The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 1

i i ESTABLISHED 1829. PHILADELPHIA, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1877.. PRICE TWO CENTS. A COUNCIL OF WAR NATIONAL AFFAIRS. rHIS MORNING'S NEWS.

At Home. Saturday, 10 Duke Alexis ia in New York. weather, with ruin or snow, is pre-licteel for to-day. railroad bridge over tho Susquehanna river, Solinsgrove, has been burned. nro in North Attleboro, yestorday do-troyed Gould's block and Uodding's building.

receipts from internal Revenue Saturday fere and from customs, tcrposed to the vote of every State yot to be counted, with the view of multiplying issues, and thereby defeating the inauguration of a usurper. Southern Conservatives. Mr. Reaoah (Texas) offered the following resolution as a substitute for the above, namely Resolved, That the count of the electoral vote shall proceed without dilatory opposition to the orderly execution of the act of Congress creating the Electoral Commission, whose decisions shall be received and acted on in accordance with the provisions of the said law. A long and animated debate ensued.

On one side it waB contended that the conception of a tribunal to adjust controverted questions was a sublime act of statesmanship, freighted with the hopes and wishes of the nation but the result was disappoint, ment, mixed with grief and misfortune. It would, however, be Injurious to the Democratic party, who so strongly supported the Electoral bill, if they did not now abide the result in good faith. On the other side it was urged that it would bo better to have nn interregnum, and for the Presiding Officer of the Senate to act as President until there there could be a new election rather than submit to a fraud which should be defeated by all means known to the Constitution and rules of the House. Among those who advocated Mr. Cochran's proposition were Messrs.

Thompson, of Massachusetts; Hurd and Southard, of Ohio, and Lyndo, of Wisconsin, and among those who opposed it were Messrs. Brown, of Kentucky; Reagan, of Texas; Singleton, of Mississippi; Hill, of Georgia, and Senators Bayard and Kernan. Democratic rrotest. Mr. Bright, of Tennessee, offered the follow ng amendment to Mr.

Reagan's amendment, namely "But this resolution is accompanied with the solemn and earnest protest of the Democratic party against the gross and shameless violations of law, justice and truth contained in the decisions of the majority who signed the same in the cases of Florida and Louisiana." The resolution of Mr. Reagan, as amended by Mr. Bright, the whole oeing a substitute for Mr. Oocli-nine's proposition, was adopted by a vote of yeas, (W; nays, 40. Field's Revolutionary Proposition.

Mr. Field, of New York, oflored a resolution for the appointment of a committee of five to Inquire whether It would be expedient to withhold appropriations lor the support of the army. Mr. Willis, of New York, moved to lnythoreso-lutiod on the table, snying to withhold such supplies would be revolutionary. The effect would be to alarm the country, and, therefore, he should oppose any such legislation to the bitter end.

Mr. Field wltl drew his resolution. Messrs Field and Tucker, ol'Virpinia, suggested there be an ad-journed meeting of the caucus, but this wasobjected to and an adjournment then took place. able career In Councils he was elected Mayor aa 'Carelul Stokley." This epithet expressed the distinctive characteristic of the man. He had been careful, conscientious and Industrious, and had sought only to do his duty and serve the interests oi the people of this great city.

PKOGRESS OF LEGISLATION Ten Appropriation Bills to Complete OTHER IMPORTANT MEASURES raclilc Failroad Bills Out In the Cold The Sundry Civil Service Appropriation Bill. Washington, Feb. 18. Messrs. Holman, Atkins and Hale, sub-committee appointed to prepare tho Sundry Civil Appropriation bill, comploted It yesterday and will report It to the full House Committee on Appropriations next Monday.

The total oi the bill as prepared by the sub-coinmlttee' is about 14,000,000, which Is several millions less than that of last year's bill. The total amount recommonded lor continuing the work on public buildings Is about $1,700,000, the principal Items being, $400,000 lor Chicngo and $35,000 each for Cincinnati, St. Louis and Philadelphia. The sub-committee have also Inserted an ittni of for tho purchase of additional land for the Boston post otftoo and sub-treasury. These, and all other hems in the bill aro.

of course, still subject to change by the luil committee. State of Congressional Itusiness. It is probable that tho bill to amend the acts so as to create a sinking fund for the liquidation of the indebtedness due the government by Pacific railroad companies, will be laid aside hen the Senate resumes legislative business. This bill hag been thoroughly discussed during the past two weeks, and courb up again as the unfinished business, but the Committee on Appropriations have several bills ready, and they will press their consideration as soon as possible, There aro but twelve working davs of this session remaining, and only two of the appropriation bills have become laws, leaving ten to be disposed ot. The Consular and Diplomatic and Pension bills have bten passed.

The Indian, Fortification and Military Academy bills are before conference committee, and will tie acted upon this week. The Legislative, Judicial and Executive and the Post Office bills are ready lor the action of the Senate, and will be called up as soon as legislative business is resumed. The Naval and Deficiency bills are now before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and will be reported to tbe Senate thia week. The Sundrv Civil, River mid Harbor and Army bills have not yet passed the House of Representatives, so It will be seen that the General Appropriation bills are in a more condition than nsual, und It will be ry to have prolonged sessions to finish up theinsinittS before the 4th of March. Several of bills will, nodoubt, caue some discussion in the Senate, thouzh the five-minute rule will be applied, ar.d specchd on the pending amendment limited to Unit time.

Mr. Windom will have charge oi the Legislative bill, and Mr. Sargent the Naal bill. The others have not yet been assigned to members of the coin mittee. The House bill to provide for the sale or exchange of certain piece of land In the Walla-bout Bay, N.

to the city of Brooklyn, which passed the Senate last week, has been handed to the President for his approval. As heretofore mentioned, it provides for the appointment of a commission to consider the terms of sale, and fore sale or exchange Can take place the recom mendation of the commission must be ratified by Congress. The importance of Improving tho cob dock is so great that the oommittee are willing to recommend the sale of land mentioned in this hill, provided the piirunaee money can De wnoiiy applied saiu im provement, Jir. ixigan a Dili ior me issue or suver coin ana to make the silver dollar a loiral tender was. on Fridav last in the Senate, made the special order tor one ciocK to-morrow, mil tne proDaDtnties are mat it will not be taken up prior to the report of the Silver Commission, -which will be submitted on the '24th mst.

ine report ot that commission will be volum-nious. The Mexican Claims. Tlic Mexican Government, through its minister, Mr. Murescal, has tiled with the Secretary of State a protest agutnst the payment of several large awards found in favor of certain American citizens or corporations against that government, and testi mony nag already been tiled with a committee of the Senate, impugning the award of the umpire in the Weil case, the amount being $400,000. Tegtimony win De snortiy produced in order to show that two other claims, each of a much larger amount than the Weil care, are illegal and fraudulent.

Louisiana and tbe Administration. The administration has not as yet taken action regarding the Louisiana Gubernatorial question. The President said several weeks ago that he would ni do so pending the Investigation by committees oi Congress into the eleotion of that State, hut It is tupi osed that after the vote shall be counted in the toini meeting oi tne two houses or consrress he will ct me to some determination as to Louisiana, as well as to South Carolina, in relation to the Governor- enip. Texas Pacific. The friends of the Texas Pacific Railroad have determined to make no further effort to rus their bill this session.

They Uiink there is no doubt whatever that the bill would pass, could a vote be legitimately reucneo. Brief Mention. The House sub-committee to Investigate the uso of troops at Petersburg, on November 7, was In session yesterday, and examined L. L. Lewis, United States district attorncr; P.

Ramariell. United States marshal, and B. W. Hoxcy, assistant district attorney, nut notbing was elicited oi im portance. The Treasury now holds $.189,600,000 In bonds to secure national bank circulation, and $19,149,000 to secure puunc aepomts; outgtandlng legal tenders.

outstanding national bank circulation, currency notes, srold notes. ii.t28.goo; receipts of national bank notes for redemption last wee, 4.zvo,uuu. A number of Southern members of Congress, to gether with representative men of the South, will call on the President to-morrow to request him to take no action on tne gubernatorial questions in Louisiana and South Carolina, but to leave it to the determination oi nis successor. LABOR QUESTION. A Committee of the Strikers on the Boston and Maine Railroad Before the State Com missioners.

Bostos, Feb. 18. Yesterday the committee of the Striking engineers on the Boston and Maine railroad, and Mr. Arthur, the chief of the Brother hood, were heard by the State railroad commls sloners, each under oath. Their statements in sub.

stance were that they had been treated harshly and unfairly, and no disposition had been shown to deal honorably by them The grading of the pay, as heretofore, was done away with by Smith, tne engine despatches against whom tne men are very nitter, and a disposition was seen to drive out the older men and putting in cheaper men, and also to keep tne vounger men on low nay. Three of the oldest engineers, one of whom bad been in the employ of the road thirty-six years, and another thirty-three years, had been reduced in pay since February. The brotherhood would support a man in a strike they approved until he trot einiiiojment, even it lor ten years; tne mem bershfp of the order was about 13,000, embraced ninety per cent, of the reliable engineers of tbe con tinent, and was increasing aaay. Trenton's Unemployed Potters. TuEirroif, Feb.

18. The unemployed potters, to tne numoer oi bix nunnrea, paraded tne streets yes terday with muslo and banners, on which are ln scribed, among other mottoes, "We court arbitration," "High tariff means low wages," "Right must conquer might," "Labor has rights which capital is bound to resjiect," "Free trade means prosperity," "A fair day's pay for a fair day's work." The pro cession was very oroeny. statement that ranee Nicholas has as sented to the proposal of conducting at Constantt nople the negotiations between the Porte and Mon A DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS SATURDAY Prudence the Better Part of Valor The COPPERHEADS OVERRULED The Southern Members the ConserTatives FIELD AND COCHRANE SNUBBED Dilatory Opposition Voted Down SPECIAL DESPATCH TO TUK INQUIRER. Washington, Feb. 18.

When the Houso met Saturday tho Democrats had not recovered from their confusion and dospair arising from tho hs of Louisiana and the Oregon exiicsure1, and it was necessary tondjourn over to Monday to enable tlum to get a breathing spell and rally their forces to make a respectable retreat, or a tight If enough could be found for the latter purpose. The Scene In the House. The House did not get to business vntil twelve o'clock, and the Senate had before tlino pa'scd a resolution informing the House that they were ready to meet In joint session, and when the Chaplain had finished prayer the Secretary of the Senate us at the door with his message In his hand. An unbroken line of precedents required his prompt recognition fcy the Speaker; but this would not suit Ids party tactics. His friends were not ready for action, and so he allowed tho reading of tho previous day's journal to commence and go on to the end, taking twenty-five minutes, and then, without recognizing the Secretary, who had 8nt word of his presence to him by the Doorkeeper, his usual custom, he gave the floor to Lamar to move a resolution ol notice to the Senate that they would bo received on Monday, and on Mr.

Kasson protesting against his refusing to receive the message from the Senate he sharply ordered him to sit down, and, with an arbitrary ruling, re fused to allow anything to be done or said except as related to the Lamar resolution, which was carried by nearly a strict party vote, and then he received the Senate request, but followed it with Lamar'g second resolution for a recess till Monday, which carried by the same party vote. A joint Democratic eiucus waa at once ordered for Saturday evening, but the Interest in Tilden had so rapidly vanished that when the hoar for the caucus came not one-half of the Democrats attended, and many treated It with levity, terming it a wake. It was a very tame affair. The Southern Democrats would not fight, and the forty men who had opposed tho Eleotoral bill were the only ones who had any courage left. Even with them hope had died, and after putting an expression of belief in Tilden's election, they graciously allowed the ount to go on by a vote of two to one, thus deciding that there ahould be no revolutionary proceedings started at this time.

The Programme for To-Day. To morrow the two houses meot at eleven o'clock, and, on receiving the report of the commission on Louisiana, they will separate and each take two hours for debate if they desire. The Senate la not likely to want It, but the House will, and by the time a roll call is had it is not likely they will get together again to proceed with the count before Tuesday. There are double returns from South Carolina and from Oregon, and on each the com mission must aot, which may cost a day, which will make the final count come about Friday or Saturday. There Is not likely to be any argument over South Carolina, and none over Oregon, except It be on the question of whether there is more than two votes in Oregon or not.

The cipher telegrama destroyed the last ray of hope of Tilden'a having any vote there, and it is not improbable that the Democrat will decline to enter into any arguments over either Oregon or South Carolina, as their feeling over the situation is one of blind rage. They storm, but see no way of escape. If Hayes' life was all that stood between Tilden and the White Houso Hayes would never reach it. If his death would benefit them there are hundreds of adventurers here who have hung on to the Tilden camp hoping for office and profit from his success who are now bankrupt in fortune, and, having nothing to lose, would ven ture anything. These men are generally foul In the bar rooms and hotel corridors curaing their own party men who agreed to the commission, but in all this city none have been found to-day bold or ignonnt enough to expect Tilden to ever reach the Whlto House.

Senator Kelly's Explanation. Senator Kelly presented a pitiful spectacle, yesterday, in the Senate, aa he stood with his head caat down, trying to explain how it was possible for him to have been the dupe of Patrick and Tilden, and not an accomplice. He seemed to be suffering great agony. His voice trembled, and his appeal for charitable construction of his own acta aeemed to come from way down in his heart. While there were many who pitied him, there were few who ac cepted his statement aa the truth, and it is possible when Patrick is heard from be may have to take his share of the infamy.

The bank cashier still refuses to testify as to Til-den's and Pelton'a accounts, and will be brought up to-morrow for contempt There are more skeletons to be covered up, and, as a means of intimidating the Republicans from pressing their inquiries, Dudley Field has sent for all the Republicans who had anything to do with the campaign, and expecta to find something crooked. In this he is doomed to disappointment. Tbt associated press. The Copperhead Controlled by the Conservative Element of the Party. Washington, Feb.

17. The Democratic Senators held a caucua this afternoon concerning the political situation, but took no action except to agree to meet with the House Democratic caucus to-night. The latter met at half-past seven, Representative Cly-mcr, of Pennsylvania, presiding. The Copperheads. The following resolution was offered by Mr.

Walling, of Ohio, but received only thirteen votes Bcsolved, That, in view of the fuot that the ao canea commission nave refused to receive evidence of the frauds charged in the recent elections or the ineligibility of electors, it la our duty, as representatives of the ueonle. to do no further Wis. la tion recognizing said commission or meet in joint session 10 luruicr me count oi me electoral vote under its decisions. Filibustering Proposition. Mr.

Cochrane, of preamble ana resolution substantially as follows Whereat, The Electoral Commission waa created in good faith, with a view to the examination of eviuence and all questions which pertain to the disputed votes of Florida, Louisiana and Oregon; and, whereas, said commission, in disregard of their oaths, fraudulentlly ref used to obey the law and the will of the people by defeating such examination; therefore. Betolvtd. That it fa the duty of Coneress. which it owes to the Democratic party and the American people to defeat the fraudulent acts of aald commttt- Norwegian ship "Protector" went ashore Hlllsboro Inlet February 12, coast of Florida. Orleans despatches deny the report that a novenent of the White League Is contemplated.

Bragdon, a girl who was bitten by a dog September last, died In Boston on Saturday of lydrophobia. fire In Toledo, Saturday, slightly dannged he Chamber of Commerce, but the damage by rater Is colored man nominated by the Democrats Chcstor has withdrawn, saying he was on the ther side of the fence, N. Ernst bus been arrested in New York tmrged with the murder of the young lady found cad on Stuten Island. Vance has recognized Wade Hampton Governor of South Carolina, communlcattnj; with iin relative to fugitives from justlco now In jail in lat Stnte. Alexander fell through an elevator atehway thirty-five foot, to tho basement of the ore No.

105 Summer street, Boston, Saturday, and as killed. loss by the fire In O'Donnoll's cooper shop, Morris street, Jersey City, at midnight of Fri-ay, was $13,000. Tho cooper shops are the largest the State. is said the government Intends to call the at-ntion of several foreign Powers that their repre-mtntlvcs persistently reside in Now York, Instead tal Washington. schooner "Henry A.

Paul," from Matanzas New York, with a cargo of sugar, has put In to Wilmington, N. distressed. She was dismasted February 4, off Hatteras. I W.Clark, Benjamin Williamson and I 'illlam SilUnghost have beon appointed receivers the property located in New York of the Lehigh id Wllkesbarre Coal Company. At Minneapolis, Friday evening, Wll- im H.

Sidle, assistant cashier of the First Na- nal Bank of that city, was shot In the head and ortally wounded by a young woman named Kate oonon. Governor of Montana has approved the bill anting a subsidy of $170,000 for the construction of narrow-gauge railroad from Franklin, Idaho, to slena; the bill to go before the people on the Ih of April next for ratification. It wag discovered that two tin boxes, the Bafc of King bankers, of No. 61 WU street, Now York, containing over 1180,000 In nited States bonds, mortgages, securities, been stolen by some unknown person. Ancient Order of Hibernians of New Jor- at a meeting held Friday evening, denounced Mollle Maguirea and called upon the National oneil to take steps to Inquire whether any such ranitaUon exists among the members of the der.

jury In the trial of Patrick Crowley, for irder at tJtlca, N. have been discharged be ige they had received a book from outside parties thout the knowledge of the court. The book was -opy of the Revised Statutes; this Irregularity 8 held to nullify any verdict they might render. bill toreorganiie the county governments passed both houses of the North Carolina Le- dature, and Is now a law. The Legislature under law will elect justices of the peace, and thoy will ict the various county officers.

Every county gov. lment will be Democratic as soon as this bill goes effect. Rothschild attempted to commit suicide Cincinnati on Saturday by shooting. It has nsplred that he murdered Bessie Moore in Jef. son, Texas, some time ago, where they had been pping at a hotel.

Bothschild was a commercial veler for a house In Cincinnati. His wound Is fatal, and he will be taken to Texas for trial. -The schooner "Louisa A. Johnson," from Phlla- phia, coal-laden, (truck on York ledge Friday 1 came off leaking badly, filling so rapidly that va a necessary to run her ashore in a cove near -tland (Me.) Headlight. She will be a total loss, insurance.

1 he crew were aaved with part of ir luggage. A part of the coal cargo may be ed by divers. despatch from Deadwood states that on Fri- night the Indians ran off about two hundred id cf cattle from Spcarfish. An armod force of nty men left here about midnight to try and re- ture them. Two men came in who reported that Indians drove them from their work about a mile Deadwood.

General Crook has ordered two re companies of cavalry from Camp Robinson to scene. J. Belden, who published a letter doting the Republican nomination fer Mayor of acuse, was nominated again Saturday at- loon by the Republican Convention and ac. ted. The Democratic City Uonvention aocepted declination of James S.

Crouse, who waa nomi ed ior Mayor on Thursday, and placed in nomi ion John K. Whitlock, who waa previously no- as the citizens' candidate. A Massachusetts paper says that one David lord, of Fall River, who was sentenced to the 8e of correction Wednesday morning, stated the witness stand that he had already served nty-two terma In that Institution. He has 2r now In confinement there, and the sentence brother expired Wednesday. At one time htm- his brother, two sisters and father were con in jail for various mlsdemeanora, larceny al being a favorite weakness with the Clifford Abroad.

Central America is reported quiet. New guano deposits have been discovered In The Darien Canal Expedition will complete its rs this month. 3reat interest la manifested in Ireland over the oective arrival of John O'Mahoney's body. The Liverpool Courier asserts that the Duke of iburg, for domestic reasons, haa resigned the nand of her Majesty steamship "Sultan," and turning to England. 1 despatch from Georgetown, Prince EdwarcV the winter navigation steamer rthern Light" haa been badly damaged by ice.

will have to lay np two weeks for repairs. iince General Blanco assumed command of the of the Brazos in behalf of the government of ral Diaz, he has been assiduously engaged ionizing the various armed factions existing, der to restore tranquility to the frontier. Cor- la going to the City of Mexico. i London telegram states that the German DerPommer," Captain Bohn, from. New.

for Charleston, hag been towed into Geeste-le partially dismasted. Sho lost her sails, and of the crew were drowned. The Norwegian te "Kong Harold," Captain Sehwtnge. fmm THE POPULAR CHOICE FOR MAYOR, WM, S. STOKLEY CLOSING THE LINES The Final Rallies of the Campaign SATURDAY NIGHT'S GATHERINGS Big Meetings in Various Places A LARGE OUTPOURIStt IN MAMIUNK Overflow Gathering Down Town 19th AND 31st WARDS IN LINE Earnest Addresses by Able Orators Saturday evening was the closing nlght'of tbe city campaign, In the matter of public meetings, and it was the occasion of large gatherings of voters In many of the largest halls of the city.

The three weeks of active conflict have been full of Interest, for the contest between the two candidates for the Mayoralty has been conducted by their friends with extraordi nary skill and ability. The ablest speakers of each party have been brought into service, and many men of eminence In professional life, men of wealth and of commercial social standing, who have had nothing to gain, but much ease and comfort to lose, have been prompt, at the call of tho party managers, to offer their services at the evening meetings. While the contest has not been so bitter as that of three years ago, and has not probably excited as much interest, for the reason that the candidate of the opposition to Mayor Stok-ley has not the strong support that his opponent had in that campaign, there still has been no point of possible vantage left uncovered by the opposing managers. Steadily increasing in Interest, the meetings have grown night by night In number, and In number of attendants. of Saturday evening, the details of which are given In the succeeding columns, were the best attended of the campaign.

The speakers were In most cases much fatigued by the labors of the campaign, but their presentation of the Issues of the hour and the claims of candidates were none the less vigorous. The great news of Friday night, giving assurance that the Republican party will conduct the government of the nation for four years to come, intensified the enthusiasm of the Republican audiences, and gave the speakers an Inspiration that made them forget their fatigue. MANAYUNK. MOKSTJB MEETING AT MASONIO HALL THE TWENTT-FIH8T WARD PROMISING THB USUAL EIGHT HUNDRED MAJORITY THE MOST BRILLIANT SPEECH 07 THE CAMPAIGN FROM BENJAMIN HARRIS BREWSTER OTHER SPEECHES BT MR. SHAPLST.

GENERAL BINGHAM AND MAYOR STOKLEY. The meeting' at Masonic Hall, one of the best attended of all the meetings of the campaign. The hall Is a large one, but it had not more than half the capacity needed for the crowd that assembled. Every foot of space was packed, the lobbies and stairways were overflowing, and hundreds, nnable to gain ad mission, went away from the place while the meeting was In progress. The stage and the walls were half-covered with flags, and tbe solid body of mechanics, manufacturers and merchant who sat below them showed by their resounding cheers, when the speakers pointed to the ensigns, that they were hearty Republicans, ana felt at home near sucn drapery.

THE CHAIRMAN'8 SPEECH. The meeting was called to order at half-past seven o'clock, and Mr. William A. Simpson, who had been selected for president, took the chair and addressed the audience briefly. He said the obtect of the meeting was to further the candidature of William S.

Stokley for Mayor of Philadelphia. The men who had come out In such large numbers to express their approval of the couiaeof the Centennial Mavor would be satisfied with the result ot this campaign on the evening of Tuesday next Tne chairman said he cad known Mr. Stokley for more than fifteen years, waa faml- ine Dana eave a little music, ana tne names of the vice presidents and secretaries was read. The following is the list of names: Vice Pretidcntt, Secret ar let. John Piatt, William Wisrterbottatn, William McLiughlin.

A. w. UiVCP, John I. Morris, George W. Miller, Wm.

Allen, W. Clark JohuBon, Dnvtd Steel, John Flanagan, jnsepn jviues, William Thomaa. Samuel Rutherford, J. Andrew Markley, John Kenwortny, Joseph Hirst, illiam King, George West Blake, wiuiam Ayres, William P. Hill.

Isaac uearniey, Jacob Longbine, John Boyd, John White, Christ. Reamshart, William A. Simpson, Joseph R. Davis, Peter Lindsay, 1 nomas Kenwortny, Gabriel Krown, -John U. Burkmlre, Richard ration, John Dyson, George Moyer, nomas Kawungs, wnitoy, Edward Clegg, R.miinl (I.iiui wuiutbi wnght, Charles Hoone, Harry S.

Ogle, Samuel Welsh, Samuel Rittenhouae, I Henry Leadbeater. THE RESOLtTIOSS. The following preamble and resolutions were then adopted: Whereat, We, cltlaens of Philadelphia, feel instly proud of the record of good government awarded to our city by the whole vlsitlnif world during the past Centennial year; and her eat, We desire to perpetuate it, and preserve our fame, In not only guaranteeing, but giving protection to life and property, and equal rights under the law to all as achieved by the late war; therefore, belt Retolved, That In the Hon. William S. Stokley, William Nelson West, and Albert O.

Roberts, we acknowledge the true exponenta of Republican principles, and we hereby pledge them our undivided influence and support at the approaching eleotion. MAYOR BTOKLEY'S PLEDGE. The chairman then Introduced Mayor Stokley to the audience aa "the present and future Mayorof niuaaeipiiia." wnentne cneenng naa auosuiea Mayor Stokley apologized to the audience for coming first npon the stage, saying that he had two other meetings to attend on this the last night ol the campaign. Citizens, he said, would understand by his past record what his future services would be. Five years ago the people of the Twenty-first Ward had expresBod their confidence in him by a large majority of votes.

Since then he had been doing his best, not only for them, hut for all the wards in the city. If elected this year, as he felt confident be would be, he would promise only to continue doing what be had already done. Mayor Stokley waa loudlv cheered, and left the hall, while the applause and expressions of good will from individuals in the audience were continued. SPEECH OF RUFUS E. SHAPLEY, ESQ.

Rufua Shapley, Esq waa then Introduced and made an able and convincing speech in the following words: The old Greeks had an idea of an awful, mysterious, Inexorable power which they call fate, by which goda and men were driven on blindly aud helplessly to ruin. Mr. Uaven seems to be harried on by some such fatal power to defeat and dishonor. Goaded to despair by seeing the coveted prise of the Mayoralty receding from his reach, stung to madness by the expoaure of his duplicity, convicted of hypocrisy and untruthfulness by his own record, unable to answer or justify himself, be now stoops to the contemptible trick of printing one speech and making another. After throwing up hla hands and crying for quarter, after saying, on Monday night, "there is no occasion in this contest for calling hard names or descending to low personalities or base I find that hia speeches, night after night, hare been lull of low scurrility I mean the speeches he had the courage to make behind the backs of those he abused, but which he did not have the manliness toprint.

(Applause.) I am glad that this contest is practically ended, and that alter to-night I will hare no occasion again to speak of Mr. Caven. It has not been a pleasant duty to be compelled to attack him night after night, to strip him and point out his imperfections, to tear from him the mask cf reform and ex- Eose the face of a pretender. (Cheers.) Had he een modest and discreet enough to have remained silent, he would have been spared the punishment which he deserved and haa received. He charged Mayor Stokley with being responsible for the large increase of tne debt of the city, but when the journal ot Common Council waa carefully examined it showed that the man who made thiff charge had himself countenanced or voted for all the expenditures since he has been in office, except about two per cent, of the whole amount, and tliut hia few negative votes were cast at the very time when he waa a candidate for the Chair.

It showed, further, that he had been pursuing a systematic policy of "dodging" in order to enable him aa candidate for Mayor to go before the people and try to hoodwink them with his professions and promises of reform. It showed further that in hla speeches he had been guilty not only of bare-faced hypocrisy, but of downright untruthfulness. It showed, further, that he had been using hia position aa a Councilman to increase his practice as a lawyer. And in the face of all these damaging and disgraceful charges he haa gone before the people, night after night, attacking others, but without one word ol excuse or justification for himself. Surely, to the sinuosity of the "Artful Dodger" (lauirhter), the-slyness of ''Joey Bagstoek," the hypocrisy of "Joseph Surface," he adds the Inimitable "cheek" ol "Sampson (Lauirhtei and applause.) A few weeks ago he was a Republican, asking for a nomination from a Republican comeutlon, then a Reformer, willing to accept any nomination which he would beg or borrow (laughter), and last night I understand he avowed himself an open and pronounced Democrat, and a meek and lowly follower of "thejmrest Reformer of tbe age," Samuel J.

Til- LOUISIANA SCANDALS. Kenner's Efforts to Buy Wells, as Told by Himself. Washington, Feb. 18. The Committee on the Powers, Privileges and Duties of the House, yestorday morning examined Duncan S.

Kenner, of New Orleans. He testified that Governor Wells told an untruth In testifying that he (Kenner) offered him a bribe to cast thevote of Louisiana ior Tilden. The witness gave an account of an Interview with Gov. Wells soil-sited by himself at witnesg' office. At this interview ne urged Wells to act in the eloction ma'-ter for the Interests Sf tho community.

Governor Wells acknowledged tho truth of this, but aaid that he was a could not break with his party without great personal sacrifice, as he was a poor man. Witness taking this as a hint sounded hlmaa to what he would take, and suggested giving office, but Wells did not want office. Witnesg urged Wells to name aome amount which would compensate him, and said that the gratitude of the people of Louisiana must certainly compensate him for any loss he might experience at the hands of his party; Wells refused to name a sum, saying that he must first consult with aome one, and, upon being pressed by witness to state with whom he proposed to consult, mentioned Tom Anderson. Some six or seven days later wltncsa met Wells, Calvert, and Anderson on the steps of the City Hall; Wells drew a bundle of letters from his pocket, assorted them and handed one to witness, saying, "This is for you;" the letter had no auperscription and no signature, and the substance of it was, "I have not heard from you; what docs it meant" witness appointed a second meeting: the meeting took Slace, and Wells said he doubted whether he could enj thing, because Anderson doubted his (witness') ability to raise a large enough amount of money; witness asked how much Anderson wantod. and Wells replied half a million; witness said that this wag perfectly ridiculous, that he did not want them to do anything wrong, and il'thia demand wag insisted upon they might as well drop the matter; Welle then said, ''Wait a few days." About November 30 another meeting took place, and Wells asked what witness expected him to do; witnesa replied that all that was wanted wag a fair count of all votes cast; Wells answered that lie could not do that; that he must throw out some parishes, but that he could loave enough votes in to elect Nicholls; he said he would do that if witness would place in hia hand In greenbacks; witness replied that he bad not the money; this ended the Interview, and he did not see Wells again until alter the promulgation of the vote; aome four or five days after the promulgation witness met Wells and pome other gentlemen at Red river steamboat landing, and asked Wells whether he was going home; Wells replied that he was going the following week; in talking witness and Wells differed in opinion, and witnesg expressed his astonishment and regret at Wells' course; Wells turned, and, looking witnesg full in the face, said, "What could I dot yon had no money;" witness said he hoped that Wells had not trusted in any promise from Kellogg or Packard, but had made himself safe, to whlcn Wells replied, "You bet," or words to that effect.

Mr. Kenner concluded by saying that this was the last interview he had with Wells, whom he had not seen since that time. The examination of the witness was not oonoluded when the committee, at noon, adjourned until twelve o'clock Monday. THE HESTER TRIAL. A Crowded Conrt Koum Defense Trying to Break Down Kelly's Evidence.

SPECIAL despatch to thb inquirer. Bloombbi ro, Feb. 18. The Hester trial hag been In progress for over nine days, but the most int jie interest is still manifested, the court room being crowded at each session. It ia a matter generally commented upon by those in attendance that the prisoners McHugh and Tully are entirely lost sight of by the counsel for the defense, and that their sole efforts are concentrated on behalf of Patrick Hester.

This is accounted for by the fact that Hester la charged with originating the plot. Yesterday the defense brought forward a large number of witnesses to prove the notoriously bad character of Kelly the bum. The Alibi. Luke Richardson testified to oelng in Captain McLaughlin's saloon at Ashland with Heater the evening before the murder at the time Kelly alleged Hester was in Thomas Donohue'a saloon, planning the robbery and murder of Rea. Richardson was corroborated by other witnesses.

John Cannon was also called to the stand. He swore to having a conversation with Kelly when Thomas Donohue was being tried upon a charge ol being one of the murderers of Rea at the May term of the Columbia county court in 18W; Kelly asked him if he (Cannon) would swear to what he knew to be false in order to clear a man who waa on trial and in danger of being hung. Cannon said he would not swear falsely In such a case, when the bum said he would swear to anything so as to save his friends. Owen Hester, a brother of Patrick, testified to his brother being in La Salle just after the killing of Kea. this rally corroborates the letter produced by the prosecution on Wednesday, which was identified as being in Hester's handwriting.

In this lettor reference was made to some crime which the writer bad committed and wanted his family to let him know if a search was being made lor him. Helen He6tcr, daughter of the prominent prl- imun, i luk) iHwuri i ummiw i UM4 u. J4 'XHI to approach the witness stand with fear and treuv pnrig. rne swore mat tier mtnerwa at. homonn IL a Jlir.

I ipa; 3 i JIT rem Sle.