The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-31
THE PROPOSITION TO PURCHASE CUBA.
Sinking Of the Question by the
SerranO Government.
Return Of q New Yorker from the
Prison in Havana.

telographed hence last Saturday, to ON afternoon
paper In New York. that the proposition submitted
by Minister Sickes to the Spanish government for
the settlement Of the Cuban question had been for
maly rejected. Secretary Fish, who was telegraphed
to by the Cubans to ascertain the truth asity Of
the report. replies that he has no Information on
the subject which would lead to the conclusion that
any definite action had been taken by Spain. 1t is
the impression here in well informed circles that no
action Will be taken on the proposition by the
Serran0 government. This Ia the opinion enter
tanned by Mr.. Lemus, the Cuban Envoy. The Span
ish Cortes meets on the 18th proximo to choose
king and 1t ia thought SerranO and his Cabinet are
anxious to avoid the responsibility Of accepting
rejecting the proposition and will throw II upon the
new king whoever ne may be- and his ministry.
The proposition Is known to be unpopular in SPAIN
and 1t ID thought that 1t could only be accepted with
safety after strong government shall have been
established. This information is gathered from let
tiers received from trustworthy in Spain and
from parties friendly to Cuban independence.
Arrival Of a Late Cuban PrisOner--His Ill
Treatment at Havana.
DR.. Smons, a native Of New York; and for many
years o resident OF Cuba, arrived here yesterday
direct from Havana. He was seized by the Spanish
authorities at Havana suspicion Of being engaged
In the nsurrection, and thrown into prison, After
being detained l0t seven months he was released
through the Intervention Of Consul General Plumb.
While Dr.. Simonds was In prison his property was
seized and destroyed by the Spaniards his money In
bank attached and he is now left poor. His treat
ment was Of the most barbarous character, and he
narrowly escaped being shot by the squad Of volun-
teers by whom he was constantly guarded DR..
Simons here to make appeal to the Secretary Of
State for the Intervention Of the government in his
behalf. He proposes to call on Secretary Fish to.
morrow and state his case.
Judge Dents Prospects in Mississippi.
Judge Lewis Dent, prospective conservative nomi-
nee for Governor Of Mississippi will leave here to-
morrow morning for that State, where he will re-
main until after the adjournment Of the Convention.
The stories so industriously set aoat to the effect
that the conservative party had resolved to throw
the worthy Judge aside after finding his nomination
would not secure for them the endorsement OF the
administration. appears to be naked fabrication.
The Judge has assurances from the leading men OF
the State that his nomination will be made by ac-
Clamation, and his friends believe that he will be
certainly elected by an overwhelming majority. AS
matters now stand, his opponent on the radical side
VIII be Judge Ancom, formerly Q large slaveowner,
but now one Of the most ultra OF the ul-
traists or bitter enders. Judge Dent VIII bring
into the contest many elements of popular strength
As Commissioner Of the Freedmen's Bureau in the
State Immediately after the discovery OF improper
conduct on the part OF others In administering the
Offce he managed his part 30 well as to give salts
faction to both whites and blacks. In dealing out
relief he made no distinction between the suffering
families Of rebels and those Of loyal people, whether
white or black. His only rule In giving relief was
that of common humanity. The widows and orphans
OF many rebels had been actually driven or their
plantations by unfeeling radical politicians without
the interference Of his predecessors as commission.
ers solely In order to give an opp0rtu-
nifty to have their lands declared abandoned
property. In all such cases as came to his
knowledge Judge Dent wrote to the exiled families
to return and restored them to all their rights. BY
such acts Of justice and humanity he made himself
popular with the rebel element, while his kindness
towards the negroes endeared him equally with the
freedmen. Allcom, on the other,hand, has to meet
the powerful argument that he was once large
slave owner-an argument which goes long way
among the emancipated element Judge Dent Will
return here after the nomination is made and re.
main here until October, when he will take the
stump in Mississippi.
The Stokes Attack on the Oficcholders In
Tennessee.
Colonel Stokes, Of Tennessee made his nrst sortle
to-day upon Commissioner Delano for the removal Of
the federal ofcers in Tennessee, who 1t is alleged
favored the election Of senter as Governor. Stokes
the Internal Revenue officers with wilful hostility to
the administration. He did not think that the
republican party could AFFORD to overlook the offence
of these men and continue them In ONCE. Mr..
Delan0 heard what Stokes had to say with com
mendable patience and then informed him that the
President and the Secretary of the Treasury would
have to be consulted before anything could be done
General Candy Anxious to Install Governor
Walker.
It is stated here to-day, on good authority, that
General Candy has written to General Sherman
asking for instructions to install Gilbert @. Walker
as Governor. The Commanding General in virginia
expressed himself In another conversation with
DR.. Gnmer In favor Of the Inauguration of the Gov
ernor elect as an act Of simple justice to people
whose interests were at stake There are several
important appointments as railroad proxies soon &c
be made, which doubtless influences this action Of
General Candy.
Ben Butler and General RawIins at Odds.
Ben Butler has had O sort of O snarl with Secro.
fary Rawlins about Colonel James, United States
Quartermaster in Richmond, Va. 1t seems that
James In the discharge Of his duties caused the de-
etructi0n Of certain buildings connected with Co.
lumbia College, outside Richmond, which were used
for hospital purposes during the war. Ben Butler
happened to be interested In the destroyed prop
erty, and on learning Of Janes action wrote saucy
letter to Secretary Rawlins, demanding the instan,
dismissal Of the Quartermaster, whose character and
motives he severely criticised. Secretary Rawlins
caused an investigation Of the case, and finding that
James had only done what his duty required, wrote
Butter pungent letter, declining to dismiss the
oflcer.
"On Bender"
party Of gay and festive youths sons of the
aristocracy here, got into the clutches Of tho law
'n's afternoon on account of over indulgence in
ssrone beverages. The party made themselves ter.
fioy noisy at the crack restaurant Of washington,
ana were In consequence ehucked out by the con.
sdera'e proprietor. Not liking their summary
election they returned to force their way into the
restaurant, when the police were called in The
wnoIe parry was thereupon taken to the lookup to
cool on.
nm.