The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-12-24

Of ex.Mnyor Hall commenced in the
Court OF Oyer and Terminer to-day.
Seven jurors took their seuts, subject to
peremptory challenge.
KEY WEST, Dsce mber GA special
despatch says the survivors of the Vir-
ginius were kept in ignorance Of their
fate. and were visited by bogus priests,
who exacted dying confessions. They
thought they we're going to death, and
upon the confessions of these poor
wIetches, it is said Attorney General
Williams founded his opinion, that the
Virginius had no right to bear American
colors. The poor fellows supposed they
we're going to the slaughter-ho house, but
the presence Of the Juniata and surren-
der to her officers led to the most extra
ordinary emotional demonstrations. On
the arrival of the Pinta at Santiago, or
ders came to the ship from Commander
Braine, for the raymaster to issue oil
blankets and pea j.okets in his depart
ment to the prisoners, who were hardly
1T to be seen in their rags. This was
speedily done; but as there was still
great destitution, orders came for every
man on board to give their own blank
cts and wearing apparel in the good
cause, the promise being made that all
ship at Key West. The officers and men
cheerfully complied with this order
only prefcrring that it should be issued
as request, in which case they would
have acted with just as much alucrity.
Every heart was touched by the pitiablo
condition of the prisoners. The poor
fellows report that They were barherone-
~ treated. They say that when the Of
fcers from the Tornado boarded the
Virginius, one Of them, in hauling down
the flag of the United Stntes, tore it
into ribbons and trampled on it-assert-
ing, with al oath. "This is what I bnve
wanted" The situation in Santiago de
Cuba is reported still very serious a
large majority of the population is in
sympathy with the Cuban cause, but the
volunteers control everything with
high hand. Only week ago, twenty
five citizens of Slntiago were arrested,
and when mock trial had been gone
through With. without any evidence
being addneed against them, they we're
told to go home. On the way, they
we're cruelty waylaid and killed-only
one escnpiug, and hn was riddled with
bullets and dangerously wounded The
Americans are continually iu fear of
their lives. and bitterly complain that
nothing has been done to redress their
wrongs. It is not safe for all American
officer to 60 ashore alone ut Santiago.
All along the river line. the Spaniards
are erecting new batteries
The Powhattan will lenve Key West,
for Norfolk. tonight. The Wyoming
was expected.
WAsuINaroN. December % 1T has
been ascertaine.l f.oc: prominent Co
vernment official that the investigation
as to the character OF the Virginius will
be conducted in New York-though the
Government is powerless to proceed
against Patterson, to whom the register
for that vessel was issued, on account of
the statute Of limitations; therefore, no
punishment can be- Inflicted. Two
ycnrs having elapsed since he obtained
the papers, he cannot be moiestcd; but
had all tsie facts become known, within
the two years, he would have been pro-
secuted for perjury.
The President aud company returned
hero this morning, from st. Lonis.
PHILADELPHIA, December % The
strike of the longshoremeu continues.
The Southern Steam ship Company had
their regular force OF twelve men ut
work yesterday, and also succeeded in
getting six additional men ut reduced
rate. OF these six men, three were
beaten last night. after they quit work
As u natural consequences, the company
ls WITHOUT =" stevedores this morn-
ing; the ME ~illing to work being
afraid to wo 1 icy may be protected
by the presel. % Of the policemen during
tho day, but they have pretty solid as.
surance that the strikers will be after
them at night. This company will not
yield, though they have three vessels in
the port at present. all being Detained,
and have others 70 arrive in a few duys.
Probabilities tho Southern
States, East Of the Mississippi River,
Northeriy winds. with cloudy weather
and possibly light rain.
BALTIMORE, December 23.-Iu the
Circuit Court Of Baltimore city, this
morning, judge Pinkney decided that
tho bequest to the Bishop Of Western
Mary yland, in trust, to be used for tho
erection OF IL mission church i'll the city
of Baltimore was void, on tho ground Of
uncertainty. Tho late Rev. Geo Nor
rison, after making n number of be-
quests in his will, declares tho balance
to be LETT to tho Bishop Of Western
Maryland, in trust, to be used for the