The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 4

r. I' i i i I i i IS I if i i 1 1 i 4 i if "i .1 -TCItDAY llOKNLNG. DEC 18. 1K TsIHE4a." Feioat. Dec 17.

Tbe New York It-a iajprrrves but. slowly. Money rea sp ctor tvU to atddy altitudes, bat tbe na level was considerably lower. The xk dealing were laroe end timid, exeepl one or to specieltlee, tbe aggregate allege being a luU average prior ho tbls eek. Price cbaDg-e in most properties 'ere slight, eoo-pirtng the cl-ee of to-day iib tbat of yesterday, ana moil of tbe irger properties closed fractionally lower.

declines ineloJe Lake Shore, Michigan antral. New Jersey CectreL 8t, and t. K.t I s'- 'ui Tenneee ee and Iron, Illinois Central, Lecke-run, the equaling 1 percent, -ting given la tbe figures of aeclioe. Loaie-tile and NeebvUe gains Mliwori Fecino Nashville aod Chattanooga 3. A Burner of bond are off, iocm beavdr.

Western ietBC oa New York was eery. At New York. foreign exchange wr, I bo rise uurwl 10 koodoo having wldeoed tbo differeoea be-weea loeg end eaorl UM la two deya by la Loodoa. eecuriiie were generally 3r, wltb'ooo or two trivial (Uo la Ametioea rellroada. Tee breadstuff marketa oo this aid -were almost at a aland as respects pnea-aora 3MI, snaking final slight loeeee tar tbo moat part, while Liverpool was again fractionally higher for American wheat.

Receipts email tad ax ports lnatgntnceot. Provision were ia beyere favor; bat bogs, as wall aa cattle, were higher. Cot too was a abads ott la op-tioos. Tuo vm'i port racvifU wro ia txeaas of last yaar's la tito eorTvspiado vMk. Cotfao was fractionally lowsr for tpot.

bat ooairary tbo TtrUaj of tba diapatrb, tba fluras of optl-to prteos tbow aadaaoo. Por wars qjtaC To-dT II' uo of IlrprramUtiTrs srill arain to askrU to coraulcr a bill ftr ta reductioo of taxes, sad ibo ioUlcailocs aro liiat a majority will sainst aclioa at UuUm. Tbls ia tbo aamo Ilmua tbat lat sprinc refused coosuicrailoa tu this same till. Tba drfrat of toj Uoo to aa alllAnco betweco a seciiua ol I bo Dtno-rratic party and aa aluiost uLxnlmoai llo-paUicaa Il ittonuLlo tbat mta cbllio; Ibem-relrrs Democrats mill rctcr Into ao aJli-aaca wua a party pietlj-d ui ib of tbo policy jiriieJ duno; war tiaub; Ibat tbry resut Will tbtia rrery effort rnsda rciiero a peoplo ciamoroas for aclioa. For ear tbe Democratic party bas brtrn ia cootrol ol tbo Ilousa.

bat becauso of ibo cxiurio of ibis Panosylvania coauaftal tbo IIwuso baa BTcr yet sent to tbe Seaate any adrqaata tormauja of rclieC Tba bill now under uiscusaloa was framrd to satisfy any reasooabla demand cf tbe protected Interest. It will cot faruisa tba rel ef tbe country bas a rigbt to ex pact. It will leare nill a lare annual nrplas antoucbt-d. It remotrcs no featura cf protection. As a cf relief, tmu tboazh It Is, it descrres tbe support of every Demorrtt; as a massure of reform is not worta flbiiu for.

It will not quiet tbe agitation wbich tba timid tbaonss uem to fear; tbat agita-Uoo will continue until tbe revenues are raduced to the actual necessities of tbe Government, and tbeM revenue will be raued by duties tbat bavo in view, not subsidies for domestic corporations, but money for tba public Treasury. Party betrayal, political duplicity, or ft nixed avarice, may for a while postpone tba inauguration of a general reform of tba tariff, bat tbe questions tbat are up bow are up for settlement, and tbe sooner tbey are settled tbe better it will be'for tbe protected manufacturers tbcmselvea, It is possible now so to tbe tariff tbat tba protective features wiil gradually disappear, but tbe rilusal to accept a measure like tbis of Mr. will precipitate action bora of popular indignation, wblcb will not take into account tba so-called Tested rights of subsid zed is te rests. Reform will come quietly, peacefully, if tbe cbilureu cf tu.s world txa as wise in tLeir geucraliou as tba 'cbtl drea of Iigbt. Dut if tiic-y are blind to tbe signs cf tbe tico'-s, if tbey rcuso every offer of cociproniise.

such as tbe Morrison btil, tbey inaugurata a new er-s of ailatiua more comprebensiva in its purpose, and mora direct and daogerou tbaa tbat wolcb clueea wilb tbe Tto oa tbe bill today. For whatever tbe result to-day. tbe period for baif-w ay measures ends. If tba bill is tain up. aiL.eoutd aud passed, it will be simply tba preparatory su to a logical and tborougu form cf tL whole list.

If it falls, tba lioea will be fornicJ anew; all otbr queslloos will bo subordinated to tbis; sJI cUer considc rat Iocs will give way to tbis, sxd tba appeal will bo made not to a liule band of protected gutrr.ll. but msde to tba Lola petpe, auJ oiuQm so openly, so fearlessly, so directly, tbat it wiil admit of no mlauoderslsjiding and can mel wt'h tot one mpccc la a growing country such as is tuis, it is posioie so to arrange tbe tariff as to raise all tua revenue required from tbe inurual taxes and a core of imported articles, ani Ibis Is hat tba of a few men makes imminent. A2f ODIOUi IU12.VU03. Eometbing of a study, boib social and olitical. Is created all at o-ce by tbe im-peraliv interference of tbe Fcpe with tbe freedom cf spetcu and of political action wbjcb are embedded at tbe beart of Ameri can Institutions.

A Calboiic priest Uicugbt proper to at one cf tbe cublic do monstrations of iltsBT GsokOE, a man who is aa eccentric thinker, indeed, but at tbe same time ect rely respctUUe, both social and politically. If there were no other basis for bis political reputabiiity it would La fully established in tba single fact tbat be seeks to accomplish bis economic aims, however visionary, not by re course to dynamite sod terrorism, but by appealing to public opinion and tba ballot-box. Americans, and. In fact, the tcople of all civilized nations. are secured from danger by an appeal to this tribunal; and only despotisms have dread it.

Mr. eouoe also secured nearly double tbo vote cf bis Republican opponent, ia running for the Very important cGce of Miyor cf 2cw York. Tbe Roman Hierarchy has always been nltra couservadve. wa.ch ia tbe mala is wtll eaouU. but the Pope was badly advised in summoning the pnest in quesdoa to Rome to answer for bis per aistent recalcitrancy; and all foreiga au tltontles should at least learn to treat tbe crst itmlonal right iarclred ia this quas- lioa with such conilderstion and respect as are certainly due tbe very highest fruar-anieed ribt in our entire system.

Tbt-re was no church question involved, and II was purely a foreign exercise of duress on tbe political conduct cf a citizen. ZS 1HIS DiMOCaaCTI One of our not very much esteemed, but exceedingly frvsh. conteinporariea. who thinks it. sinful for "a profetcd Demo cratic organ to be eternally Urting at the heels of a Democratic Administration, pauses long enough Leiwecn its objurga tions to say that "tbe people should be very considerste of their public men.

Tuts is true, and. in return, we submit thst it is no more than reasonable that public men should be very considerate of the people. A to tbe press, it it the on.y. Tcbicle which the iconic have for convey. Id? their wUbes to Washington and ranking tbem known to each of tbe little great nobodies, who Struts bis boar upon tha etare.

And titao it aeo BO mora," and who, mwM, the Administration and the Congress. Ctch recurring four years sends off one set and brings on another, only to find the ccw- comers a little more deluied with the conceit of their gr atness than their predecessors, and a little les conscious of their mortal origin and destiny. There can be no public duly more obligatory and useful tbaa that of perpetually re minding ihe mm that tbey are tbe servants, and tbe misters, cf tbe pro- pie, and tbis duty is particularly binding upon those who. by partisan sssocUtion, have made themselves iu some srt re sponsible for a just account of tba steward-shir. Tbe lias shown no disposition to be severe in its judgments apl men in iScc.

Touching the President and h.s political we have been tolerant and paiieut. Every day in the year we are givia tbem. in tbe ua- bougbt support which we pive to Dtino- cTaticorzauiztion and principles, the benefit of the assumption that too, sie Democrats. This is not the sort of support, however, that satitfics your profts- aioual placeman. To reach bixii.

tbe indorsement mut bo per tonal lie never considers the advantage he derives by indirection from a general political concurrence. Hut be is wide a aku and duly sensitive to tbi lightest suggestion which docs net stail cut by adm.iliu tbat be was a prodigy When born, and bas been gTowiog in wUd and virtue ever since. Everything th-il is act seasooed with aomethlng of tbe kind is either "ditta- 1100 or "abuse." Of tliere ere newspapers, ilka thst from wuich we quoted in tbo beginning of this article, to wag the ever-consenting tail of tbe dog in tbe brass collar. We migct treat the Adrain'stratlon very differently atd with goo warrant. We might propoae a practical discussion of the question whether a President, who, on two of tbo three leading issues of ti.o day, is directly opposed to a great ma jority of his party, and on the third has shown himself powerless to unite and lead it, is eitbtr a safe or proper cutlodisn of the immcdialo political future, and tha entire present stock-iu-lrade, of great party organization.

A might set on foot not irrational icquiry whether Tan Ad ministration, wuich not only piques itself upon keeping R. public ids in cilice, as do tbe Secretaries of the Navy and bf Wur. but which keeps at least two cf the Government innccess.ble to Democrats, deserves tbe coufli.nce and support of tbe rank and file ot tbo puny. We might, in short, propose to cast about and test tne assumption that we are in the hands of the Mugwumps, and have no escape cr recourse. We have done nothing of the kind.

a the pub.ic service everywhere bristling with tbe insolence cf men in oCcu whom tbe people voted sboull go out cf otHce. We see every day thee men acting as spies and informers to Lhu Republican orgucs and managers, greatly to tbe hurt of Democratic lut. rests, wuich b-ire no or ganized force to keep tbem advised, and are excluded from the bocks by par tisan enemies, wuo, under tbe protection cf tbe Adm.n lraiioa, still bold them. We s.e cillc.l rutes and regulations made by Republicans to oirci and inull Dcui- cruis. still ia force ia tbe Departments; and we have seen a circular a-nt out under tbo seul aud authority of one if the Departments urging tboao in its service to couvert ILeui-selves into agents for tbe circulation of a leading Repub.icaa (not Mugwump) organ.

We have privately and pcrsoually pleaded in vaiu (r soma kind of recognition not for oursvlves, who do not waut or need it but for tbe Democratic p-rty, wbica tbeso gentlemen profe-s to tcrve. and aro to.d in tlleci that the Dcm-cralic party has no rights wbich tbe Administration Is bound to respect. Meantime the President, folding his arms to tha man ile cf a conscience at ouce too lofty and loo sensitive to trouble itself with partisan considered jus. siaiids aloof, deign. ng to listen only to those who U-li bim it is all rigbr, and thinking iteXirciuc-ly ill cf those wuo dou't l.ke il and aay aa This is the situation to-day.

at Washington, and. if it continues prciicallr unchanged until tbe day of the next Presidential election, the ileputlicai.s will save us any further bickerings aud dickcrings bout C.vil Service Reform by Ukicg the old thing in their owu hands and giviug us a few surv-euougu Iimous iu the art of "luriung tbe rascals iut." Tiiil COLD DiAlN. If the wUhdraWbl of gold from tbe Bank of England for at.ir incut to the United Slates Ibis week be cortccily reported, tbe bullion fund bad ocea reduced to tba lowest point in fifteen years. That fund was reported a week ago at 20.101.000. and the rep- rUd withdrawal Has 480.000.

leaving 10.C2 1.000. or. in round numbers at $3 to tne ffrJ. 105.000. Tbe nearest approach to tnis m.nioiuui was in March, when the fund was 19.780,000, 193.033,000.

Prior to that d-stanl period auiaiicr gold reserves were iu order. The extremes between 1870 and 1873 wcro and 23.1:04,000 in la7L Between lb73 and lbsO. uh tbo exception cf ti-ree years, the extremes were in lS7d end 03,223.000 iu lb79. From 1S30 to the extremes were and 20. and up to this date the extr tact s.nce lSd3 are and 23.123.000.

Tbe tres.nt gold reserve is about or less than in September, 1379. The gold and securities in rcsexTO 1 mount to-dsy to about 53.473.000. which lis tbe smallest total reserve since December, 1877. which in turn was tha lowest aggregate since 1875. Tbe back is therefore la a rery wesk cooditlon comparatively, and is fully justified in advancing tbe rata of interest this week to 5 per cent Tbis is a rate of interest in England wbich is universslly recognized as distinctly obnoxious to business interests, to investment, manufacture and commerce la a nation whose economies are adjusted on pre-eminently nice and exact calculations of all differences tn cost, of wbich money, of course.

Is an all-pervsdiog clement This high rate will neressardy react unfavorably upon market prices, including both our produce and securities. Tbe rate of exchange bad been for the last ten days about balanced at a figure which made tbe buying of gold for tbe United Slates nearly "un even thing," but the balance has been sudJenly turned by the sharp rise in tbo value of money in New York, combined with a bank position ia New York wbica reasonably guaran tees bizher rates for some time to come. Tbe New York stock gamblers flurry, resulting directly from tbe neglect of bis ofticul duty to the banks by Controller Titi-NiJOLvr. will, therefore, contribute to injuring American interests in Europe, both ia produce tnl securities. At such a low state of specie reserves, tbe Dank of Eng laud will, of coure, do all that is possible, without ioj seriously injuria trade, to stop the outflow of gold.

Tbe hibest annual avt raze rale of the bank siace 1S7J was 41 ia 1S73. and the lowest 2. From December. 1W1. to the summer of lSiJ3, it wt.a steady at 5 rr ccut II bas passed 5 per cent, only four times in fifteen years CJ ia November, 1S72.

fct iu November, 1S73. 5 an 5 iu tk-liU-r aud November, lb7, 5 1-15 ini 5 13 IS ia January end February, ISii. Jjerve tbe connections with our block Exchange crUea. England bit been slow in taring our wheal to su a home deficiency which this year wiii require 33 OJJ.000 buihels -re than her aver.ice immense takings, acd br requ.ruinen:s fo? cotton and other necessary untiles will no doubt be a full average. She will probably have to ship still more of that depleted stock of gold ia cf If.ruelf.

Nor is Ealind the only proircctlve shipper. The next ia order is Frat.cc, wbichiwi require about 4J.000.000 more wheat lLaa lust rear. The wants of these two nations are even estimate now to be fc.OoO.CUJ bjue.a greater than last ye.ir. Tue bu.k of the extra supply for each must come from the United States. Btri-iJes this, France is in the way of buy lug about worth of silver bullion for Lit new piasiro experiment wi.h Chios, previously explained by tbe Cut'LiEit Jocrsiu and tne sellers of this silver wili first, tbe United States, and next, Mexico It is reported tbat between f5.000.000 and $10,000,000 of gold have been already taken upon tbat ac-couLtfor tbe United Slates, a considerable part of wbich bas come forward.

There is an immedUte prospect for a greater scramble for goll than ever, and commerco will suffer, of course, in proportion to lis intensity. a school' or jottssalisx. Tbe editor of the Couiutu- Jocicsax bas received a letter, which seems to be of euough public interest to justify a public answer. Tbe following extract will explain tue case: It is pt oooard by tba trustees of oae of tbe trchuicul aebooiS of the of Pencsji-vanla lo eaiablialt a C'bairla -ournaiuca. Tba ln uo Jar ewoaiderauou is lo bae aa iuairucutr a bo will klva tieal ailoilK to Eughab eoinpo' silion.

aod to rru.eni hi work by IfC.UieS civrn io rou'M ty Journalist a. is da-sirai la to ooiain pici. of the irireaiituva rum la tta irvfesaiB upon li advisability of thaaci.ema. May I aai if ia your opilioa in-strucuoasia tb art of nrvtptprr maktnai alvra ia cwoiiceuja uh oibar la e.Uea would be either frasUla cr advaUcaousI IX it would be. anal io your opinion be.

brtf-l'y. ti a cb tf eid to iod alf Lrt me aay tcal'lbia iaf or 011.00 ia soubt to lb rod tbat a practical toiu.ijo of the 1 rooieoi lovoived may be ac.raa.' There can be but one reply to the first of the above interrogatories; a school of spe-ciul instruction in rjewsjuiper work is feas-illc and desiral Ir, and, it properly organized and conduUed. would be adran-tageous. Of course education can insure success ia no calling. Eminence in every walk of life is the outcome of conditions not embraced by systems and of quaiiiies distinctly personal Bui there is no more reason why p.rticular traiulog should not benefit the imeudcd journalist than tbe iaUmded macliineat, ma-dcim, or soldier.

Oa the contrary, the increasing exactions aud complcxlii of newspiper work ere-ato a peciiiUr need for such particular traiuiog. Its realizatioa is only a question of time and wi.l bo soon or lair, partly by tbe Dewspaper demand for skilled laqor and partly by tbe practical wisiomof tboso undertaking its organization and devciopiucnL As rule, two types of yeng men present themselves for admission into newspaper offices tbe callow collegiate, who knows too much, and tbe poor devil, wb knows nothing. Of the two, the latter is to be pre fir. ed. lie has less to unlearn, lie is as a fresh sheet of letter paper; and, if be be clean, and made out of good slock, there is hope of biru.

Tbe other may uct on; but the likelihood is that, after failing in all the lines of ambitious work, he will at last drop into a position cf ill-p ild obscurity and fixed subordination, and become a harmless crank. He is the "crushed tragedian" of journalism. In each instance some preparatory instruction wouid be valuable, and not less to journul.m than to journalistic aspirants and applicants. It would spare journalUm the wear and tear and the risk of depending upon novices for work too often important and delicate, whilst educating tbem. It would disclose the unfitness of many would-be journalists in time to save tbem and put tbe more promising upon the right road.

There is not a newspaper manager in the country who would not be glad to recruit his little army cf news-gatherers from a school in which the rudimentary principles of news paper requirement a.id responsibility are well taught. Such a school would no more moke a journalist than West Point makes a soldier. Rut it would lay tbe needful fsundailona. The chief end to be aimed at by a school of journalism should be. first, simple training io the preparation of copy for publication, embracing the art of condensation, and, second, moral training in the obligations of decency and muhftlncst, wbich the individual assumes when be becomes a public writer, or reporter for the pre, After all, success io every enterprise is referable to tbe ability iod skdl of tbe men who originate it snd devote themselves to Miny excellent schemes fail for lack of adi-quate handling.

But we are inclined to think that a time has coma when the organization of a faculty forst school of journalUm is posible, Tbe great newspaper properties of the country are for tbe moat part io tbe bsnds of ibosi who willing to part with them, and are consequently beyond the reach of many poor young men. who have only their experience aud talents to sustain tbom. and to look to, in the subordinate places of managing editor and city editor, which tbey have attained and beyond which there is no probable promotion. These are not, as a rule, to well paid for the most arduous work known to man that their services might not bo bad as instructors by a prosperous school of journalism, snd their qualification lo trive practical instructions will not be denied. Of course occasional lectures, or course, from the greater guns might stimulate and advertise, and would bo interesting as individual if not instructive as lessons ia journalism; but of tbo utilitarian value cf el.meotrsy instruction by expert evcry-day journalists we hare as little doubt as we have that theS'J latter may be sec-tred by the inducements which lure others from active professional work to tbe business of professional tenrting.

Oa tlii wlwl. ihrrrfnrfi It IPtmi to US tbat tbe idea of the University -l PennsyH 1 vania is feasible and- elesirauie, anu we may add the expression of tbe opinion, that no belter site for tbe proposed school could be found than tbe city of Philadclohia, which is in close contiguity to so uiacy cf the great cities, yet apart from them, and where practical journalism hK made uncommon advances tLe last ten or tweive year, ere-' aiinst a certain competitive enthusiasm and a profession si et-rit dt eorpt favorable to those atmospheric conditions that, in journalism, hardly 2cs than iu art and letters, germinate and enlarge the i pedis wuich they pcrmca nod euvtlu YET AK0IHXH CEY-BALT. He wLoso unfortunate lot is cast ia tbo bourdiug-bouse or hotel is not unfamiliar with, the prune. In fact, bo has a very intimate acquaintance with it, having met it at table almost daily. And, if tbe truth must be told, it is not such a lad acquaintance, after nil On tbo contrary, it is alove tbe average cf one's boardiag-bouse tcqiaintsuci aud often times do Something to atone for other taidc-'itquaiut-aocea not en agreeable.

Pruucs are, moreover, a wholesome aud cucap fruil according to a good author 113-, tbe-y have been for many years the "cneapest kind of dried fruit to le obtained in this country much cheaper than dried apples or peaches and therefore tbey have Wen extensively eaten by the poor. Tbo keepers of cheap boardiog-houses, who could not affurd to purchase fresh or canned fruits, have supp led their tables with stewed prunes. Tbo children of laborers who rarely tasted any kind cf domestic fruits, have bad pruucs ia abundance. The prune is a rpecies of plum of very firm texture, and ou thai ticcount capable of being dried ia the open air or in an oven only mod-lately heated. Tbe treo was cultivated in Italy by the ancient Romans, and wua introduced ly tbem into all the portions of tbecontiaeul of Europe which tbey conquered aud colonized.

In all the countries bordeiin' oa thj Mediterranean sea tbe prune tree grows very rapidly, attains an immense size, l.vcs for many years, acd produces very large crops. As tbe c.imate favorable for drying them, and labor iaabundaut, prunes are very cheap. As they can be brought to tbis country by wter, tbey can bo sold here at lower prices than aoy of our domestic dried fruits. At a cocsiqaence tbey are generally eien by persons of small Now, the supply of prunes might hare continued abundant and the prices cheap if il had not been well, thereby bangs this little stry: Oace upon a time not so very loog ago, a few Italians started upon a journey to California. On leaving home they put ia their pockets some prunes, and 00 arriving at their destination they baJ still a few remaining uneaten.

The seeds of these they planted out of curiosity to tee if tbey would thrive in California soil a I their curiosity was of the kind wbich prompted Pandora to or ca the mysterious box. The prune seeds of tLe wauWering Italians not only unluckily "curae up," butj the shoots grew and flourished until they became fruit bearing trees, and another infant industry was born in this country. Of course this infant must le bottle-fed through ocr tariff system, and there is now a duty one cent a pouud on imported pruuea. Rut tbe infant is becoming lusty enough to cry for more. And the Californians are demanding that the duty on prunes be increased to at least forty per cent.

The crop of prunes in California last year was about 1.500.000 pounds, or about a pound to every inhabitant of tbe State; the importation of fori eign prunes during the year amounted to about C3.000.000 pounds. We mut discourage tbe importation of foreigu prunes, aay the Californians, and Ibis cheap food must bo made dear in order to stimulate us to produce more prunes in California. Alr.sl alas I Why did those Italian vagabonds tbougUllessly drop their prune seed in California? Why did tbey heedlessly bring firth another infant industry to fasten on our national maternal nipple and yell to be treated like our numerous and heterogeneous family of other infant industries? California was doing very well without the prune industry; indeed, she had never ao much as thought of tbe prune industry. And bad it not been for these Italians, California could have gone on aa she had been doing, and the people of tbis country could have continued getting their prunes cheap without being asked to pay a tax on tbem to a few difornians. After all.

perhaps there is something wrong about our tariff system. Perhaps is not as wie and perfect as we bavo bceutold. Why would it not bo a bolter plan, for instance, to hvy a prohibitive tariff on infant industries wbich can nol thrive hero without artificial subsidies? If Brother K.LLtT and Brother Randall. aod Brother BoCTJU-LB and the rest of tbe tariff statesmen bad incorporated in our great tariff system a prohibitive duty on the importation of infant industries we might have gjue oa forever buying cheap prunes from, Italy and never hare been ked tn riv two rjrices for them ia order thst a few fellow citizens ia Southern California who grow grapes and oranpes and pretty much every other kiud of fruit in abundance might be induced to try whether they could not also grow prunes almost, if not qute. as well THZ DZPAETtUT C7 WAB.

Not long ago tbat atauuch and able Democratic newspaper, the Rochester Union, called attention to tbe fact that under the Republican Administration of the Federal Government the Democratic press of the country had been proscribed by order of the War Department, wbich in printed book form gave the names of tbo leudintr Republican journals of the country, and directed all army officers to insert official advertisements in no others. Tbe Cocnittii JouRNAL copied the statement and said: "It Mr. Stealet, tbe Washing ton correspondent t-f the Courier- 'oca NAL. can obtain access to tbe War Depart menl he is hereby authorized to investigate tbls matter and report how it is. The country, and particularly our Democratic readers, would like to know." Mr.

dtea let. who is a good Democrat and a per fectly fair man, and who bas no motive or desire to misrepresent tbe War Depart ment replied as follows: Tbs War Department ia not accessible to Democratic newspaper correspoodenla. If ooe should succeed ia rutininc ths gantlet 0f insole ot mrssengera at tbe doors, and gaio admittance to tba Interior of tha offlesa be is imtnedi tir confronted by a Rapuulicea clark, wbo will Dot ex-taut luui cummoa courtesy, mucb lesalnlor-utiuioa It is iny private opinion. ubliclr ex-pre-sd. ibat if your correspondent abould.

by acciieut orbiplouiacr. el lot taa War Depart ment here, and it was found out. be would be ia Jaovf of brmz taroan from tbe windows of the rttatelr aod bcauuful building. 1 am rrlluwy io-forntad, boaTcr. ttiai tlia matter alluded to by tr.e Cm.

oh otid AJvrrtiaer, of Kocbeter. baa not met iiu any reform. Tbe 'monairous and odioua proscription of tbe Democratic preaa of tba eo an try' sud cx.U aa it aid unaar Repub lican regime. ludaed. and ia truth, if anyming.

it ia mora odious now tbaa I bee. for it is a weU kaoan fact, and the iroatdpof tbeeapltaU that Jlr. Wm. i-racoT-r ia only Secretary of War br name, and tbat all ia duties ot tbe ofnee are performed by too lit-publican clark a in tue War Drpartoirnu Tbese dapper little dudes deliRht in inml-eaiinz their beilcre, and it is a aouroa of intdtua KrauaCatioa to their to lord it over a Deruooatia corra.pond -nt. lir.

E50100TT has cot luada a change ia tne DeparUueui siuca be loaned tba l'rvru Jeut tba usa of bia naiue to ornament the bead. Tbo reason given lor ml ia army circies is tltat Ekuicott Is a 'smooth-bore. lib tee touch-boie pued. aod knows no tuore about tne duiiee of a becretarr of War than pig dors about flavins tbe fluie Oa ibis show lag our able and esteemed Democratic cont.mporury of Rochester makes these just aud timely reflections: "Tbat is certainly a very bad uoariajt gener ally for the War i part met t- Made by tbo re Fponabte rei regulative of a la ding Democratic juroai, it ia not to Le doubled for a mo ment tnai. it wiil rocive t-a aueuUoo to wiiicb It ia eiiU-W, and tua at leaal auraoca iil be civn to ie Drmocraiio trees of tbe country thai lis croacripuoa by Repubhcsa Administration lanotcooUouod tt ider Democraue Admla- Uiraiioo.

Aa already rtuarsnk would not have tbe bad example RepuLlican dmioUira- tion fo.loeed, but would ilka IO SSa army tra cers showed to exercise toeir owu judgmrnt ia tbe selrciioa of oaaapapera for ofnVial advcrtlj- ing. Of ail branches ef tue pubiia eerviOe. tuat of tbe ndi.t arai should be most free from 'offruaive Tue Union says, with ianocent ear casta, "it is not to be doubted for a mo- 11. em" tbat.tbe siluation described by Mr. Stkai.lt wdi "receive the attention it de- Tbat is as a-bvrdy may say I "It deserves" is a convertible term.

Perhaps the Pretideut might cons' ier tbat it "deserves' uo attention at alL Certainly tbat would be the opinion of the Boston en- tk-mau who is responsible for iu existence. Bui stiil we must all tail down and worship a policy of Civil-service Reform that insists upon keeping in fSce all tbe corrupt agents of twenty-tire years of the most intolerublo partisan exclusiveness and oprnsiioa that ever infested a Depart men 1 tf the Government. Great is Mugwumpery, and Hsdicott is its prophek Whejt Mr. Edmunds declared in the Senate that in case of a Republican victory ia '83 the consideration of cbaugesiin office would be removed from the strife and routeutiou of politics, be was seized with a tit of coughing. It taki-s tbo largest sort wf a not-S' to choke a Republican stales-man of 31r.

Edmcjids' long experience. WrTH its accustomed cheerfulness, tbe cornea tripping to tba fore with a whoop for old Jos XcDosald for the 1'reuJency ia 168S." Chicaja Ou, no. tue Cocuiitit- Jocknal bas done nothing of the kiud. Tbe vision of The Amoosin Littlk Crss, alwsys a trifle inflamed, ia becotnintr cross-eyed. IT is a shame thai the tramps of Pennsylvania lave to strike for roast beef.

A State supported by her sister States so well as is Pennsylvania ought to be ashamed to feed her tramps oa anything less than oysters. Ir tbe wires cf Cabinet members are to wear higher bonnets than tbe wives of Senators can put on, we are much nearer the brink of civil war than most of us had supposed. The Chicago young man wbo tried to murder and rob bis father should be imprisoned for life. After finishing his own family he might begin oa tbe remainder of Illinois. TrtE letter-boxes of tbe United States have become objects of especial interest.

No one knows but that tbe man wbo is dropping in a letter is Mr. James Ctai MINGS. Mn. Ammid of Pennsylvsnia, who say the tariff is nol a tax, should have bis portrait framed for exhibition. Let us all hare a look at thai enormous bead.

If all the Republicans iu the War Department were to be put Into Mother IIub- bards, what a Mardi Gras Washington would hare! Walker, wbo shot Miller, in Washington, has been fortunate enough to be released on bad. 3laybe Walker is a Mugwump. Ik Mr. Moex. of Massachusetts, were sitting on one of bis own barbed-wire fences, he would hardly be more uncomfortable.

Tbe eminent services rendered the Republican parly by tbe Democratic War Department will count ia '6U What a lonesome place the United Statea of America would be without Wall street aud the fools. Dn. Bird, of tue Campbell divorce suit, may'be innocent. Every bird hi not a cuckoo. NeW Yoius will have to start a branch penitentiary fox Aldcrrnaa.

Goinir Abroad to Find a Sheriff I'rnnntml Imnrovcruent of the stiver Front Steady Growth of tba City. 1 rspeeial to tha Courtor-JonrnaLI Owxksbobo, Dee. 17. For several ysars It bas been, next to impossible for Daviess countv to secure tbe services of any tnaa as Sheriff. If one was obtained he would not stic.

Col. Holmes was appointed a year ago and accepted tbe place. At tbe August election be was defeated, tbe question of prohibition being nut altogether discon nected therewith. Capt, W. 3.

Stone, ex warden of tbe penitentiary; was elected, bat there was some hesitancy about making the necessary bond, and an arrangement bas been made witn J. T. Wilson, of Graves county, wbo bas served for two terms as Sheriff of that county, and wbo will remove to Daviess, and Janua ry 1 become practically the bbertff of tbis county. It is a cumplitueut to Mr. Wilson and to Graves euuntr, but not altogether so to tbe wealthy and important county of Daviesa.

Sheriff coma blub, but we must have team, even thoag-b we Ueeoius resur rectionists and rob tbe graves lo get tbem. Coi. H. fc. lieaier is ia Washington in tbe interest of a proposed improvement of tbe -water rout of Oweusboro by tbe Government, and reports fair prospects of succeas.

Tbe Farmers' and Traders' Bank of Owensboro baa increased its capital stock to 10O.UOO, and ibis is a fair iudex to tbe growiug prosperity of tbe town and its surround lug territory. Tbe increase in value of taxable property, as shown by tbe Assessor's boots for tbe year, is A 1 VA TElt-1 VA L.K LIZ. Alphonso King Attempts to Tramp from tbo liartholui Statue to Urooklyn Bridge. (bprcial to the Nxw Tohk, Dec. 17.

Kin jr. of Paris, tbe water-waller weo attempted to walk across the Niagara river last Saturday, to-day attempted to waik ou tbe water from tbe Bartboldi statue to tbe iBrooklrn bridge. Harry Webb, tbe well-known pom a 2 man, and two friends were in a skill accompanying bim. King dresaed in an ordinary suie, put on bis shoes, wbich are ibirty-lww inches Ion, eight rjnebes wide and nine Inches high, aud started without a balance pole. Tue water was rough aud windy, aod King bad great dilHoulty in keepiug Mi ba.auce.

ill progress was very slow, and ever Oiiuute ibe occupants of the boats supposed be wcuid tuppie over. Wbea approacuioe tbe tarn erouud the Battery the waves uaabed against the walker, and suffered from toe cold. VV ebb was airaid tne boat wouid upet. and was neariy frozen. Lie beckouad King to walk faster.

King tried to increase tile pace, but tne wind was high, and a strong currant preveatd bim from doing so. uo beadway was made, anu King gave it up. lirandy was given to bim, la limb were rubbed, and the boat headed for tne Battery, where tba party King is stopping at No. 11 Prince street, auU says in ibis waatuer be would not make auotber attempt in York for 500. His feat to-day was ths greatest evr accomplished in roub wttr, lie was on tbe water one bour aud five minutes.

He bas waiued acroe tue alississippi. aod covered one mile and a half down las Ohio river. dowx os cosriexs. The Anti-Convict Contract Associa tion Holds a Meeting. Chicago.

"Deo. 17. ilr. V. T.

Lewes, of Racine, presided at yesterday's meeting of tba National auti-Couvict Contract Convention, wbicb took place in tbis rity. Among tbe large nuaiber of regrets aent by prominent members of the organization prevented from being present, was one by Benj. F. Buiier. in wbich he says: "If you tbiuk my acceptance of tbe otlice of Vice Preeideut for tbe State of Massachusetts of tbe National anti-Con viol Cou tract Association will do the causa any goad, I will aecepc it; but it wtii be very dimcult fur me.

with my present eogegenieuis, to give much personal attention to it." D. M. Thomas, of Lnnfsville, Secretary of the 2ieu4iai tove Mauuiacturers' Association; J. li. tv matter, of Nebraska; C.

Hots, of Cuicago; air. a outer, of tVbooaain; Mr. Upton, of Cedar Itapida, and otoers, made quite energeuu "speeci.es in favor of aboosb-iu tbe couiract system in (be ewp.oyuieut of prison labor, but none of tbe speakers made any dehuite suggestions as to wust should replace tne presaut metood. llott of tueiu were of tbe opinion that tbe convicts roould be set to worg on tne p-biie bub-ways until evsry rood wss a adamaa Alter avveral luuu' diaousaiou cf ttaaauojeoi, the Secretary instructed to uraw up au outline of tbe objects of toe aaciallou. It was also reOiVed to send a py ot tbe bylaws of the to T.

V. Powderly, asfciug his co-epc-reiion tbrougu the branches ol the Ajugbu of Labor ia tue country. A RAILWAY JIOIiltOIL The Cincinnati Ux press Kills a Boy nn el au Old Msu While JeAsslu XUroug-h New Jirnnswiclc jpeviAl to Uia tOMrwr-JaornfAl Nxw York, Dec, 17. New Jersey furnishes another railway horror today, in woicb iwo lives were sacrificed through tbe neglect of au employe. Ibe Cincinnati express train, wbica was.

bait an bour behind time, wall a running at tbe rate of forty miles an bour through New Brunswick at 6 o'ciot-k tbis morning, struck a wagon driven by Terrauce Uickey, 14 years old, at tkt teorge-irett eroding. of tue Peunarivauia rauroad. Moes i Hyuo, aged 60. saw tbe danger anu weut to tue boy's assiat-auc-e, but wa too late to save him. The tram rushed around tbe curve, struck Kyuo, aud threw bim oT the embankment, instantly kidiug tiai.

It then crashed into tne wagon, part of wbion was Deposited iu front of the ladies' waiting-rooai at tbe depot. Tba boy was found dead, wrapped iu a firmly fastened on tba cow-catcher. His tu.l was fractureu, and brams were ooziug from tbe wound, iiyno was tbe father of a large family. He was fi-rmeiiy a polieeu.an. Tbe gateman at tbe was not od duty, and to tbis fact tbe do jble tragedy is due.

Young. Hickey wa- an inmate ot the Roman Catnono orphan asylum, and at tbe lime of tbe accident was returumg to tbe institution after havinr driven three Sisters to early mass. A Warning to School Superintendent. 'Special to the Courier-Journal. 1 NtcaOLASTiLLE, Dee.

17. An interesting suit decided in our court may serve as a warning to co'unty school superintend ents along tbe line of tbe Queen and Crescent route. A. C. Miles, our county superin tendent, brought suit against tbe company for s.hool taxes due tbe county by a special levy of tbe county voted upon all property.

Tbe regular railway taxei are paid to tbe Auditor, and tbis tax, if collected, would have gone to tbe State Treasury. Tbe suit was for 1.10O. Tne judgment of tbe court was tuat the plaintiff suouwl par Lbe conn di-mi-aiuj tbe suit. Tbe Superintendent to day paia tue coats out or Lis own pocket, and beuc ia very bitter over it. An appeal was granted tbe pialutiu.

but it wiii not be nro. aecuted further on his own respouaibuuv I uj.J 1 i 7. um.M.u aucu taxes SUOU14 be made by restraint warrant aa in eases. ut bow to make tbe railway par is puzzling our legal lights. A Gallant Urakeman.

Elizabeth. N. Dec. 17 Aa tha. it- of John Colyer, living in a cottage on Trin ity piace, tins city, was lighting a karoaen lamp last evening, tbe wrapper which she wore tooa nre, ana instantly she was in a blase.

With remark a Us Drssence of mind she refrained from crying oat, but tore off isaruiau auu. trampiaa upon it. tier petticoat, however, bad also become ignited, aod she would unuouotedly have been ter- riOlV burttad but for tha arriv.l A brakeman on a Pennsylvania train, wbicb juat oaca ot toe nouse, saw oar tkredlt-AniauL- Ufltid fr.wit r. 1 entering tbe bouse, seized ber and smothered tbe tire. Without waiting for tnanaa he rushed out and gained tbe rear ead of tbe a A A.

1 t.a. evaaa Uej ajeatA Aia A Slurdered Woman's WIIL CLKTKLAKD. Dee. 17 Tha will of Un. Jane Wnelier, tbe old woman who was recently murdered, and whose aged husband.

was arrastea tor we crime, was oserea lor probate this morn in sr. Tha at from 1150. 00O to 1200,000 and 6 4 greater part of it is left to a nephew E. Shaw, of firmingham. EusllL Weatero Raarre School Th Women, of this eity.

gets propirl" at 120,000. Tnt remainder el ths divided among numerous relative? teoanu wbo have lived in ilra. homes for more than five Ttars V-' each. aet. Sheriff Boyd Acquitted.

(Sprclal to the HorxwsviLLE. Deo. trial -6beriff John Boyd for killing Wmu rison, and that of John B. Morrison for log bu brother in resisting arrest oa tbe 7ti was concluded to-day. It resulted tbe acquittal of Mr.

Boyd, and tn, hoidi over of John B. Morriaoo to await ths grass jury on two eparata charges. Ths lw riob boya were from Lyon couoty, sad an cousins of Frank and Jews Jamas. VUiu waa wanted in Lyon county for a brasoa peace committed several year, since li met bis tragic death at tue hauls of fi-rJ Boyd while refusing to be arraatad T5 Joint trial bas created much iutersst for tiJ past three days. More of the Haddock'Slnrder Kansas Citt, Dec.

17. hrlvasur Graa, da, abas Gaadera, uodar arrest for coav plioity in tbe Haddock murder, wili taken to Bioux City to-night. Ths'cfor i publi.b a confession, made to-day, ia whirf Granda admiu be was with the oartv ani tiraak with them. Tbey had agreed to Vt! tack-Haddock and anotuer proounaot PreT hlbitiouut. Areuadorf, be says, fired th.

shot wbicb killed Haadock. Gran.iaVW. bU wife and Kosbnuzki, wbo is nowundl. arrest at fcioux City, floated down tha ma. in a flat-boat, ana KosbUlzki went oa Li Cahforaia.

ad ire F. W. Darby for fcenator. ISpeoai to tbe rmxct-xon, Dec. 17.

la rupous ta call from representative cituwas lbs district, W. Uarby, of this couoty has anuouncad bis caudiuacy for ths fcuii beasts. The district ia composed of Caid-wad, Crit'tendeu and Webster cwuuties, sad there wul be no difficulty ia electing a good man like JuJiri lUrhr H. Seuate of lb? 1-75 mott acceptably to tba district, is a man ot bigb character, a good lawyer aud the very beat material for a b.te (Senator. Ae to Powderly'a Order.

Chicago. Dec. 17. 'ibe various leaders of tbe trades and labor organizatiotis of lhu city hold different opinions regarding effect and probable outcome ot the order from General Master Workman Powderly directing all assemblies of tbs Kuijbuj of Labor to withdraw tbsir delegates to the 1'ederation of Some are of tot opinion that tbe ieadeis of the Psuerauoaef Trades are jealous of Master Work mas Powderly. because a uuion of the Kuigata and tbe Assembly would caoss lass to yield their position.

A Question of Taxes. Cleveland. Dec 17. Suits were commenced ia tue United States Cirouil Co art this morning against tbe Treasurer of this county by tbe Cleveland National Bank, to First National Bank, tha Mercantile National Bauk, tbe Ohio Ratios! Bank, tbs National City Bank, tbe 'Commercial National Bank, the National nana of Commerce and toe Union National Bank. Tba suits sre brought, tot petitiouers say, because bank shares ars nol vaiued aud taxed ths same as property of Individual.

She Brought Gold. Nrw York, Dec 17. The atesaer Bourgogne, which arrived vsrterdar, brought 6,835.000 francs gold. AAOTUXa LOAD ooKisa. Dee.

17. The steamer Ausr, "it aieh saiied from Soutbamptoa to-dsy la jNsw York, carries ia gold. a v- rv grtm Til rCi Irf 9 Loxoo.x, Dec. 17, 4:30 r. H.

Of th bui.lon withdraw 0 from tbe Bank ot England to-day, 306,000 were for shipuiaat te America, Parle Court-bousa Burned. fbpeeiAl to the Couner-JouraaLi ranis, Dec 17. At 4 o'clock ibis mora, lag fire was discovered ia ths second story of tbe court-bouse, sad tbe building is now in a badiy damaged state. Tbe court room. Judge's cfllce.

County Clerk's room sal lores jury rooms were badly injured by fire and wsUr. Tbe pool 10 records wars also badly damaged. Ibe fire originated ia a defective flue. Tbe building coal 000; insurance 1 50.000. Shot by a Mob.

Littlx Rock. Deo. 17. Factor Joneaand Dick Bullock, two of the oar negroes who, a few days ago, murdered George Taafe, in the Choctaw Nation, be- .4 i.vWArA.I tttam li La i A tiA. and were released on JO bail, were caugul by a mob Wednesday, taken to tbe scene of tbe murder and riddled with outlets, sseh receiving not less tbau forty shots.

Sasd Smltu aud lieorge Muu, lbe other aiurcUrsr are la jail awaiting trial. Besinuins tbe Work. TOLXDO, Dec 17. Attorney Da vies, of New York, representing a number of tbs stockholders, made application to Si Walker, of tbe United States Court, tfili morning for an order placing that portion ot tbe Wabash system within the Stste of Ohio in the hands ot Receiver Cooler. Objection was made by N.

H. Swayne, oa tiw part of the present mauagemaat, wbo atked io be heard la oppo-itiou. Tbe court took the matter auder advisement. Not eo Funny, After AIL Aplktox, Dec 17. Two brotirs named Rasmussen, attending collsgs tf were taken to a room by a party of staintt and treated to a cold-water bath.

Robert Joyce, suspected of participating ia tbs affair, was expelled, and thereopoa fir accomplices confessed. Their names sre H. Walker, Ellsworth McKiauey, Dsvid Walker, Silss Randall and Geo. Olmstasa. Tbe college autuoruies have suspended tbsia until tbe Spring term.

Heavy Damages From Street-car Company. 8t. Locis, Dec 17. airs. Joat Cunningham, wbo was seriously injured seats time ago by jumping from a street-csr of tbe People's liae, wbich was in iaiminaal danger of colliding with a railroad train at tbe Fourth and Poplar-street crossing, WJ to-dsy awarded tbe uuu.uaily large suai cf 15.000 damages by a jury in tue Caroou Court.

Husband Freed and Wife Convicted. Dostow, Deo. 17. Tbe jary ia the case of llr. and airs.

Baker, wbo bars been on trial at East Cambridge for savers! days on a charge ot having murdered old Mrs. Susannah Prescott at Grotoo. ibed) their verdict with tbe court this morning. Baker is adjudged not guilty, wbiie Mrs. Baker is found guiity of murder second degree.

An Ex-Solon Arrested for rtobery. Littls Rock, Dec 17. E. Epperson, wbo represented. Jefferson county ia the State Legislature for two terms, was arrested last nigot for robbing an old rnaa named Hale of 10 at Pine Bluff, Ark.

Punishment for a Terriblo STDXIT. N. S. Deo. 16.

-Of tbs nias young men sentenced here on Nov. tat eriminailr assaulting a 16-year-old servant girl, tbe Executive has decided to comma's tbe sentences of three to impriionmeat life. Tne six others will be banged. Dos'T a coid have its own way, you mar be asslstiug by such neglret to Uy tne founUalious oi consumption. To cure the caoV obstinate cough or cola, relieve cougestloe tbeluuira, or oreak up aetiitna or pleurisy.

cou out Uo betr tbau use tia. I- Jar-s a rscTOaasT. a medicine whose popui u-ity as. aaie curative has bean niaisiaiwad lor bail a eaar Sure-.