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gm ppM "S?TT & CO., Proprietors ANDERSON 0. H., S. G,, THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 11. *373. VOLUME IX.?NO. 23. From'the' Vtica [N.' T.) Observer.. THE STORY OF WX. M. TWEED, A Plain Narration of His Life and the Rise and Fall of the Famous Ring. Twelve years, ia the ipenitentiary at Black welPs Island and a fine of $12,750. This was the penalty pronounced against William M. Tweed, in the Court of Qy-cr and Terminer, by Judge Noah Davis, on Saturday afternoon. At 1 o'clock on Sunday morning the prisoner was taken to the Tombs,.and. in that Egyptian pile of .more than Egyptian misery he is now con? fined/ The last act of the drama is played. The man who a little while ago was a senator, a supervisor, a commissioner?-the chief power an the chief city of the continent?is now a condemned convict If any measure of suc? cess attends the efforts of his, counsel to secure a mitigation of sentence, a stay of proceedings, or a new. trial, it will not alter the essential feet phat Tweed's place henceforth is with the outlaws of society. It is time to consider the man's life and character with the-same calm, dispassionate view that we shonld take of the dead, for Tweed is dead beyond the hope of resurrection. .^LYfilliam M. Tweed was born in the city of New York fifty years ago last April. His pa? rents were .poor people, and the boy was early thrownupon his own resources. He learned the-trade of a chair-maker, and worked at it for a few year3-. He soon became ambitious of political distinction, and to increase his quali? fications and improve his chances he entered the University Law School, from which he graduated as a member of the bar. His power Began in the old volunteer fire departmcut of the metropolis. He became foreman of "Big Six"?an engine company famous in the lower part of the city. His immense vital energy and his organizing ability were here developed and exhibited. In that day a popular fireman Was. "positive power in local politics, and Tweed, began to make himself felt In 1851 he was elected alderman from the Seventh ward, serving in the Common Council through the years 1852-'53. In the fall of 1852 he was elected to Congress from the fifth district, which then embraced the Sereuth and l^nrteeuth wards of New York and the village of Williamsburgh, L. I. He took his seat in the Housein December, 1853i white his term as alderman was about expiring. He was thir? ty years old at that time-, with the promise of a ?r future before him. While in Congress he was elected school commissioner of the Seventh ward. The year after his term as representa? tive expired" he was chosen Nto the board of su? pervisors, and continued to hold a place there until the day of his overthrow. In 1861 he was candidate for Sheriff on the Tammany ticket' The office is one of enor? mous emolument, and Tweed struck for it with his usual energy. He reckoned himself worth $80,000 at that time, and he had made the money honestly. He expended the last dollar of it iu the canvass, led on by the hope aud belief that he would triumph. He was beaten, arid during the winter winch followed he found great 'difficulty in meeting the house-rent and paying his butcher's and grocer's bills. It is probable that his career as a public plunderer dates from the day of his defeat as sheriff. He'was not a fine-grained man nor troubled with -many conscientious scruples. He saw tumself as the victim of what he looked upon a3 a conspiracy. He had distributed his money ..among various ward organizations in return for their promised assistance. They divided his fortune and withheld their support He re? solved to* "get even" with the public, who had preferred another to him, and ne set about the job with the coolness, of a great general and I the wickedness of a great robber. In 1862 he became deputy street commissioner, and while holding that office he got his hand freely into . the public purse for the first time. At about the same period he made himself the leading spirirln the Tammany organization. He showed soojLthat his power as an organ? izer was very great He drew men around him usually by appealing to their selfish natures. T?'orie he'gave money to another, some place honor and trust He proceeded on the the? ory that every man had his price. If a rival arose to dispute his authority he crushed that rival if he could, and if he couldn't he crushed ;the rivalry by supporting the man for some office and thus making, him his ally. In this way he spiked the guns of Fernando Wood, and called a truce with, his popular enemy, the "Bi? Judge," jaitchaeX Connolly. In 1867, Richard B. Connolly, a timid man, plausible in manners but exceedingly corrupt at heart, became controller, of New York. ?rVlth him Tweed formed an alliance. Connol? ly was greedy and close-fisted. He never could secure a popular following. He held office at the pleasure of Tweed, who was, how? ever, compelled to share equally with him in the division of the money plundered from the city. That same year (1867) Tweed was elect? ed to the State Senate from the Fourth district by a large majority. In the Senate he found a majority opposed to him politically. How he used that majority to effect his purpose is one of the chronicles of Albany which is vet to be written, We may undertake the task hereaf? ter. In 1869 Tweed found a counsellor far wiser and much more honest than himself in the person of Feter B. Sweeney. He also found a flippant but brilliant advocate in A. Oakey - Hall, a man free from corrupt motives, but one willing.to blind his eyes to the crimes commit? ted around him as a reward for temporal power and pleasant notoriety. When these four men ?Tweed, Connolly, Sweeney and Hall?joined their various forces and talents the Tammany conspiracy was complete. In 1870 the first revolt-against this concentrated power began. It was badly planned and disreputably officered. Norton, Genet, Creamer, Peter Mitchell, Mi? chael JIurphey, and othera who led the move? ment in the Legislature, were not the men through whom reform could come. It looked for a time, however, as if the move? ment would succeed. Tweed was beaten in the preliminary skirmish in the Senate. He pre? tended to surrender, and voted for the charter of the Young Democracy. Bnt he had secretly formed an alliance with the Republican party in the Legislature and could afford to bide this time. Meantime his rivals had lost their heads. In the flush of temporary success they divided?on paper?all the offices in the city amongst themsel ves. The charter under which this grand distribution was to take place was taken to the Assembly, where it was understood that it would pass by general consent; but to the amazement of many, and to the dismay of the Young Democracy, it was defeated, Tweed's rivals surrendered at discretion. Creamer, Norton, Mitchell?all but Genet? sued for terms of peace. The next week Tweed's charter was iutroduced, and receiving the support of all the Republican senators ex? cepting Thayer, of Reunselaer, it passed. "Tub was followed by other measures which made the power of the ring well-nigh absolute. It was then that the system of plunder began to work out its amazing results. Bills of the city were deliberately raised from $50,000 to $500,000, aud the enormous excess divided be tween Connolly and Tweed, who in turn shared part of the money with subordinate strikers. Hall looked on and held his peace. Sweeney put forth an effort to stop the stealing, but was overborne. The accounts of the c mtroller's office were secreted, and the general public, as well as the Democratic party, were hoodwinked and misled. Among those who sought to profit in the general carnival of fraud was James O'Brien, Who, as Sheriff of New York, had received upward of $300,000 for three years' service After retiring from office he cooked up a bogus claim aggregating $200,000 and demanded its payment. The Board of Audit refused to consider it, although Tweed espoused O'Brien's bad cause. To strengthen his chances ot get ?ting the money, O'Brien placed a confidential clerk in the controller's office and secured transcripts of the fraudulent vouchers therein ; contained. Armed with these evidences of the fnilt of his former comrades, he again deman ed his plunder. It was again refused. The ring bad grown so bold and they felt that their lease of power was so long and strong that they could brave any exposure. j Thereupon O'Brien turned his evidence over to the New York Times, and that paper pub? lished it. The effect was startling, with one voice the people demanded the punishment of these men who had betrayed so great a trust. They were thrust out of the Democratic party, whose temple they had defiled. - Said Judge Davis in sentencing Tweed : "O'Connor, who has been named here, and who holds the fore? most rank in his profession, and who stands without a stain upon a character as pure' and noble as any man's in this great city, immedi? ately from his semi-retirement came and aided in the rescue of this city from its great corrup? tion. And Tilden, who stood as the leading man at the head of the Democratic State Corn mitte of this State, devoted weeks and months of toil in ferreting out these crimes, in ascer? taining from these bank accounts what had been done, till he was able to lay before us the other day on the trial the result, crystalline in its simplicity, and so clear that no man could fail to read its meaning." Against a feeling of wrath which was uni? versal Tweed opposed the power of his ill-got? ten wealth. He doubtless oelieved that no ju? ry could be found to convict him. His courage did not forsake him. While Connolly slunk away to other lands to avoid punishment, Tweed stayed and fought it out. How the fight ended is told in the heavy sentence passed upon the great public plunderer. The Atlanta Convention of Farmers. The Patrons of Husbandry and representa-1 tives of Agricultural Societies throughout the Cotton States met in Atlanta, Ga., on Tuesday, 25th of November. The session lasted two days, and was harmonious and enthusiastic. About one hundred and fifty delegates were present, when the meeting was called to order, and Rev. D. E. Butler was chosen temporary chairman, and J. J. Toon as temporary secre? tary. The afternoon proceedings were devoted to a discussion of the question of direct trade. Several speeches were made, and among them some that were very interesting. In the evening the permanent officers were chosen as follows: President?D. E. Butler, of Georgia. Vice Presidents?Dr. H. R. Cook, of South Carolina; S. J. Harrington, of Alabama; L. Russell, of Tennessee; M. F. Berry, Mississip? pi ; and G. W. Evans, Georgia. Secretary?J. D. Waddell; J. J. Toon and E. Heyser, Assistants. The Committee on Business reported as fol? lows, which was adopted: Resolved, That it is the policy of cotton planters to utilize the value of cotton as much as practicable, first to manufacturing as large a portion as possible of the staple and the bal? ance to sell direct to the manufacturer. Resolved, That we recognize the moral obli? gation and wise policy of employing all practi? cable means to cancel existing debts, and that th*e creditor manifest forbearance, and that the debtor exhaust all available resources to respoud to the claims upon him. Resolved; That we advise cotton planters now embarrassed with debt to seek the most favora ? ble terms with their creditors as to the sale of their cotton. Resolved, That we respectfully request our representatives in Congress to have the cotton tax refunded, and that it be paid to the produ? cer. The following resolution was likewise adop? ted: Resolved, That this convention, through its president, do petition Congress to so modify the existing patent laws at t!;.;ir approaching session, as hereafter to require all articles cov? ered by a renewal of patent to be sold by the patentee at not more than twenty-five per cent, above cost of manufacturing. On Wednesday, the Business Committee made the following report, which was adop? ted: Whereas, the Southern States possess vast mines of coal and iron, for need of proper de? velopment are now useless, and consequently valueless; and whereas, the miner must be fed and clothed as well as the manufacturer, ren? dering the farmer, the manufacturer and the miner mutually dependent on each other, and every aid giveu to one of these branches of in? dustry is mutual in its benefits; therefore, Resolved, That we look upon the develop? ment of the coal and iron interests of our sec? tions as a matter demanding not only the at? tention of the capitalist and financier, but of every man in our section who desires our future prosperity and advancement. Whereas, it is a well established fact that the surplus products of all descriptions are valueless to us without a market, and that to secure a profitable market cheap transporta? tion is of prime importance to the prosperity not only of the agricultural, but of the com? mercial, manufacturing and mining interests of the country; and whereas, our present means of reaching market are inadequate to.our wants and the need of the country. Resolved, That cheap transportation is of the first importance to the country, and that we will go heart and hand with our brethren of the West in securing it. Resolved, That we look upon the construc? tion of the Atlantic and Great Western Canal and the inlaud water communication along the Gulf toward the East as a matter of deep in? terest to the prosperity of Georgia and the South, and we, therefore, earnestly request our representatives in Congress and in the State Legislature to urge by every proper means its importance upon the Federal Gov? ernment. Resolved, That the resources of our farmers are large and the recuperative energy of the country great, and that a return to the cash system as soon as practicable would insure the prosperity of the country on a solid basis. Resolved, That we recommend the State Grange at its next meeting shail appoint a State chemist, in order to protect the Patrons of Husbandry against imposition and worthless fertilizers. The majority report on refunding the cotton tax was adopted as follows: a That we respectfully request our representa? tives and senators in Congress to urge the en? actment of a law restoring to the legitimate claimant the unconstitutional tax imposed upon the cotton crops of 1862 to 1867, inclu? sive. Mr. T. J. Smith, of Washington County, of? fered the following, which was adopted : Resolved, That the resolution, as passed by the meeting of yesterday, relati/e to propor? tioning the crop in planting next year, that is, one-third in small grain, one-third in corn, and one-third in cotton, be taken by each member of this convention to his constituents, or a del? egate of Granges of Patrons of Husbandry to each of their Granges, State and subordinate, and impress upon them the great importance of this resolution, and urge that it be carried out to the letter. The following resolutions were adopted : Resolved, That this convention urge upon the farmers and patrons of the South to devise, at the earliest possible period, the best means to have the Southern people co-operate in the centennial movement by being ready to supply and exhibit such agricultural and horticultural products as may be cultivated upon our farms, gardens and orchards. Resolved, That it is the sense of the conven? tion that Congress should so modify the tariff laws that imposts be gathered from nothing but such articles as are by common conaent denom? inated luxuries. Resolved, That the presiding officer appoint a committee of one from each State represented in this convention, whose duty it shall be to report to this convention the expediency of making arrangements whereby the planters may make shipment direct to Europe of their cotton. Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that as soon as proper arrangements can be made the planters are advised to send a por? tion of their cotton to European markets. Resolved, That in view of making our farms self-sustaining by sowing down one-third of the available lands in small grain and grasses, and plant one-third in corn and one-third in cot? ton, we hereby recommend the masters of the respective Cotton States Granges to submit this policy to the subordinate granges for their adoption, and that the masters of subordinate granges be requested to urge the voluntary pledges thereto, and report the result to the masters of the State granges, who will then re? port to the president of this convention the number of subordiuatc granges in each State that have pledged themselves to this policy, and such information will be diffused through the public press by the president. The convention then adjourned to meet un? der the call of the president, on sixty days' notice through the newspapers of the Cotton State?, at such time and place as he may desig? nate. Synopsis of President Grant's Message. I The President's message was read. It opens with a reference to the financial crisis, the Grangers' movement aud the Virginius matter, which, it says, are in course of negotiation, and likely to be amicably and honorably arranged. It refers to the Vienna Exposition, which was creditable to the artisans of the United States; to the reception of the Western ambassadors by the Emperor of China, and to the need of further legislation to suppress the infamous coolie trade. The President recommends a commission for the purpose of auditing aud determining the amount to be paid for losses caused by the Con? federate privateers; refers to the mixed com? mission for determining claims between British subjects aud American citi2ens, and asks for an appropriation to pay the amount of decisions against the United States. It also recommends a law creating a special court of three judges to hear and determine all claims of aliens against the United States arising out of acts committed against their persons and property during the insurrection. It asks the decision of Congress on the subject of the action of the Ottoman and Egvptian governments relieving foreign consuls of judicial powers. The Presi? dent transmits the application of the republic of Santo Domingo, that the United States shall exercise a protectorate over that republic. The message discusses at some length the question of the right of expatriation, particularly as to citizens of the United States residing perma? nently ftbroad with their families, rnd suggests legislation on the subject. It refers to the es tabl'shment of a republic in Spain, and to the efforts of the new government to abolish slave? ry in all its dominion, which efforts are oppo? sed by the reactionary slaveholders of Cuba, who are vainly striving to stop the march of civilization. This baleful influence has thus aided in defeating the efforts of all liberal minded men in Spain to abolish slavery in Cuba, and in preventing the proposed reform in that island in the interest of humanity, of civilization, and of progress. It was to be hoped that that evil influence might be soon averted . In reference to the capture of the Virginius, and to the inhuman and illegal murder of fifty three of her passengers and crew, he says that the Spanish Government had recognized the justice of his demand, and had arranged for the immediate delivery of the vessel, and for the surrender of the survivors of the passeu gers aud crew, and for a salute to the flag, and for proceedings looking to the punishment of those who may be proved to have been guilty of illegal acts of violence towards citizens of the United States, and, also, towards indemni? fying those who may be shown to be entitled to indemnity. The correspondence on the subject had been conducted in cipher and by cable, and was therefore not in a condition to be sub? mitted to Congress. The President expresses his conviction that the expense of African slavery in Cuba is a principal cause of the la? mentable condition of the island, and docs not j doubt that Congress shares his hopes that it j will soon be made to disappear, aud that peaco and prosperity will follow its abolition. He suggests two constitutional amendments, one to authorize the President to approve so much of any measure of Congress as his judg ;' ment may dictate, without approving the I whole, aud the other to provide that when an j extra session of Congress is convened by exec? utive proclamation, legislation shall be con j fined to such subjects as the Executive may j bring before Congress from time to time in ' writing. He recommends the erection at Washington of suitable buildings for cabinet officers, and for such officials as now receive commutation for quarters; thus setting an example to the States which may induce them to erect build? ings for their Senators. The message goes very fully into the finan? cial question, and declares that the country never can have permanent prosperity until specie payments shall be reached. He recom? mends legislation prohibiting national banks from paying interest on deposits and forcing them into resumption, if only in legal tender notes. He suggests the question whether bank? ing should not be made free, but securing all j the present safeguards to biil holders. He notices the improvement in American ?hip building during tne past yoar, and hopes j for a continuance of it. : In regard to the problem of cheap transpor | tation he refers to the Erie and Illinois eanajs, j and suggests whether it would not be wise statesmanship to pledge to the States that own those canals that if they will enlarge them the general government will look after and keep lq navigable condition the great public high? ways with which those canals connect, to wit: The Hudson River, the St. Clair Flats, and the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. He recommends a government exploration of the upper Amazon River, and its tributa? ries; a revision and codification of the tariff laws, and the opening of more merits ; endor? ses the recommendation of the postmaster general for the establishment of post office savings depositories, and invites the considera? tion of Congress to the proposition for a postal telegraph. He recommends legislation in iegard to the judicial proceedings in Utah, and, also, in re? gard to the bankruptcy law, which he considers as productive of more evil than good. If not totally repealed, it should be modified in those portions providing for involuntary bankrupt? cy?those portions should be repealed. He calls attention to the immense aggregate of claims against the government, many of them growing out of the rebellion, and not a few of them fabricated and supported by false testimony. He recommends that persons hav? ing claims be required to present them at an early period, ar:^ that the personal attendance of witnesses be required by the Court of Claims. In regard to the Indian question, he recom? mends a territorial form of government for the Indian Territory. He also recommends such action as will permit the settlement of a body of Russian colonists on the public lands, and endorses the proposition for a census in 1876. He eulogizes the Washington board of pub? lic works, and speaks of the great improve? ment of the city under the operations of the board. He recommends a liberal policy on the part of Congress in defraying a part of the expenses, and suggests the establisnment here of a national university. He recommends the passage of an enabling act for the admission of Colorado as a State, and suggests the opening of a canal, for the purpose of irrigation, from the eastern slope of the Rocky mountains to the Missouri river. In conclusion, he renews his recommenda? tion for general amnesty, and says: There are a number of citizens yet laboring under disa? bilities, very small, but enough to keep up a constant irritation. There can be no possible danger to the government in restoring them to eligibility to hold office; and suggests the enactment of a law better to secure the civil rights which freedom should secure, but has not effectually secured to the enfranchisement of the slave. Thoughts for the Mouth. "The harvest is gathered, and autumn stands Serenely thoughtful with folded hands." Little remains to be done upon the farm, but to wind up the business of the year. The early maturity of the crops and the favorable autumn for all harvesting operations, have left less unfinished work than usual. Hands must now be paid off and ample arrangements made for Christmas week, when no labor can be ex? pected from the frolicsome sons and daughters of Ham. Pay the last cent due them, and place no obstacles in the way of their enjoy? ment. Any effort to restrain, will end in utter failure, without any good. We advocate a general relaxation of business and care, for both whites and blacks, at the close of the year. Family re-unions?social enjoyments, gifts and acts of kindness to the poor and suffering?let one week at least of the fifty-two be given up to these, that the fires of love and gratitude may be kindled anew. Whilst businessis right aud proper, and we ought to be "diligent" therein, let us remember that it ? not all of life to make money. It may take wings and fly away, but the gentle charities of life will not only brighten the world around us now, but follow us when we depart. Is it too much to consecrate one week in the year to the home and the heart f Although gloom and despondency have vest? ed upon the South of late, we confidently look for a brighter future. The disasters of the hour cannot fail to produce a rich harvest. We shall be more than compensated, if they put an end to the extravagance of living?to the ruinous credit system in vogue?to tho speculative spirit so rampant?to the eager haste after riches?aud if they shall restore some of the simplicity of the olden time?its frugality and thrift, its pay as you go, work within means, live within means practice. If they shall teach fanners to raise provisions at home?make axe handles and hoe helves, etc., and thus get back some of that independence, of which we have heard so much, but have seen so little of lato?if they shall induce farm? ers to keep close watch on the Dr. and Cr. columns in their operations, and thus teach them where they make and where they lose? that brains are no less important than muscle, and that theirs takes ran k at the very head of the learned professions?could these be purchased by the monetary losses of the present year, they would have beeu bought very, very far below their real value. Let us like wise men forsake the follies of the recent past, and with renewed hope, renew? ed courage and "purged vision/1 prepare for the labors of another year.?Southern Cultiva? tor. ; Fallen Men.?A writer in the Chieago Tribune has stirred up tho public mind by dis? cussing the rather odd problem of "fallen men." Society is taken to task for admitting to its ranks the unfortunate of the male ?ex, while a harrier stronger than adamant is op? posed to the introduction into that sacred area of unhappy women, who have sinned. This Chicago writer says if there is any blame at all in the matter it is with the ladies themselves, for they constitute and rule what is known as "society." Gail Hamilton says: "If women were as careful to select pure, honorable men for husbands, as men are to choose virtuous women for wives, there would be less complaint than now." To which the commentator adds this terrible, and, in many respects, truthful verdict: "Let women refuse admission to their society of men of disreputable character, with tho same degree of feminine aversion that they manifest towards a fallen woman, and, presto I society is purified at once. Let them disre? gard all claims of wealth or family position that such men bring, and simply say, as society docs in the case of the woman, that one blot upon a man debars him forever from admission to the society of tho good and pure, and it will not be long before all complainers will have no occasion to accuse society of dealing unjust with sinners. I presume that, m the event of such an experiment, young ladies might banish from their presence favored courtiers, and per? haps be obliged to attend theatres with mamma for an escort; but let us have either a cessation of this incessant croaking or an application of j the right remedy, and less talk about 'a home | for fallen men.'" J Fearful Collision at Sea and Loss of Life. London, Dec 1, 1873. The steamship Ville du Havre and ship Loch Earn came in collision on the morniDg of the 23rd of November. The first named vessel was lost and the second badly damaged. Two hundred and twenty-six of the persons on the steamship lost their lives. Eighty-seven souls were saved from the steamship, including 33 first-class passengers, 10 of whom are ladies, 29 firemen and boys, and 25 of the crew, including the Captain and five of his officers. The purser of the ill-fated steamship gives the following narrative: "We were seven days out on Saturday night. I was sleeping in my berth when the collision occurred. Hushing on deck I descried a sailing ship, and three minutes later gained the fearful conviction that the steamship was going down by the bow. Thirty or forty passengers managed to get into the longboat, and life grew strong within them when they were freed from the sinking vessel ; but, suddenly, the mizenmast fell nnd left the side of the vessel, killing or wounding nearly all of them. Immediately afterwards the main? mast fell on the deck, killing and wounding more. The water was rushing down the wind? pipe with fearful velocity. The vessel was sinking. I jumped overboard, with another, and commenced swimming towards the Loch Earn, which was half a mile off. Looking around I saw the steamer disappear, without reeling, going down head foremost. For a mo? ment a mighty shriek rent the air?the last outbreak of agony. A deathlike calm suc? ceeded the noise and tumult. The Captain re? mained on the bridge during the whole scene. He was rescued one hour later. Six officers out of fifteen were saved, all by swimming for life, with the exception of the First Lieuten? ant, who went in a boat to the Loch Earn." The Purser here added s. touching narrative of the conduct of a French priest, his calmness on deck, where he remained dispensing his blessings to the people, and continued : "The boats cruised until ten o'clock next morning, engaged in the hopeless task of pick? ing up others of the survivors. I remained on board the British ship until three o'clock and was then transferred to the American ship Tri mountain, Captain Urqnhart." Captain Urquhart gives the following narra? tive : "Ou Saturday morning I saw a vessel on the weather bow, with bowsprit gone and sails flowing, which proved to be the Loch Earn, of Glasgow, bound for New York. The Captain asked to transfer the passengers and crew of the steamer Ville du Havre, which was sunk at two o'clock that morning. All except two, a French priest and another per? son, remained to nurse the wounded. It was a .pitiful sight to behold human beings huddled together in a small cabin, heart broken and destitute of clothing, but still thankful for the hospitality which they received on the Loch Earn. "Many of them were hurt by fragments of the wreck. "I cruised around till nearly dark, and then proceeded on my voyage for Bristol. Not a vestige of the ship, or of man, woman or child, was discovered. "There was rather a heavy sea, but little wind, when the disaster occurred. "The shock was fearful. The rapidity of the steamer going down prevented launching more than a whalcboat and the captain's gig. In 12 minutes after being struck the ship went down. The terror which prevailed among the passen? gers paralyzed the efforts to save many. Many never quitted their state rooms, whole families meeting death together." London, Dec. 1,1873. The following additional particulars of the loss of the Ville du Havre have been gathered from officers and passengers at Cardiff. The Ville du Havre experienced a thick fog until the 20th. At the time of the collision the weather was clear. Little wind was blow? ing, but there was a heavy sea. The Captain had just retired and the Second Officer was in charge. The lights on the steamer were all right. The collisiou was wholly unexpected, j The Loch Earn struck the steamer amidships, and made a chasm 12 feet deep and from 25 to 30 feet wide. The exact position of the Ville du Havre at the time was latitude 47 deg. 21 .min., longitude 35 deg. 31 min. Panic took possession of the passengers. Five minutes after the collision the main and mizen masts fell across two large boat3, which were filled with people and ready for launching. The boats were crushed to pieces and many of their occupants killed and injured. In the brief interval between the collision and the sinking of the steamer the crew were able to launch only a whale boat and the Cap? tain's gig. The Loch Earn, went a mile before stopping. She then got out four boats to pick up the people struggling in the water. Mean? while the whale boat, under the command of the Second Lieutenant of the Ville du Havre, picked up one load of those who were clinging to planks, spars, &c., and took them to the Loch Earn. She returned to the scene and rescued another load. Captain Surmont, who remained on deck to the last, was rescued by this boat three-quarters of an hour after the collision. One of his oflicers swum a mile to the Loch Earn, and was hauled on board with a rope. The boats continued to search the waters in the vicinity of the disaster until there was no hope of saving more lives. The cold was intense. Many of the survivors were immersed two hours, and were almost lifeless when rescued. The ship Trimountain sighted the Loch Earn at eight o'clock a. m., six hou.H after the sink? ing of the steamer, and received the survivors as before reported. The savea speak in the highest terms of the kindness of dpt. Urquhart, her commander. There were six stowaways on board the Ville du Havre. . Increase of the Public Debt.?The "off year" in politics seems to be a bad year for the liquidation of our public indebtedness. Al? though the month of September showed a re? duction of about two millipus iu the national debt, the month of October exhibited an in? crease of over three millions, and now the official statement for the past month of No? vember presents an increse of over nine mil? lions, making the total debt, le?s cash in the treasury, December 1, $2,150,S(>2,053. It would therefore appear that the less we have of "off ears" in our political affairs the better it will e for our national pecuniary obligations. It is gratifying to learn, however, that we have nearly a hundred and fourteen millions in coin and coin certificates in the Treasury, which will bo a good thing to fall back upon in case of emergency.?X. Y. Herald. Fine Chopping.?Mr. B. C. Crawford, of our County, has made twenty-eight bales of cotton, with one mule and three hands, upon twenty-eight acres?one bale to the acre, j nine bales to the hand, and twenty-eight bales to the mule I Who can beat this? Mr. C. is a son of Mr. J. W. Crawford, of Pendleton, one of the most skillful and successful planters of the up-country, and is a worthy chip of the old block.? Abbeville Press and Banner. The Hoosac Tunnel. It is now nearly half a century since the Hoosac Tunnel became familiar to the reader of newspapers. As far back as 1825 it was gravely proposed to tunnel'the Hoosac Moun? tain, in order that a canal might be made to connect Boston with the Hudson River: at the junction of the Erie Canal with that river. Time passed on ; proposal after proposal was made; contract after contract was entered into'; but up almost until the present it has seemed as if the Hoosac Tunnel project had been kept alive merely for the benefit of politicians and contractors. It is only within the last few months that the work was so.far advanced that the public had any assurance that the tunnel would ever be completed. The present con? tractors went into the work heartily, and such has been their success that it is confidently.ex? pected that before the Fourth of July next the tunnel will be open for the purposes for which it was intended. When completed this great engineering enterprise will take rank with the greatest works of the kind which will give this age distinction in the years to come?with the Suez Canal, the Pacific Railroad and the Mont Cenis Tuunel; and the State of Massachusetts is to be congratulated on the prospective com? pletion of a work which, while it will be a gain to itself, will be an advantage to the entire Union. The labor has been long, the expense has been great, but the completed work will be a full and satisfactory reward. An idea of the magnitude of the work may be gathered from the following figures: In length the tunnel will be 25,031 feet. There will be two shafts, one of 1,028, and the other of 318 feet in depth. The rosdway will be 24 feet wide, the height from grade to roof 26 feet, the whole costing the Commonwealth of Mas? sachusetts upwards of twelve millions of dol? lars. It will be the second largest tunnel in the world. The Mont Cenis Tunnel is seven miles in length; the Hoosac will be four and three-quarter miles. What effect this new road will have on the trades, industry and commerce of the East and West has yet to be tested. After the Pacific Railroad it is the greatest piece of engineering which the United States have undertaken and all but accomplished, and its successful completion will encourage the hope that the isthmus of Panama will not much longer be allowed to obstruct the rapidly growing trade of the New World. According to ancient prophecy the rough places are to be made plain and the crooked places straight. We are seeing Seripture fulfilled every*day. Mountains are no longer barriers, and seas, no longer divide. The Hoosac Tunnel is another triumph of our modern civilization.?New York Herald. President Grant and the Ex-Confede? rates.?The Washington correspondent of the New York Herald relates the following: Colonel John S. Mosby to-day called on the Presideut, for the first time since the Virginia gubernatorial canvass. He was received most cordially by the President aud several members of the Cabinet. He offered his services in case of a war with Spain, and the President promised him a command, and said there was no immediate danger of war; but in case there should be, he had perfect confidence in the late Confederate soldiers, aud intended to give the commissions equally to the soldiers of the Fed? eral and Confederate armies He spoke of Hon. Alexander H. Stephens most kindly, and was glad that ho had been returned to Con? gress. The President said that in his forthcoming Message he intended to recommend universal amnesty. Colonel Mosby told the President that the Virginia election was not a condemnation of his (Grant's) administration, aud that he was stronger than ever in that State. The Presi? dent agreed with him, and" was not at all dis? satisfied with the result. He expressed him? self gratified at the tone of General Keinper's speeches, and favored Mosby's policy of recon? ciliation between the administration and the white people of tr 2 South. The President said that as long as he was in office the holders of appointments made through Mosby's influ? ence, should not be turned out, no matter who tried to oust them; that hereafter he intended to appoint to office from the South the best men for the positions, and that he was very much gratified at the good feeling manifested by the Virginia conservatives towards his ad? ministration, and was ready to respond to it. Immigration Prospects.?Rev. Tilman R. Gaincs expects to start for New York city on Thursday, where he will give his particular at? tention to filling all orders for immigrants that may be made by the people of the State. Mr. Gaincs has been hard at work in this matter, among other things making a tour of some of the upper counties, where he explained, and made speeches in the interest of this project. It would seem that his efforts are meeting with some of the reward they are so deserving of, as a number of orders have been received, and contracts are underway for many more. Of the first lot he will see to the forwarding of, twen? ty-eight arc to go up the Greenville road, and about as many more along the line of the Char? lotte, Columbia and Augusta road. He expects to send one hundred to Anderson county. We are authorized to state, that he will give his personal attention to the selection of cooks and house servants. Duriug Mr. Gaines' absence, his business here will be left in the charge of a well known, competent gentlemen, notice of which will be given iu due time.? Union-Her? ald. ? A Young gentleman telegraph operator iu Hartford, after repeated calls for a young lady operator in another office, at last got a response, and then he telegraphed back to her: "I have been trying to get you for the last half hour I" In a moment the following spicy reply came tripping back to him over the wires from the telegraphic maiden: "That's nothing. There is a young man here been trying to do the same thing for the last two years, and ho hasn't got mc yet." ? A good old elder of a church who was given to extravagant exaggeration, was at last called to account for his offenses r.n that r^pect, and admonished not to give way to the beset? ting sin in the future. The good old man re? ceived the admonition meetly, and earnestly said : "I know how prone I am to this fault, my brethren, and it has given me tortures of pain ; and night after night I have shed barrels of tears over it." The meeting adjourned in silence. ? Some Western papers have broached the subject of calling a convention of delegates from all of the States, to be composed of the ablest lawvers, to recommend to the State Leg? islatures a uniform system of laws and forma concerning the acquisition, enjoyment and dis? position of real and personal, property, the torms and requirements of wills, deeds, mort? gages, notes, receipts ; the rules of taking and certifying depositions and other similar mat