that he in restrained of his libcrtT by a man who i* not a legal officer. This iu? voire* the whole question of the constitutionality of the Reconstruction acts.? Granger thinks that the acts will he decided to he unconstitutional, and the prin oOor',or<}i!re(1 to bp *at at liberty. Appointment of a Na^ro aa Juatice of Peace in Alabama. Mostuomsky, Deoemher 18?Albert Smith, a freerlman, ha1* bean appointed by Oeftrral l'opo a Juaticu of the Peace in Tuacalooaa, Alabama, Eartbquike at the North. Nmv Yokk, l>ecember 18 ?A aevare pmrti:<jtj>?tce wm felt tItts morning, letting twenty seconds. It cxtenda-i through the i New Kiil'IiwkI Htatn* and Canada, and aa far aeutli ?j White Hail. ' The Goorgia Convention. AtLani a. 1) ceniber 1 8.?An or<linance a wh? introduced In Convention thia morn? ttivr l<> vacate all State olbcera after the tirat of January neat, until (bled, by Oeocrnl Pope, the Convention'* orJuieoce or rv popular role. A logo number of relief mb?*ure* were inth>HuceJ Standing committee*, with sixteen In number, were announce*, bet three negroes boiog on I be coiumiUoea t|, Atoanta, Daeeiwbt-r 17.? A resolutioa aa. introduced to prevent Jiacrimiuat^pn bjr, common carrier* on account of color} alto a resolution recommending the removal of Governor Jenkins, **\iJ the appointment of liulfnek, of ll'chmmut. Atlanta, f)efe?ii>V*r 19?Tlia Con-i. awnt'nn v?h? occupied all <| >y irt rnrftidin in if lha ?*uu?i< riffurml oo \a*t?rd*jr ' coinin*tidi(i|{ to I'upa tba mioot, ' ul <>f <? ?r?>riioi Jpiikwia. It v%* finally adopted, lnii Without the recoiumeiiJfc? lion of h iucce?*bf. ' Ii A 'i' itS s T. 9KV\TK. ? W A^IIISBTOS, Il'MUlW 20 ?A'tt-r tb? ititO>dn<*ion and reference of noma iiiiimporimii.*ra?oiutioii?( tlia (la* b?ie o? the cottoni,** v?a? returned.? \Y.de and wild *i?w* were ex pre teed, whan, w nlioiit taking action, or rexjiinf ilio amend ttnly fkMC.in?irli'crton litll, tlia Senate went into Kxecutive eaaioa end : adjourned l b" veto of the bill .etrikiog tlia won) nh.t" ft (mm L>wtri?t ordinance* did not come iu to-day. There it aotne difference of oplrtfnn, Wit itiA preemption ft that litis withholding of tbo veto amount# to a 1 pocket veto. 'i ?.?i r' . i. sit , A couiti to day indicate* that tha biii for the rtpt-I <>i the ruityn tax, list] ibe vote been ul?n, would have failed by two Volet. An ultimate Modification of tha lax i? probable,-but K will hardly apply to ibis vear'e-cfruan -W , I "W . ? a W a The Georgia ConventionAAaxti, December 20.?The Convention p*V-ed an ordinance today ta tevv and collect a tat of one-arxiaaiith efeM per cent, k also re<| tiraa the Siete Tree' kurer to advance $40,000 to tha duburej lug dllicvr of ibe Convention. AlLASTt. flee. "0 ?Vli? flAfnmiuina. ?r ?ent |o Mille.lue*ille l>r lit* Cn?**?'5o* | | ?.o $40 000 from tlie HttrteTreefettry to fMbrftt tipntM Hm tot areed end M parMM 'J be buue TlttMNC ' ?*i<) that he we? under bond* not la. p*/ ,<4Ul joy of the public roonie* except on a wurrnnt ruined by (he ftofeMrer. The VP tnnde PO eppfcelteil *? Ooeefnof Jen km*. The Kmiim* Coin' mi 1 tee bee Uded t# ee*<**u? ? Joe* * | meet the Conventum expeeeae ? >tb <W' ,? . eA The Cltil "Rights BUI in *eW1e-*?f. , jT ' dr -Hoftoft Found GttiHy. \ \fobHc, fteebtohor Tmt triei 0/ iMeyor Horlon, |N?f>d*e appointed, for * ??#4?Won U the OnUtKieine Hill, in the !c*%4 of Arcl|i< Joho?'>n b?? ' conr(ii<f?*o. Vii* wm o<5c*?T<"?n*<l by 'VhfW/jA! b.^ninlifnont of?*!d Johoaato 'from th* e??v. Tlift cim ? *r2.n?d bftM* Jud?r* BiMKMd, o/ th? U. *. D rtri?t < li?? ciu? ?rok?<i con*i<iar?l>U ioleresl ib<? A of | jjuJiv ?m r?n>!?re<), ?n<l Ibft Major Mil t.nc'eJ lo pay a (U of *?M). ' ?* MW ?_Mft_' ni |'.J?| I TIliC \lAUKliT8. , Charimtox,". l>?r?anb*r iAd.- V?H? | ran**) from 13 U> 15 c?ftU p?r 1,* Now YorH, |>4<M?nt*r if J ?Co'ion ft I ibftd'i *?'*? 1800 hat?*? 13 1-3 ftii'fli 5-i c?n^l. Out* 133.