The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVE SING, MARCH 7, 1870.

lON CENTRES.

COUNTRY AROUND ST. PAUL, WISCONSIN.
Wisconsin is a rolling prairie State, standing.
600 to 1,200 feet above the sea level, with no moun-
tains or lofty hills. It extends from Lake Micui-
gan to the Mississippi, and from Illinois, which
bounds it on the South to Lake Superior, whereon
it is co-terminus with Michigan. From North to
South it runs over 300 miles, varying from 146 to
258 in breadth, containing 53,924 square miles, or
34,511,360 acres, of which 10,000,000 remained for
sale, according to the Commissioner's Report in
1867. The aspect of the State is peculiar, and mono-
tonous in its uniformity. The land swells and falls
gently undulating, till the country west of Sugar
River and south the Wisconsin is reached, where
it becomes somewhat broken, principally by a divid-
ing ridge, along which the road from Madison to
Prairie du Chien passes, where there are several
peculiar elevations called "Mounds." There is a range
west of the Wisconsin, awl the soutli-e, st 2rn sec-
tion is marked by ral,ines along the streams, though
they are but little depressed below tl:e general lcvei.
The prominent feature of this port'on is a wLII-
- pri.dr:e, interspersed with flowers of every
hue, but without a tree or sitrul: •, but here and there
are lakes bordered by woodlaud awl oak °pilings.
The trees increase towards the nor;h, and bL.3 and
he Fox ard Wieconsiu Rivers the soil gr ulaal)y
changes from the vegetable mould of the prairie to
a sandy loam. There are large marshes th ere, with an
abundant growth of ccanberries and wild rice. As
Lake Superior is neared the surface becomes in -)re
uneven, and the streams, which had hither to flowed
smoothly, grow rapid. The level nature of the
Southern portion makes the rivers more navigable,
the Wisconsin and the Neenah being deep almost to
their sources. As the Wisconsin empties into the
Mississippi and the Neenah into Green Bay, Lake
Michigan, the two approaching near are joined by
a canal, thus enabling boats to pass from the river
system of the Mississippi Valley into the river sys-
tem of the Lakes and the St. Lawrence. The scenery
is much diversfied by these large rivers, and the
numerous clear pure streams which drain the sur-
face forming numerous lakes, the largest of which
is Winnebago, 24 miles long by 10 broad, said to
be the biggest sheet of water entirely within the
limits of any western State. The country around
Madison is noted for its exquisite scenery. The
city stands in the midst of the four lakes, and is
therefore surrounded by water views, many being
well wooded. Tne soil of the southern part of the
State is remarkably productive, and towards the
east the lakes are very numerous, with many run-
ning streams, which distribute water in abundance
all over that tract. Northward there are overlying
deposits of drift and boulders and much marsh land.
The incline is very abrupt to Lake Superior and
the streams which flow down the descent are too
rapid for navigation, though admirably adapted for
water power. There are vast forests of pine upon
these rivers, interspersed with spruce, hemlock, and
oaks in every variety, hickory, elm, and ash, with
large forests of paplar in the south. In 1860 the
population was 775,881, and in 1867 it was esti-
mated at 1,000,000, the mass of foreign born being
Teutonic and Scandinavian. 'Wisconsin was, how-
ever, settled from the New England States and New
York, and the fact is noticed in the American
papers that there is not a member of the Wisconsin
Legislature that can claim that State as his birth-
place. Another fact tends to show the gathering
of races in Wisconsin, for the last Message of the
Governor was printed in six different languages,
English, German, Low Dutch, Norwegian, W elsh,
and Bohemian. We are aware that the Governor
intended his Message, and these translations of it,
more to advertise the advantages of the State than
to instruct the citizens, but even this proves
how universal is the assembly of races on Wis-
consin soil. Madison is the capital, which, as we
before observed, is most picturesquely situated on an
isthmus between lakes Mendota and Monona. Its
population in 1865 numbered 10,000, and, besides
carrying away the palm of all Western cities in
beauty of site, it is a well-constructed town,
with handsome State buildings, State Univer-
sity, banks, and churches. Its manufactures
have greatly advanced, yet in that year there
were steam mills, iron foundries, and a woollen
factory. The largest town and the most prosperous
is Milwaukee, standing where the river of that
name enters Lake Michigan.. It is built on the
flats and on the bluffs, which rise abruptly from the
lake, the houses striking the observer from the
straw colour of the brick. The clay is peculiar to
Milwaukee,'and is largely exported. The finest lake
boats ascend the river for two miles, and the
town itself, which is a railway centre, stands
seventy-five miles from Chicago by water. The
reason of Milwaukee's rapidrise is,becanse of its being
the greatest primary (as the Land Commissioner
says) wheat market in the world ; that is, an ori-
ginal depot to which the farmers around consign
their produce, in contradistinction to a port of
transhipment. In 1860 the exports of grain were
10,000,000 bushels, and in 1862 the receipts of
wheat and wheaten flour alone were nearly
18,000,000 of bushels; the other cereals showing an
astonishing increase. The tonnage owned by the
citizens was 31,780 in 1863, and the warehouses
and elevators for storing grain were even at that
time on a grand scale. There are regular lines of
steamers, one of which is a ferry across the lake,
bringing Milwaukee into direct communication with
Detroit, over the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad.
The city has some fine buildings, as might be anti-
cipated from the fact that in 1867 it contained
75,000 inhabitants, and was then one of the most
Among the chief
prosperous of Western towns.
towns of the State are Beloit, on Rock River,
Racine, Dodgeville, Fond-du-lac, Green Bay, Prairie
du Chien, and La Crosse.

The reduction in the hands employed at Chatham
Dockyard will be really greater than would appear
from comparing the numbers of men provided for
in the Estimates for 1869-70 and 18704. This arises
from the fact that after the Estimates for the former
year were prepared, the arrivals from Deptford and
Woolwich yards of men transferred swelled th
number of hands in Chatham yard, beyond the
total in the Estimates; and, therefore, to bring
the total down to that provided for in 1870-1,
more men must be discharged than the 433, the
apparent difference between the totals for 1869-7me-
-0
and 1870-1. On Saturday no fewer than 50
chanics and labourers were discharged—a number
in excess of any recent weekly discharge. The
throwing out of work of so many men at the pre-
sent season causes much distress, and the " hired"
hands dismissed without gratuity or travelling ex-
penses, where they have come from a distance to
work at Chatham, loudly complain of their hard

treatment.
The depot Ist battalion 6th Regiment, now sta-
tioned at Colchester, is about to be attached to the
2d battalion of the same regiment stationed at New-
port. The 2d battalion will shortly be removed to
Pembroke Dock, and will be succeeded at Newport
by the 50th Regiment.
SIR ALEXANDER MILNE.—WO have reason to
believe (says the Pall Mall Gazette) that, after due consi-
deration, it has been resolved that on promotion to the
rank of Admiral, Sir Alexander Milne will have to vacate
the command of the Mediterranean fleet, but will be com-
pensated for the loss he sustains in consequence by
being nominated to the first home port that may beconae
vacant.

THE CRYSTAL PALACE ON SUNDAYS.—A question has
been raised, in the court of Vice-Chancellor Stuart,
respecting tie will of the late Mr. Etches, of Derby. That
gentleman bequeathed 40,000 ordinary Crystal Palace
stock and £lO,OOO 7 per cent. preference shares, to be
applied by the directors for the promotion of the opening
of the Palace on Sundays, and after that object was
attained, in adding to the attractions of the Palace. The
question was whether the bequest was a valid one. It was
stated that an arrangement had been made by
which it was agreed that the directors of the
Company should take one half of the bequest, and the
residuary legatees of the estate the other. The Vice-
Chancellm made an order sanctioning the compromise.
THE HOP PLANTERS' JOINT STOCK COMPANY.—A SUM-
mons on behalf of the official liquidator of the
Hop Planters Joint Stock Company has been heard by
Vice-Chancellor James. The summons was to the effect
that a call of £5O a share might be made upon the contri-
butories. The shareholders, who are mostly local agricul-
turists, opposed the call on principle, but offered to
make arrangements to pay the creditors in full.
The Vice-Chancellor was of opinion that the company
. which had been registered with shares of £lOO each as a
company with limited liability, could not be entitled to
the benefits of that limitation, except on the terms of its
members contributing to that amount per share. The call
must therefore be made.
THE TURKISH EDITOR.— It will be remembered that
Zia Bey, the editor of the Turkish paper, the ffurryiette,
was remanded on bail on a charge of libel preferred against
him at Bow-street. When the time fixed for his examine'
tion arrived, the defendant did not appear, and after a
brief delay Sir Thomas Henry ordered his recognizances
to be entreated.
LUNATICS AND BENEFIT SOCIETIES.—The question
whether insanity. is to be deemed sickness in the cases of
those who have joined benefit societies has been again
brought before Mr. Knox at Marlborough-street. The
magistrate held that the person afflicted must obtain a
medical certificate stating that insanity had resulted from
sickness, and not sliming merely the existence of the for-
mer. When this was done he would be prepared to go
into the matter.
A ZEALOUS POLICEMAN.—At Chelmsford, on Saturday,
a case was brought before Mr. Justice Keating, in which
a powerful burglar was interrupted in his proceedings by
a policeman, who, afer two desperate struggles, was com-
pelled to loose his hold, but succeeded in so injuring the
burglar that the latter was arrested some hours afterwards
i2.anawearxhdaeuds,t2e(sl.4hcondZ.7.ll7.H.,le..7:77 convicted: and
the constable, after pcisig c9mmended by the jug?

IRE NEVADA FRIEE HOLD PROPERTIES

IRUS'I.

(From the Anglo-awrican Times)
The Reese River Reveille, a leading IsTorAda
paper, and one much quoted and trusted as al:k
authority on mines, replied to the prospectus of the
above company, as published in the London Times
of December 31, by an article, wherein it dis-
cussed the scheme as among those comprised
in the category under a word, which we decL;ne
to follow the example of the Nevada paper,
and give utterance to. It is painful to us
to have to direct the attention of English
investors to such an article, more especially as it

calls in question the bone fides of a gentleman,
whose report received weight from the estimation
in which he is held ;i but it is the business of

General MoNK MAsoN, as well as the pr3moters of
this entipany, to meet the open assertions of the
Austin newspaper, and satisfy the public that the
statements therein made are unfounde,l, proving

that the prospe3!-us they so widely p blished in the
British press is not the gross untruth it is represented
to be. NA only does the Reveille denounce the
prospectus, but it uses very strong language in
speaking of General MA.soN's report. That gen-
tleman, it says, was deputed to proceed to Nevada
to examine the mines and register the titles that no
vestige of doubt should remain. "We met him in
this city," remarks the editor, and, after alluding to
him personally, it adds —" The report of General
MoNK MAsoN is given in full ; we have read it
carefully, under varying emotions ; and if we were
not satisfied that he was in downright earnest we
should believe his report was simply the broadest
burlesque of a wild-cat operation." It then quotes
what the General says of the Vanderbilt mine, and
moralises on that glowing description as follows
"Itis a sad business thinking of it. It is manifest
that some people in the old country have confidence
in him, which appears to be the reason why he was
deputed to come to this State and report upon the
property of the Trust. Perhaps he has been de-
ceived ; but whether he has or not his report is
calculated to deceive injuriously numbers of his
countrymen. It is a sketch, the warp and woof of
which are fiction." The mines of the ' Nevada
Freehold Properties' Trust' in Ophir canon and in
the district of Manhattan are undeveloped, and
hare been idle for years. Some of them may prove
valuable,or theymay all turn out to be worthless. The
statement in the report that the mines were or are
leased is a senseless falsehood. The district of
Manhattan has been virtually abandoned for a long
time ; and in Ophir canon, since the closing of the
works of the Twin River Company, nothing has
been done except a few weeks' work in the Murphy
mine this winter. At this moment the property of the
Trust is almost in its primal state. Although it may
comprise valuable veins of silver ore, still that re-
mains to be demonstrated. We doubt if the three bars
of silver contain so much as an ounce of that metal
from the mines of the Trust in Ophir canon or the
district of Manhattan. We have reason to believe
that General MONK MASON did not visit the latter
district. He was taken by his attendant, one MAR-
TIN, to the district of Silver Bend, which is on the
eastern slope of the mountains on which the Man-
hattan district is situated. He was shown the El-

dorado, one of the most fully developed and pro-
ductive in Siint Bend; and, admiring its appear-
ance, he was informed by MARTIN that it was oue
of the most likely mines in the Manhattan district
belonging to the Trust, and it was formally de-
livered to him as trustee ! Major-General MONK
MASON was not ignorant of the deception, and yet
his name is signed to the published report." In
quoting the Reveille, the Wall-street journal head
the article " A Rich Joke," but we have not fun
enough in us to see it in this light. With the Reveille,
" we are tired and disgusted with schemes which
have brought discredit upon the Mining States and
Territories, and have marred their most important
and valuable resource.' 'The Nevada paper is,
in truth, right. A miner may regard a " wild cat"

scheme as a rich deception, and see something luiic-
rous in the audacity of statements which appear

ridiculous in their untruth when they reach the
country about which they are written, but even-
tually the loss falls heaviest on the unfortunate
State. Long ago we urged those attracted towards
investment in the rich mines of the Pacific Slope by
the tempting promises contained in any prospectus to
mark it and send it to one of the local papers. The
chances are that the editor will expose the swindle
if there be one, because it is for the interest of his
State that schemers should not be successful i❑ plans
clated to destroy its credit. When a mine is floated
which returns large dividends to its proprietors the
effect is to increase the value of all property in the
country, to inspire confidence, to bring in capital;
but when a fraud is practised on the public, more
especially in London, the effect is to throw discredit
on a community wholly innocent of the crime, who
are made to bear the punishment. We have no
right, nor do we, to conclude that the prospectus and
the report alluded to by the Reese River Reveille
are what that paper calls them ; but its statements
are so clear, its motives apparently so disinterested,
and its assertions so strong (for it must be remem-
bered that we omit what is personal as well as terms
which there is no necessity to repeat), that it is in-
cumbent on those whom it concerns to explain.
This cannot be done by abusing the newspaper ;
but by showing that although the prospectus may
give a florid description, as such documents always
do, that it contains a substantial groundwork of
truth. Once before we called attention to the re-
marks of an American newspaper about this com-
pany, but now from the very spot and from the
best authority, come the .most pointed and explicit
charges, which, if the English investors choose to
neglect, we can only request that they will exone-
rate the State of Nevada from all blame in the
matter, should it prove that the Reese River Reveille
had but done its duty in writing in the strain it has
adopted. At any rate our duty in the premises is
clear, and we fulfil it by directing the attention of
the gentleman impugned, as well as of the English
investors, to the subject.

The proceedings at the annual meeting of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, held in Philadelphia Feb.
15, show how prosperous that great corporation is. The
gross receipts for 1869 were $17,250,811, and the expendi-
ture $12,203,267, leaving net earnings to the amount of
$5,047,544. Of the gross receipts nearly $13,000,000 were
from goods traffic, $3,500,000 from passengers, and the
balance from emigrant traffic, mails, and other miscellane•
ous sources. There were 4,229,363 passengers and
4,992,025 tons of goods transported, nearly half the latter
being coals. Tho tolls on goods and tho passenger charges
wore both reduced as compared with 1868, the decrease
being about 9 per cent., but the gross receipts were $17,000
more than in 1868, although for five months the Pennsyl-
vania suffered from severe competition; and for 1869 the
receipts aro equal to $48,186 per mile of the main lino or
the road. The Pennsylvania Railroad operates the Pitts-
burg, Fort Wayne, and Chicago, and the Philadelphia and
Erie on lease, and those two show a small loss during 1869
(the loss of $61,512 upon the latter having overcome the
profit of $36,794 upon the former), so that the net earnings
of the Pennsylvania Railroad are reduced to $5,022,825.
Of this $3,075,643 was paid in dividends (10 per cent.) dur-
ing the year; $882,375 for interest on loans; $135,274 for
rent of the Harrisburg and Lancaster Railroad; and $460,000
to the State of Pennsylvania on account of the purchase of
public works some years ago, leaving a surplus of 8463,533
to be carried forward. There are 358 miles of double

track, and the corporation controls in the aggregate 1,769
miles of railroad, passing through the States of Pennsyl-
vania, Ohio, Indiana, lowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee,
and Missouri. A summary is given of the policy adopted
and the struggle with the Erie for the western traffic. Tho
corporation has no interest in any line beyond the Missis-
sippi River, and it denounces railway schemes and stock-
jobbing in strong language. The report is altogether
satisfactory, and ought to be scattered broadcast over Eu-
rope, for it is essential that no efforts should be neglected
to counteract the untruthful and ruinous impressions con-
veyed to European minds by the proceedings of the Erie

The anniversary of Washington's birthday was
celebrated at Naples at the Hotel do la Ville, Mr. Duncan
presiding, who made an interesting speech in proposing
the health of the President of the United States. The
following were present :—The U.S. Consul and Mrs. Dun-
can, Mr. Robert Rogers, Mr. Delano of New York and the
Misses Delano ("2,1 Mr. William Everett of Boston, Mr. and
Mrs. Goodall of New York, Mr. Charles Secor, New York
City, Mr. Charles A. Secor, jun., New York City, Mr. and
Mrs. Kemp, New York, Mrs. Do Forrest, New York, Mr.
Nash, New York, Mr. Washington Hunt, New York, Mr.
Emery, Cincinnati, Mr. Avery of Louisville, Kentucky,
Ur. Tyler of Boston, Mr. Sterne, New York, Mr. Thacker
of Boston, Mr. King, New York, Mr. Fullers Alw4clau-
lotto, laZ, WT6O; 6314 vtlors.