THE
1
H
A
VOL. XIII. NO. 8G.
PHILADELPHIA, MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1870.
DOUBLE SHEET THREE CENTS.
Flo
FIRST EDITION
the cxiiszs in rzumcia
The Liberal Cabinet Pfssolved.
A Sketch of Mons. Buffet.
Counterfeiting
Cxpert.
Another Siti-o-CUyccririO Disaster.
etc.. Etc., Etc., Etc.
Etc.
FRANCE.
The MinUlrrlnl CrlnU and ltd Flrnt Fruit The
Liberal Cabinet liroken I p Ht Ljiuit.
The ministerial crisis which has been im
pending In Paris for soma days has at last re
sulted In tho breaking up of M. Olllvler's
Cabinet. M. Bullet, Minister of Finance, has
thrown np his portfolio, and It is expected that
Count Daru, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and
the Marquis do Tulhouet, Minister of Public
Works, will follow his example.
Ballet, the Outgoing AIlnlHter of Finance.
Louis Joseph Buffet, who vacates the olllce of
Minister of Finance, was .born at Mirecourt, lu
the Vosges, in the year 1818. Until the revolu
tion of 1848 he was a lawyer, enjoying a lucra
tive practice in his native place, but was little
known in politics. He was, however, quite
popular with the people, and the active part he
took in the events which culminated in the
overthrow of Louis Philippe recommended him
to publie favor, and he was elected to the Legis
lative Assembly for the Vosges by 73,701 votes.
Although an openly declared enemy to socialism
and inclined to favor the Orleans dynasty, being
epposed to the revolution of 1843, M. Buffet gave
in his adhesion to the republican constitution
and supported General Cuvaignac for tho Presi
dency. On the election of Louis Napoleon Le
acquiesced in the decision of the people, ar d
afur the retirement of M. Iiixlo accepted tl o
portfolio of Minister for Commerce and Agri
culture. As such and as a representative la
the Legislative Assembly his conrso conformed
to the views of the "party of order;" but as he
refused to adopt the political ideas which held
eway at the Palace of the Elysccs he retired
from the Ministry, with M. Odillon Barrot, on
the 31st of October, 1849. Re-elected to tho
Assembly from the Vosges, he became ene of
the most conspicuous members in the important
sessions that followed. In 1850 he was ap
pointed a member of the committee charged,
with M. Baroche, to consider the project for
electoral reform. After the crisis of 1851,
which preceded the coup d'etat, he ro-ontered
tho Parliamentary Cabinet as a representative of
the ideas of the majority, but soon after retired
With his colleagues because of his inability to
support the measures of tho President. So
highly was ho esteemed by Napoleon that, not
withstanding their disagreement, some days
lollowlng his resignation he was decorated with
I he Cross of the Legion of Honor.
Uj.on the final establishment of the second
Empire, M. Buffet withdrew from all participa
tion in public affairs, and lived in retirement
until 1809, when he again appeared before the
public as a successful candidate for the Corps
Leglslatlf. He was elected as a moderate libe
ral, but so tempered his opposition to the Em-
veror that, when tho crisis of last December
terminated in the overthrow of the irresponsible
ministry, ho was at once fixed upon by the Em
peror and M. Olllvlcr as a member ot the new
ministry. But when portfolios were first tend
ered him and Count Napoleon Daru, as the
recognized leaders of the Left Centre, they
declined, and it was not until after
the lapse of several days, and when the effort
of Ollivier to form a ministry was almost on the
point of failure, that they finally consented. Ou
January 3, the Journal Offlciel announced the
completion of the new ministry and the appoint
ment and acceptance of M. Buffet to tho Depart
ment of Finance. Through all the stormy
period which followed, M. Buffet remained in
harmony with his colleagues until the announce'
ment of the determination of the Emperor for a
pUMscitum on tho question of liberalizing the
Constitution. The Left Centre demanded the
inauguration of these reforms without an appeal
to the people, but when tho question was pre
sented directly to the Corps Leglslatlf on the
5th of April, the ministerial programme was
sustained by a vote of 227 to 43. From that
time rumors of M. Buffet's resignation have
been rife, and it is noj authoritatively an
nounced.
Mi Mngne, Probable Successor.
M. Pierre Mngne, who was the predecessor of
Buffet in the Department of Finance, will doubt
less be his successor. Ho was born at Perlgeux,
December 3, 1800. He is a self-made man, being
of what Is termed an "obscure" family. In 1831
he was admitted as an avocat, or attorney, and
was patronized by Marshal Bugcaud. M, Fould
noticed his peculiar ability, aud soon afterwards
took charge of his political fortuuos. no be- j
came a member both of the Constituent and
Legislative Assemblies, in which bodies he was
recognized as p. practical man, although not
much of a debating speech-maker. Ho retired
to private life in 1838, but was recalled to ofliclal
position as Under Secretary of State for Fi
nanee In 1849. April 10, 1S51, he was appointed
Minister of PubllcWorks, in which ofllce ho was
Tery successful during three or four years. Ho
was an able advocate of railroad extension in
France, and during the interim inspected all the
main lines already laid down in tho empire and
in other countries of Europe, adopting and
suggesting improvements. From 1854 to 1803
he held to the portfolio of Finance. In 18(10 he
was nominated Minister without a p irtfollo,
retired from the Cabinet In 1SG3 in consequence
of a disagreement with M. Fould, and was
named a Privy Councillor in April of the last
named year. In July, 1809, ho was again called
to the head of the Department of Finance, and
held that position until relieved by M. Buffet In
January, 1870. For a time it was thought that
be would be retained in the Cabinet under tho
new ministry, but it was found that there were
so many factions in the Liberal ranks to con
ciliate that It would be necessary for him to
vacate. If the report that he is to re-enter the
ministry should prove true, be will be an acces
fiion j )l 0WYler' toim. Vti is ttu cn:
plished nnd experienced financier, having origi
nated and successfully negotiated nearly all the
great loans which the Emperor has found neces
sary to bolster up bis throne. -
In December, 1853, he was appointed a Sena
tor. In 1851 he was made a commander of the
Legion of Honor, subsequently a grand officer,
and in 1854 received the grand cross. During
bis absence from Paris at one period tbo Em
press Eugenie visited him and found him feodlng
a brood of chickens.
The following letter, which M. Magne ad-
drefsed to M. Ollivier in January last, will
explain the elrcumstances, in outward appear
ance at least, under which the former left the
ministry, and the spirit in which ho will re-enter
it:
January 1. 1870 Mon ehcr Monsieur Olllvlnr:
1 8m greatly tone tied by your am1 able letter, and
thank you for It. The foundation of the Liberal Em
pire Is wlHhed lor by tho country. I have worked
to Achieve It with conviction and devotion. I am
still disponed heartily to co-operate In the object. Ilut
It in an arduous work, and the capital point Is succrsi.
isutning suoniu do neglected to bring an tne lunu
eures Into play. Now, I have been told that con
ferences we held yesterday between leaders of the
liight Centre and left Centre, and that arrange,
merits might be facilitated, ir a larger number of port
folios were to be distributed to new men, and more
particularly If tne finance portfolio wore at your
disposition. Consider well what you will do before
BnvthlDg is definitely settled, Perconal matters are
quite secondary. The least sacrifice for me to the
common cause weuld be to leave the field clear.
V nether far otr or near, I shall always bo found
among the most zealous and most truBtf ul partisans.
oire (out acvoue aiaunb.
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
The Artillery Nchool Exnmlnatlon A Search
ing Ordeal Result, of (ienernl tJrant'a Fore
tithe Correspondence Associated Press.
Foktress Monkor, April 9 The annual
examination of the lieutenants and non-commissioned
officers who have been under in
struction during the past year at the Artillery
8chotil of the United titates Army commenced
at Fortress Monroe on the 1st instant, and is
now progressing.
The examination is conducted by a board of
artillery and ordnance ofllcers, presided over by
Major-General Barry, the commandant of tho
school and of the post of Fortress Monroe.
The examination is very thorough and search
ing. Each officer is called up to the blackboard
in true West Point fashion, and is there required
to demonstrate some proposition or problem
relating to the subject on which he is being ex
amined. He is closely questioned over the whole
range of the subject, and is made not only to
state the facts and dicta of the text, but also to
give the reasons for them.
Tne subjects wnicn are tne course ot study at
the Artillery School are military, constitutional,
and international law, military history, military
engineering, ordnance and gunnery, and the
ttudy ana actual practice ot tno drill service
rnd mechanical manoeuvres of every variety of
aitillery usedin the United States service.
The examination in this last-named subject
consists in eaoh lieutenant being required to
drill a gun-detachment with each Kind of gun;
to perform the numerous mechanical operations
of mounting, dismounting, and transporting to
other portions of the fort the gnns and their
carriages, and to give the names and uses of all
the numerous implements, equipments, and
teparate parts appertaining to them.
That the examination is very tnorougn may
be taken for granted, when it is stated that each
officer is about three hours on the stand.
At i he close of the examination a parchment
cert ficate, signed by the commandant and by
all the instructors, is given to each officer who
arses the ordeal of examination successfully,
ast year General W. T. Sherman, General of
the army, came from Washington to Fortress
Monroe for the express purpose of delivering
these certificates or diplomas. On that occasion
he spoke characteristic words of commendation
of the school, and of encouragement to the
oung officers who were then about to graduate.
This yettr it is expected that both General Sher
man and the Secretary of War will show their
continued confidence in tho school and its ob
jects by coming to Fortress Monroe for the same
purpose.
The Artillery School is tho creation of Gene
ral Grant, who, when Secretary of War, availed
himself of the opportunity to supply, by its
establishment, a want long felt in the artillery
arm of the service. The school has now been
in existence for two years, and is tully justify
ing the hopes and expectations which its
warmest friends hoped and predicted for it. Its
success is duo in a great measure to the per
sonal efforts of its worthy commander, General
Barry, who is one of the most accomplished
artillery ofllcers in the service, a strict discipli
narian, ana wno gives tne matter nis uuaiviaca
attention.
The academic year closes on tho first of May,
ana the officers who have been under instruc
tion, nnd who pass their examinations success
fully, are sent to tneir respective regiments, a
new detail of olllcers from each of the five rogl
mcnts of artillery are then ordered to report to
General Barry at Fortress Monroe for the next
year's course of instruction.
There can be no question of the fact that the
artillery of the army, and the whole army Itself,
is greatly benefited by the work and results of
the Artillery ecnooi.
liurnluir of the Steamer Kennebec.
The steamer N. P. Banks, of tho Norfolk and
YorKtown lino, arrived hero at 4 P. M. to-day,
and reports tho burning of the steamer Kenne
bec at tho Gloucester Point wharf this morning,
From Captain McCarrick and Mr. Trower, tho
mate, we learn the following particulars: Tho
Kennebec was from Baltimore bound to West
Point, York river, with a cargo of freight and
passengers. She arrived at Gloucester Poiut
about daylight, nnd while tho crew wcro dis
charging some freight, a lire was discovered
proceeding from the vicinity of the boiler. All
hands were at once called to extinguish it, but
so rapidly did the fluuies spread that it was with
uiiticuity tho passengers could be saved.
One of tho men informed us that it did not
seem to him more than five minutes after the
alarm was 'given until she was one sheet ot
llarne from stem to stern. Tho passengers were
unable to save any of their baggage, and some
of them bad to come ashore in their night
clothes. The Kennebec was a side-wheel
steamer of about 800 or 900 tons, and ran from
Baltimore to West Point in connection with tho
Richmond and New York River Railroad. She
burnt her lines, and drifted off on the flats,
where her hulk now lies, burnt to tho water's
K 1TK0 C LYCKKINE AG UN.
Two Men Killed at Hhoff ner'a Works at Kldge
Held, N. J.
Another fatal explosion of nltro-glycerlno oc
curred on Friday afternoon, on the Hackensack
meadows, at tho ruins of the glycerine works of
T. P. Sballner. A few weeks ago rfh explosion
at this place destroyed the lives of tour persons
and reduced the factory to ruins. Thousands of
pounds of the explosive substance were con
sumed at the time, but there remained in one
quurtcrof the yard in which the factory stood
a quantity that remained unexploded. Tho work
of removing the debris and clearing the ground
was commenced a few days ago, aud has given
employment to a number of workmen. Yester
day afternoon two of these men, father and
son, were removing a lot ot the glycerine, when
it exploded, killing them instantly. Their
bodies, which were thrown to a great distance
from the spot where they were standing, were
horribly mangled. They were removed by the
other workmen to an adjacent bouse, and Jus
tice Miller, of Englewood, was notified to view
i the bodls nd bold w JnqueBt. Tbta lwt
rnd Illustration of the dingers attending the
use ot nltro-glycerine has aroused the people to
a realization of the peril in which they were
placed by the existence of the factory in the
community, and it Is probable that the rebuild
ing of the works, which was said to have been
contemplated by the proprietors, will not be
effected.
STRANGE IF TRUE
The Sea Serpent Ontdone A
nideone
iTioamrr.
The Savannah Advertiser of a recent date
publishes tho following startling narrative:
A. party coming to tnis city irom soutn
rxllna. through Wright river, in a small sail
boat, manned by three negro oarsmen, has fur
nished us with a decidedly sensational account
of bis adventures with one of the most unheard
of creatures that ever crawled or lloatod under
the firmament of heaven, and assured us posi
tively that ho has not been deceived by any
frtak of fancy or undue excitement of mind.
Our informant, on the morning of tho 23th,
t ards noon, as he tells us, when about half a
mile from Wright river, a stream merging into
the Savannah, two miles above Fort Pulaski,
with his negro men pulling quietly along near
the shore, the slight-built craft was suddenly
nnd without any premonitory sign lifted up, as
by Eome immense roller, throwiug the crew out
of their scats and completely scaring the life
out of them. The shock was so sudden that
danger existed for a second of the bout turning
over, but luckily it righted again and sank back
Into the water, wnicn foamed like brenkers.
"But," says the hero of the adventure, "I did
not heed the danger around me in this respect
nor the grovelling fear of the men with me, for
I could not. if life was at stake, have taken my
eyes away from the hideous creatnre that had
caused all the commotion, and was making its
way lazily out of tho river into the long rushes
on tho bank.
"Never before had I anticipated such a mon
strosity, nor do I ever wish to see another. A
creature almost indescribable, though its gene
ral appearance Is fixed in my mind's eye too
indelibly for plensaut afterthought. The beast,
fish or reptile, whatever species of God's crea
tion it might be classed under, was of a tawny
greenish color, growing more definite towards
the head. Ihebodyof the creature was seal-
shaped, apparently twenty feet long and as
thick as tho carcass of the largest-sized elephant.
from in is irunK sprung lorin tne most remark
able feature of the phenomenon, a long, curved,
swan-like neck, large enough apparently to
have taken a man in whole, terminated by a
head and jaws similar to that of an immense
boa constrictor, the eyes fishy, yet possessing
ferocity enough in their expression to make a
man tremble. The back of tho beast was
deeply ridged, tho ridges runulng from the
base of the nccK to the extreme end of the tail.
and several inches deep. An immense tail,
shaped something like an alligator's and three
times longer, so it seemed, than the body com
pleted the tout ensemble of this wonderful ano
maly. Tne creature navigated by feet, resem
bling the fore feet of an alligator, and its pro
gress on land was slow." "With all this com
bination of the terrible before me," says our
friend, "it was not strange that I trembled, but
before the frightened men had time to act, or I
time to advise, the cause of our terror drew itself
across the little island, out of sight, into tho
water beyond." "It did not take us long to
recover our senses and as quickly leave the
scene, though the shock to our nerves, and,
indeed, to our belief in things possible and im
possible, precluded anything like hard work."
The above statement we have trom the lips ot
the gentleman himself, and, being duly vouched
for, we have every reason to believe in its
truth.
MYSTERIES OF COUNTERFEITING.
Testimony f an Kxnerc Now Nerving a Sen
tence In the ludtitua Penitentiary.
The Detroit Post has the following:
One John B. Trout, who is now serving a sen
tence in the Indiana State Prison, at Michigan
City, was brought here to show that the Johnson
family had been in the counterfeiting business
In Indiana from 18G5 until 1807, at which latter
date Trout was sent to prison.
For the benefit of the Court, counsel, jury,
and' spectators, ho entered into a minute de
scription of the process of engraving plates and
printing notes, describing the various articles
which had been seized in the Johnson house,
and their various uses in counterfeiting. But
the most wonderful exhibition of his skill was
in telling the name of the engraver of a plate by
examination of a bill printed from it. He was
thoroughly familiar with the work of all the
engravers. Ho detected a counterfeit from a
genuine bill at a glance. He readily designated
as counterfeit an issue which even the Treasury
Department took as geuuine for some time
before detecting an false, the department then
being obliged to cancel the genuine issue because
the false was so nearly perfect. The United
States Marshal has a book containing samples of
all tho counterfeits yet Issued. Trout looked at
these bills and told the engraver correctly each
time witn very little examination.
Among these bills were those from plates en
graved by Boyd and Ulrich, and other celebrated
counterfeiters, and which are so perfectly done
as to deceive ua out oi every iuo porsons accus
tomed to the examination of money. Trout
could not describe the process by which he dis
tinguished these various bills, but characterized
it as an Indescribable lnstiuct. He said he bad
worked off huudreds of thousands of dollars in
counterfeit money while he was engaged in tho
business. He is apparently about thirty-five years
of aire, and seems to bo on the brink of a con
sumptive's grave. His term of sentence does not
expire for two years yet. But he savs he
does not exnect a pardon, thomrh so near death,
He prefers to end his days in prison, and has
made his cotllu wltn bis own bauds, lie, is a
modest, quiet-looking man, and says his appear
ance always won him the confidence of those with
whom he came in contact, and had much to do
with bU success in disposing of counterfeit
tnoncy. It sectus Surprising that a man of his
tnlcnt should choose to use it in a course of
crime and end his life in a state prison. His
skill, exercised in a legitimate direction, would
doubtless have gained him a competency.
Foreign Items
A new idea in connection with "dust and
disease" has been broached in a recent lecture
by Mr. Bloxam, tho lecturer on chemistry to
the English Department of Artillery Studios.
Ho suggests that tho Committee on Explosives,
abandoning gun-cotton, should collect the
germs of small-pox, aud other malignant dis
eases, on cotton or other dust-collecting sub
stances, nnd load sho'ls with them. We should
then hear of an enemy dislodged from his posi
tion by a volley of typhus, or a few rounds of
Asiatic cholera.
Recent analyses show that the standard of
the Pope's silver coins is iufcrior to that of
France by 'DOS. In consequence of this dis
covery tbo I'atrie demands that public assays bo
made of the Belgian, Swiss, and Italian coinage,
in accoradnce with tho convention of 1805.
M. Sommer propounds a new theory of
sleep; his Idea is that sleep is simply a result of
the deoxygenatlon of the system, and he be
lieves that sleepiness comes on as soon as the
oxygen stored iu the blood Is exhausted.
The returns from the departments of Eure
et Loire and l'Yonne point to a dreadful preva
lence of infanticide. About (50 per cent, of tho
illegitimate children are murdered.
A new opera by tho Baroness de Malstre,
called Les Jioussalkas' . and founded upon a
Russian fairy tale, has just been produced with
some success at the Theatre Monnale, Brussels.
M. Grad has published some new investiga
tions of the geology of the curiously torined
lake of the Vosges.
SECOND EDITION
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH.
Unlawful Naval Punishments.
Order of Secretary Robeson.
Our Fleet in the West Indies.
FROM WASnUfQTOJC.
Important Naval Order.
Bpteial Despatch to The Evening Telegraph.
Washington, April 11 Tho following Im
portant order has been issued by tho Navy De
partment Id tho case of a court-martial where
unlawful punishments were executed:
First. At a naval general court-martial held
on board tho United States steamship Ports
month, in tho Bay of Rio Janeiro, January 13,
i3iu, oy oraer oi Kear Admiral Joseph Lanman,
United States Navy, commanding South Atlan
tic licet, of which court Captain Stephen D.
Trenchard, United States Navy, was president,
was arraigned and tried Joseph King, ordinary
eeuiuuu, inucu Dimes navy, on tne iouowing
charges and specifications:
Oharge first. V iolatlon of article 7. section 4.
articles for the better government of the navy.
specincauon iirst. in tnis, that the said Joseph
King, ordinary seaman, and serving as such on
board the United States ship Portsmouth, third
rate, on or about the 7th day of May, one thou
sand eight hundred and sixty-nine, at anchor in
the bay of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, being ordered
by his superior officer, Lieutenant John Schou
ler, who at the time was officer of the dock of
said ship, to go aft anal take the hoops out of
the cabin wind-sail, did use disrespectful lan
guage to the said Lieutenant John Schoular,
saying, "I'm not going to take seven days on
the black list from a dirty drunken like
Mr. Robertson, the executive officer of the
vessel," or words to that effect, and wnenlbelng
placed under the charge of a sentry by the
master-at-arms the said Joseph King, ordinary
seaman, did say, "There is not an officer on the
ship who is not a beach-comber, or words
to that effect.
Specification second. In this, that the said
Joseph King, ordinary seaman, and serving as
such on board tho United States ship Ports
mouth, third rate, on or about tho eighth day of
May, one thousand eight hundred and sixty
nine, said vessel being then at anchor in the
bay of Rio de Janeiro, did say to his command
ing officer. Commander A. A. Semmes, in the
presence of the officers and crew of said vessel,
who were assembled on the quarter-deck to hear
the sentence of a summary court-martial In his
case, "Hell will not be full until you and old
Robertson get there;" and a few minutes after
wards, in presence of Lieutenant-Commandorj
J. C. Robertson and H. H. Gorring, did use the
following language to his commanding officer,
Commander A. A. Semmes, "You old
." And a short time after the foregoing
occurrence, while his commanding officer. Com
mander A. A. Semmes, was passing the launch
in which Joseph King, ordinary seaman, was
confined, he, Joseph King, ordinary seaman, did
bail Commander A. A. Semmes with the words,
"You old ."
Charge two. Violation of article 7, section 10,
articles for the better government of the navy.
Specification. In this, that the said Joseph
King, ordinary seaman, and serving as such on
board the United States steamship Portsmouth,
third rate, on or about the 7th day of Decem
ber, 1800, said vessel being then at anchor in
tbe Bay of Rio de Janeiro, did, in company with
others, attempt to desert in the dingey of tho
United States ship Portsmouth, and did not
desist therefrom until brought to by a shot from
a carbine striking one of the oars ot the boat.
Charge third. Violation of article 3 section 2,
articlesifor tho better government of the navy.
Specification. In this, that the said Jos. King,
ordinary seaman, and serving as such on board
tbe United States steamship Portsmouth, third
rate, on or about the 7th day of December, 1809,
said vessel being then at anchor in the Bay of
Rio de Janeiro, did when arrested in the act
of desertion from said vessel, brandish a boat
hook at and otherwise threaten Lieutenant J. E.
Craig and Ensign C. P. Shaw, his superior
officers, who made the arrest, challenging Lieu
tenant J. E. Craig to personal combat. To tho
first specification of the first charge tho accused
pleaded, in bar of trial, as follows: The ac
cused pleads in bar of trial to the first specifica
tion of the first charge that immediately after
the date of said specification, viz., 7th of May,
1801, he was tried by a summary court-martial
and sentenced to confinement in double-Irons,
on bread and water for thirty days, loss of three
months pay, and extra police duties for three
months, ' and that this sentence having
been carried in.o effect he was
fully restored to duty, nor was he informed that
charges were pending against him. and he
therefore prays the court to dismiss this specifi
cation to the charge as against the spirit and
letter of naval regulations, article 32, section 1.
The Court sustained this plea, and dismissed
the said specification. They did this upon evi
dence produced in secret session when the
court was closed for deliberation, and in tho
absence of the accused. That evidence should
have been produced only in open court, by tho
accused, as part of his case nnd in support of
bis plea. Thus, while tho conclusion arrived at
upon the proof was correct and Is approved by
tne 6creiary oi mo navy, me moae oi intro
ducing that proof was wholly irregular and is
dipanwroved.
To the second specification of tho first charge
tne accused pieaueu in oar as lotiows:
AS to the eecouu speculation ot the first
charge, the accused pleads that he was tried by
a summary court-martial ou the 7th of May,
1801), received a certain sentence, which ho be
lieves to have been approved in duo form, aud
that, after tho finding and sentence of tho court
were published, ho was punished in addition to
the sentence ot tue court as luuows;
On the morning of the 8th of Maybe was cou
flned in the launch of the Portsmouth, his feet
ironed to a ring-bolt, his hands in irons exposed
to the burning rays of the sun, aud was forced
to remain in this position without food or drink
until towards evening, when he was taken from
the launch to the berth deck of the ship, and
there gagged and confined In a sweat-box of such
dimensions that it was Impossible to sit down in
it. In addition to the 111 veutllatiou of the
place, which he was not allowed to loave, a
bucket was placed in the sweat-boxfor purposes
of nature that was emptied but once in the
twenty-four hours. His health was affected to
such an extent that It was thought expedient he
should be put uuder medical treatment, and he
was so treated, still remaining in confinement;
and the sentence having been carried out, he
was fully restored to duty, nor was he Informed
that charges were pending against him, and ho
therefore prays the court to dismiss second
specification to tho first charge, as against tho
spirit and letter of naval regulations, article oi,
section 1.
The Court overruled this plea, and thereupon
the accused pleaded not guilty to said specifica
tion, and not guilty to charge first.
To the specification of the second charge the
accused pleaded in bar as follows: To the speci
fication of the second charge the accused pleads
in bar of trial that article 10, of the act of July
17, 1802, for the better government of the navy,
empowers commanding officers of vessels to in
flict a certain kind and degree of punishment
upon officers and others under their command.
This power haying been exercised to the full
extent of the law by Commander A. A. Bcmmes,
U. S. N., and In addition to this authorised
Eunlsbmenl torture of an Illegal kind
avlng keen Inflicted upon the accused immedi
ately aiter tne aate or tne oflense charge in
the specification, as follows: On the 7th of
December ne was confined in double Irons on
tbe berth deck of the Portsmouth, and on the
same evening was made to stand by a reel on
tbe deck, and bis bands boing Ironed behind
bim were attached to an eye-bolt above, aud
kept np for sixty hours or thereabouts, during
.K..n frAlA knn. s wt.lnk V .
" I'W'O uuuio v nuiu in w guggea.
He was so confined for ten days, with the ex
ception of two periods of twonty-fonr hours
each, and claims, therefore, to have fully ex
piated any offense be maV have been charge
able witn at mat time, imt pica was over
ruled.
The accused then pleaded not guilty to said
specification and to the second charge.
To the specification of the third charge tbe
accused pleaded in bar as follows: To the
specification of tho third charge the accused
plead, in bar of trial, that article 10 of tbe act
ot duly 17, isoa, lor tne better government or
the navy, empowers commanding officers of
vessels to inflict a certain kind and degree of
punhbment upon officers and others under their
command.
This power haying been exercised to the full
extent of tbe law by Commander A. A.
Semmes, U. S. N., and in addition to this, au
thorized punishment, torture of an illegal kind
having been Inflicted npon the accused imme
diately after tho date of the offense charged In
the specification, as follows: Oh the 7th of De
cember, 1809, he was confined in double ironson
the berth deck of the Portsmouth, and on tho
same evening was made to stand by a reel on the
deck, and his hands being ironed beblnd him.
were attached to an eye-bolt above, and kept
up for sixty hours or thereabouts, during about
twelve hours of which be was gagged; he was so
confined for ten days, with the exception of two
periods of twenty-four hours each, and claims
therefore to nave iuiiy expiaiea any oiteuso
he may have been chargeable with at that time.
This plea was overruled Dy tne court, ineac
ensed thereupon plioded not guilty to said spe
ciflcation and not guilty to the third charge.
Finding. The court proceeded to consider of
its findings upon the charges and specifications
before It, ana alter lull ana mature considera
tion of all the evidence, find in the case of Jo
seph King, ordinary seaman. United States
Navy, as follows: The second specification of
tne nrst cnargo proved, ana tne court ao aa
judge bim guilty of the first charge in a less
degree than charged; that is, guilty of so much
as is contained In the following words: "or shall
treat with contempt his superior officer, or shall
be disrespectful to mm in language or deport
ment whilst in the exercise of his office." -
Tho specification of second charge proved in
part, mat is, oi ail tne speciucation except tne
words, "and did not desist .therefrom until
brought to by a shot from a carbine striking
one of the oars of the boat," and the Court do
adjudge the accused guilty of the second charge.
The specification of the third charge proved and
the uourt ao aajuage tne accused guilty oi the
tnira cnargo.
Sentence Ana tne court ao therefore sen
tence tbo said Joseph King, ordinary seaman
United States navy, to be confined in double
irons till an opportunity offers of sending him
to tne united utes in a united states vessel.
when he shall be sent; and during the passage
home be shall be confined in double irons, and
on ms arrival in tue unitea states he shall be
confined in such prisou or penitentiary as the
Hon. Secretary of the Navy shall designate for
five years at hard labor, the time of confinement
In the prison or penitentiary to count from the
date ot the sentence; to forfeit all the pay
which may become due him,, amounting to
$925 09. he being now in debt to the Govern
ment to tho amount of $31-91, with the excep
tion oi vi, to oe pam to mm on nis aiscnarge
from confinement, and at the expiration of his
term of sentence to bo dishonorably discharged
tne navai service oi tne unueo states.
Seeond. It is apparent from the record of pro
ceedings in this case that Joseph King, tho
accused, bad before this trial been severely pun
ished for the offenses set forth in these charges
and specifications. The circumstances attending
his confinement show that more was done than
merely holding him in custody to await the
action of a general court-martial. Whatever
was extra to legal confinement was punishment,
and though sufferings were inflicted which no
sentence could lawfully impose, and which wcro
as illegal and cruel as they were unnecessary to
bis sale-keeping, tho fact that the punishment
was illegal and cruel does not deprive him of his
right to plead that punishment as expiation of
his offense.
The Secretary will not here comment npon
the nature of the punishment as sot forth in tho
pleas of the accused. This is under investiga
tion, and will be dealt with hereafter as circum
stances may require. The finding and sentence
in this caso are disapproved and set aside for tho
reason that the accused had been already pun
ished. Ordinary seaman Joseph King will, on receipt
of this order, be discharged from confinement
and restored to duty.
George M. Robbson,
Secretary of the Navy.
Iron-Clads for the West IndleH.
As was expected, the United States steamer
Frolic will not convoy the Iron-clad Terror to
Key West and Havana, but the Mercury, com
manded by Master William H. Brlce, will leave
tho Washington Navy Yard to-day for Norfolk,
where she will join the Terror and accompany
her to K ey West. The iron-clad Miantonomab
will leave the BoBton Navy Yard in a day or two
for Hampton Roads; from henco she will be
convoyed to Key West.
The Llhthen(ie Board.
A circular has been Issued from tho Light
house Board to ofllcers in the lighthouse service.
It provides that hereafter each vessel must be
snpplied with a suitable boll for giving warning
to approaching vessels In foggy or thick weather
in addition to a fog horn to be blown at short
Intervals durlug fogs and thick weather, and
steamers, when there is no steam for sounding
the steam whistle as required by law.
All vessels in tho lighthouse service are re
quired to conform strictly to the laws of Con
gress in regard to tho rule of tho board for
passing vessels aud carrying lights while under
way aud at anchor. Masters and others neglect
ing their duties in this rr gard will subject tneru
solves to all tho penalties of the law and to dis
missal from employment from the lighthouse
service.
FROM EUROPE.
Tula fflornlnK'a Onotntlona.
London, April n Noon. Consols for monoy, 3' ;
for account, WitjtVifi. American securities dull.
V. 8. Five-twenties oi W,2, 90J4 ; lsUfts, 80. ; loOTs,
8? ; 10-40S, H6. Htocks quiet; Erie linl'road, V0
llliuola Central, UW, Atlautlo and Great West
em, U8. , , . .
LiVKiirooL, April 11 Noon. Cotton quiet; mtd
dllag uplands, ll.Vd. : middling Orleans, UM'I- The
sales will probably reach 10,000 bales. Hod Western
Wheat, 7s. ad. Common Uosin, . d. Tallow,
43s. d.
New York Money and MoeklTIarketa.
Niw you, April u blocks active. Money easy at
Bater cent. Gold, 114. Five-twenties, 1862, oou
poii, 112; da ib64, do., no?,'; do. 1803 da, my;
do. do. new, 109i ; da 1861, 110 t do. 186. 110 ;
10-408, 106ii; Virginia s, new, 69; ttlsiourl 6s, 92 ' ;
Canton Co., 674f : Cumberland preferred, 80, ; Con
solidated N. Y. Central and Hudson Hivor, 92 ;
Krie, as','; Reading, WV: Adama Express, 60;
Michigan Central, UX j Michigan Southern, 87 V!
Illinois Central. 13V! Cleveland and Pittsburg,
loo ; Plttsbarg and Fort Wayne, MSC; Western
Vnlon Telpgrapn, 82.
Ohltaary.
Boston, April 11. Rct. Charles J. Bowen.
pastor of Mount Pleasant Congregational
Cburcb, died yesterday.
THE
A5TI-CAPIT1L
BILL.
ruiasnHExx
LITTBa FROM MR. BOTH.
To ths Sditor of TU Kventna Tthyraph: At
many or the earnest friends of the abolition of
capital punishment may feel an anxiety to know what
became of the bill which bad been Introduced for tbe
practical abolition of the gallows, I desire to state
the facta as to the manner In which the bill was dis
posed or, tnat tne people may know how things are
managed at llarrlsburg.
On tbe 14th of March, nearly fonr weeks before '
the adjournment of the Legislature, the bill was
introduced In the House and referred to the Jodl
clary Committee, of which Mr. Johnson, ot Craw
ford, was chairman, and Mr. Heluoehl, of Lancaster,
secretary, both of whom were opposed to any shanf q
oi the present law.
According to ths rules of the House, a committee
may retain possession of a bill for tea days, when,
If it be not reported, a majority of the House may
discharge the committee from the further conslde- '
ration of the same. On tbe 84th, the ten days having
expired, I walled upon the chairman of the com
mittee and Informed Mm that unless the bill was
Immediately reported the committee would be as
once discharged from the further consideration
thereof.
The chairman replied that he would without delay
convene the committee, which was done on the fol
lowing morning, when I was Invited to address the
seventeen members composing It, which I did, and
a majority of the committee ordered the bill reported
with an aillrmatlve recommendation. Reports of
committees were In order on the following Monday,
the 2htli. The secretary, disobeying the instructions
of the committee, kept the bill in his desk Instead
of reporting It, and whsn called upon the day
after to know why he had fulled m his
duty, said that the : committee desired
to reconsider its action. I took the pains
tu asceruuu wuicu luoiuuera vi tue coiumiuee
desired a meeting for such purpose, and found thsy
were those members only who were In the minority
and bad opposed the bill in the first instance. How
ever, the committee again met, and again ordered
the bill favorably reported, which occurred on tho
2d of April, having been In their hands for nineteen
days; and then, as It were, forced from their hands
only Ave days before the adjournment.
As the last "public calendar" day had passed, this
beiog a public bill, It could be brought before the
House only by a two-thirds vote, which the friends
of the measure had not secured and thus was no
action had upon IU Had this 1U been reached it
would have passed both bouses by a oiear and deel-
tended to every member or eitnor bouse, I know
precisely what I lay when I state that there would '
have been fifty-eight votes for the bill in the House, ''
and forty-one against It, reckoning the doubtful as
well. In the Henate there would have been nine
teen votes for the bill and fourteen against It,
placing the doubtful amongst them.
Of the delegation from Philadelphia, Including
Senators and Representatives, there were sixteen
for the bill and but six against It. Thus was the
will of the people defeated by the factious opposi
tion or one or more members of the Judiciary Com
mittee. Bliad the bill passed the Legislature, I have the
best of reasons for believing that It would have been
Tewreu ujr mio A.ecuiive. uuveruur vtenrj b ikjh- '
tillty to any change in the present law was well ;
known to nearly every member, and this knowledge '
did not aid our cause. 1
The delay in the good work is but temporary. Tha
public agitation will be resumed in the early autumn, '
and "unconditional repeal" will be the rallying cry r
of the reform army which, in the next session, will
be found ready to complete the work which was '.
only delayed by a mere trick of the opponents of ths
measure.
A bill totally abolishing the penalty ef death wilt '
be Introduced during the first days of ths next ses- 1
sion of the Legislature. . . t
1 take this opportunity of making my publlo
acknowledgments to the I'hlladelpliia city press for
the personal courtesies extended me for the past :
four months, and to the committees of ladles and
friends who have labored so gealously in the good
work I may say, "You have your own reward."
Marvin H. Bovik. 1
Philadelphia. April 11, 1870.
Herr Wagner's proposed lectures at Berlin '
on "Opera and tho Drama" are not likely to
take place. The suggestion, thouch coming
direct from nerr Wagner himself, was so coldly
received that the musician of the future bad no '
choice but to withdraw it. . r
LATEST SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
For additional Marine News see Inside Pages.
PORT OP PHILADELPHIA . ....APRIL 11
BTATI Or THIBMOMETKB AT TUB EVENING TBLBOB1PH
OFFICE. . . . k
T A. M 62 1 11 A. M 66 1 9 P. M........M
CLEARED THIS MORNING. , ' '
Steamer Tacony, Nichols, New York, W. M. Baird
Co. . .
Steamer M. Massey, Smith, New York, W. M. Baird
Co.
Schr Julia E. Pratt, Nickergon, Boston,'. Reppller,
(lordon A Co. . ,.,
Schr June N. Baker, Reed, Boston, , do.
ARRIVED THIS MORNING. ' -
Br. brig Arlola, Dunscorab, S3 days from Mayaguez,
with sugar and molasses to John Mason A Co. ves
sel to C. C. Van Horn,
Br. schr Ada, Belzeo, IS days from St. John, N.B.,
with lumber to Mather tc Wolmsey vessel toC. C
Van Horn. w
Schr Florence J. I.ockweod. Johns, 11 days from
Cardenus, with molasses to E. C. Knight & Co. .
Schr hattanooga, Black, 16 days from Cardenaf,
with molasses to C. k C. M. O'Callagban.
Schr Nellie Tarbox, Conery, is days from Havana,
with molasses to S. W. Welsh.
Schr Ruth Shaw, Shaw, 11 days from Cordoned,
With sugar and molasses to 8. k W. Weltih. J j
Schr Jos. Maxiield, May, 11 days from Calbarion,
with molasses to Dallett t Son,
Schr J. J. Spencer, Heathers, 19 days from Sagua,
with sugar to S. & W.- Welsh. . 1
Schr Wary Stow, Kankln, 7 days from Jacksonville,
with lumber to Benton k Bro vessel to Lennox &;
Burgess. '-i
Schr Amanda M. Flanagan, Snyder, 8 days from
Burien, Ca., with lumber to Souder Adams. '
Schr L. C. Hickman, Adams, 8 days from Partes,
Ga , with lumber to Souder Adams. .
Schr I). Gilford, Jirrell, 6 davs from Charleston,
with phosphate rock and timber to Chas. Haslara Ac
Co.
Schr Ella Amsdon, Smith, 9 days from Cardenas,
with molasses to Harris, lleyl 4 Co vessel to War
ren & Gregg. ,
Schr E. If. Blocksom, Blocksom, 9 days from Dover
Landing, Del., with grain to Jos. K. Palmer..
SchrJ.K. Burnite, Fowler, 9 days from LUOe
Creek, lel., with grain to Jos. E. Pulmer. J
Schr John M. Cluyton, Tunneli, 1 day from Ffe
dci ica, Del., with grain to Jos. L. Bewley k Co. (
Schr Tycoon, Cooper, 1 day from Kmyrna,, JJel.,
with groin to Jas. L. liewley A Co.
Schr Banner, Tunneli, 1 day from Frederica, D.,
with grain to Jas. L. Uewley k Co. :
, . : .. ,-.T , ., r
Ship Royall'harlle, from Liverpool, arrived yes
terday, Is consigned to Penrose, Massey ft CO. not
as before. "" -;"i5
MISCELLANY. "1 '. ' ' -t"
A despatch to the underwriters sayB, the brig MAn
Huh, before reported ashore oil' Clarke's Point, Dela
ware bav, was hove off yesterday by E. J. Morrlsl of
Lewes, Del., aud Is now at Mahou's ditch, wailing
tow; her hull is in good condition. . '
Jirlg Iza, arrived yesterday from Sagna, reports':
6th Inst., otr Little Bahamas, experienced a severe
gain from N. to SK., with heavy foiling sea; shifted
cargo, and stovo In IIS hhds of molasses .between
decks. ' '
MEMORANDA. ' r ' 1. .j
Steamship Wyoming, Teal, for phllaiUjlphia,
cleared at Savannah th Inst. '
Steamship Pioneer, Wakeley, hence, at WlhUlbg
ton, N. C, Uth Inst. L.' "". -fl. .
Brig George E. Dale, Pierce,, for Phlladclnhls,
sailed from Matanaus 1st Inst.
Brig Altavela, lteed, sailed 'from CarderiaaiTth,
nit., for a port north of Hatteras. ; k.,'j. i ri
Brig Centaur, Moore, for Phua4elnhia, sailed ftom
Clenfuegos Sttth ult. i; ,
Brig frontier, Morgan, at Xlavana flth uU; ftora
SJerra Moreno, and sailed 9th for Phtladolphta.r
Schr U. B. McCauley, Y loiters, .heuoe, at Uafana.
88KchrAdf llza, Wright,' hence, at MatanMUf 9Mtfl ult,
Schr Mary I). Haskell, Barbour,' hence, atMaUUi
Bcbr Walter Scott, McLean, tor r6Jaelphtft
sailed from Matanzaa 27th ult. . A
Schr Osseo, Walsh, for PUUadclpulSi Cleared MB
John, N, B' 8th tot, -; J I '' '