Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-07-25
From Washington.

Washington, u. The returns to the de-
partment of agriculture indicate that the hay
crop throughout the country will be small
In Maine, where hay is the leading staple,
the yield will not much exceed two-thirds of
the average crop. In all the New England
and Middle States the condition of clover
timothy and pastures are below the average
In most OF the Southern and Western States,
and IN Oregon the pastures are above the
average. and the condition of clover and
timothy is equally good. In California clover
and timothy have had fine growth, while the
pastures are in a relatively low condition. In
the sections where the pastures and meadows
have partially failed, it is not yet too late to
supplement- them with cora as a sailing crop.
Frosts in April and May following the re.
markably early opening OF spring greatly
lessened tie prospect of a good crop of apples.
short crop is indicated in all the States
where they are most largely grown. Prob
ably three-fourths of the average potato crop
will be full average, and that of peaches I'M
usually large.
The mails for Jackson, Miss, now go by
the way OF Mobile and New Orleans, in con-
sequence of the seizure of section of the
Alabama ( Chattanooga Railroad from York
to Meriden, Miss, % miles, by the employ
ers. New proposals will also be invited for
carrying mails in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas
| and Alabama, the former arrangements hay
ing been defeated by straw bids on important
river and stage lines,
Ex-Congressman Christy of Ga, testified
| to- day before the Ku-kluX Committee that he
knew of no Ku-klux organization in his dis
trict, or any portion of the State. There was
no more crime committed now than before
the war in his section of the State. He
admitted that there had been some violation
of the law by disguised persons, for the pur-
pose of Furnishing men and women for living
in adultry, and for iornication &c. lie states
also that it was the general opinion in the
community that people took the law into their
own hands because so many criminals had
been pardoned. Another circumstance which
gave rise to many eXaggerations in reference
to the so-called Ku-klux was the fact that
mischievous young men, for the purpose of
| amusement, sometimes wrapped themselves,
and scared snperstitous negroes, some of
whom affected to believe that they were
ghosts OF Confederate soldiers. These negroes
had disguised themselves and whipped a
white man in Clarks county, and there had
been but little SAID about it. Another party
of disguised negroes had attempted TO murder
| white man, and had been convicted and
sentenced. but subsequently was pardonei by
| the Governor. The witness expressed the
opinion that no negroes had been intimidated
from voting the republican ticket but that
some had probably been prevented by threats
from voting the democratic ticket. The
whole tenor of his testimony was to the effect
I that he believed there was no regular organi-
cation in Georgia for the purpose Of violating
the laws. When asked if he had not heard
of a great many outrages in other portions
/ of the State he replied, that when in Wash
( ngton he could hear great many stories of
that kind that they were greatly magnitied
and distorted for political effect, and that
there was less violence in Georgia than in
the New England States, New York, Ohio or
any where else.
( The subcommittee on Southern outrages
arrived at Yorkville, S. c., yesterday eve
ming. At the supper table at the hotel Mr..
Stevenson of the committee and Mr.. A. j.
Wallace, representative of the district, were
assaulted as they took their seats, by Major
James Barry, 4 prominent citizen, by pitch
er of milk being thrown over them. Wallace
drew q revolver, but Major Barry was sur
rounded by friends and left the hotel. At 8