Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-06
Miseellaileoils.
THE DIAMOND DICGINGS OF AUSTRALIA.

The Australia correspondent of the ST.
Johns Telegraph writes concerning the di-
amond diggings:
II found this worthy standing by
brandy cask, surrounded by great mob.
lie had Just found a twenty-carat diamond
and had purchased a cask of the strong
est liquor that was to be had, and had it
brought to his claim. The bruiser had
Knocked in one end with his pick and then
stood by with tin pot in his hand, invit-
ing all hands to liquor. Ready for a
fight said Bill, or a lush, whichever yer
likes Probably he did little of both in
the course of the day. But soon lost
sight of him.
There can be no greater lottery than dia-
mond digging. Thousands have worked
here for months and got nothing; others
seem to pick up diamonds by the dozen.
Two men from the same place who went
up together have got-one thirty-two dia-
monds, the other none. One man had
worked for months without success, but
determined to persevere, he sent for his
little boy to join him. The lad went, and
the day after his arrival, while digging a
hole to put post for swing, he turned
out splendid diamond of twenty-five
carats. During the time was on the field
l was shown about five hundred diamonds
OF different sizes.
There is a branch of the Standard Bank
| on the fields, and there are other pur-
| chasers in plenty; in fact diamonds bring
a better price on the spot where they are
found than in any part of the colony. At
this time of year there is thunder storm
almost daily in the diamond country. The
Vaal river is full to the very brink, and
tpa <,,,lvr h1 - a.. i.
| crossed over to hear the venerable Arch
deacon Kitton, of King Williams Town,
preach. There are several reverend gen
tlemen on the fields, but they have come
| to look for diamonds, not for souls"
The election contest in Gen. Schenck's
district. now represented in Congress by
General Lewis ID. Campbell, assumed a
new phase last Monday Mr. Peter Schwab
an iiliterate German, an ex-millionnaire
and Democratic politician. was some
time ago accused of stuffing the ballot-box
in the city of Hamilton, Ohio, at the last
congressional election. No substantial
evidence could be found, and the charge
was withdrawn. But Peter has had the
misfortune to quarrel with some of his fell
low democrats on city election question,
and all their mouths are suddenly opened.
He was examined before United States
| commissioner on Monday last, and held in
| $4,000 bail Tor trial. The sheriff of the
county testified to seeing Schwab throw
| handful of ballots into the box. Schwab
| asked the sheriff if he saw it, and the lat
ter replied that he did 'then told Peter
that it was a serious charge, and not to
say anything about it to anybody; if it
came out, he would know where it came
from. He made 40 definite reply; he af-
terwards told me that he put in either fifty
one or titty-three tickets" DR.. j. r.
Neckel testified that Peter boasted of the
act to him. Richard Cole, who saw the
votes counted, noticed that some in the
box were not folded, and evidently did
not go into the box in the regular way
'Aler the tickets were counted l said to
Peter that the tickets did not go into the
box in that shape. Saw him put his hand
in the box, then put it in his pocket. He
had on box-coat with side pockets. He
asked me if | saw how it was DONE
said Il thought did, He then remarked,
| Say nothing" Ii this testimony is all
| accepted it is An astonishing confession
Tor three men to make, one of them an
officer Of the law, that they knew of the
fraud and did not endeavor to stop it nor
expose it. 1t is remarkable, but consider
| ing the time when the fraud was COM
mitted it would have been only CO.
incidence that the number of ballots ille-
gally thrown into the box by Schwab was
precisely enough to give General Camp
bell the election. Mr.. Campbell has said
that if fraud was proved against Schwab
he would resign his seat. Such a dis
play of virtue would be quite unprece-
dented, and General Campbell's admirers
doubt il he would be equal to the occasion.