Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-01-10
THE TALK OF THE WEEK.


President Grant is about to take STEP if
we may believe the IN. Y. Times" which
generally knows what it is talking about,
when it talks about administration matters,
which will 60 far to lessen the corruption of
the Radical party in the Southern States.
He will issue an order. says Washington
dispatch to that paper, in which he will
''notify all persons holding United States
commissions, that the acceptance or holding
an office under any State authority is incon.
sistent with the scope of their official duty,
and an improper interference with State
concerns. The holding Of such Office will
be deemed the vacation of the position held
by them under Federal authority, and their
successors will be appointed This order
will be issued very early in the new year,
and will take effect from and after the 4th
of March The inspiring cause of it is the
fact that in some States, notably Louisiana
and Florida, very large proportion of the
State officials and members of the Legisla-
ture are persons holding Office by appoint
ment Of the President. This fact has given
rise to much of the irritation that has exis
ted, not only between the different political
parties in those States, but between factions
Of the Republican party. As the Presi-
dents power to terminate the official exis-
fence of any officer violating the order is abb
solute, he virtually has the remedy Of this
matter in his own hands, and proposes to
apply it,"
Ed. Stokes, to the surprise Of every one,
has been convicted in New York, Of the
murder of James Fisk, and sentenced to be
hung on the Goth Of February. The YER
dict was altogether unexpected to the pris-
oner, who had an oyster supper prepared
for the jury in expectation of their acquit-
ting him or dissgree;ng. He turned deadly
pale when the verdict was announced, and
his female relatives filled the air with their
shrieks. The court was surprised as much
as Stokes, and made pitiful exhibit on
The Judge apologized to Stokes for SEN
fencing him. District Attorney Fellows.
who prosecuted him "burst into tears and
asked him to forgive him and was contempt
uously answered by the prisoner, and even
juryman came up and apologized for con
voting him. Stokes insuIted Attorney
Beach, who aided in prosecuting him. and
carried himself generally in lordly manner.
He has been placed in "Murderer's Row" in
the Tombs, where he com plains to the re-
porters that he is convicted as an example
rather than on the evidence. His counsel
have taken an appeal.
Mr.. Grants views about Interference
don't seem to be understood, by those gentle
man who hasten to explain them. Mr.. Alex
II. Stephens, of Georgia rushes to the front
with the explanation that Mr.. Grant is Dot
exercising bis judgment in the matter, but
merely executing the law. How much this
sort of thing is worth we can gather more
fully from the following extract of letter
published from U. S. Attorney Williams
'sNot doubling that irregularities had &C.
Cured on both sides, but belieuing that the
Republican ticket had received u majority
of the votes of Louisiana, and acting in con
formity to the returns of the regular Board
of Canvassers and the decisions of the State
and Federal courts, the President decided
to answer the resolution Of the State House
Legislature by recognizing the organization
aciM aohich 1t rs connected as the zawfM
Government.
Affairs have not changed in Louisiana
The Liberal legislature met Monday anc
organized peaceably. the U. S. Commander
having been telegraphed from Washington
that he was not to Interfere with anything
except to preserve peace. Thousands of
people were in the streets and riot was
apprehended, but none occurred. The Or
ganization of the Liberal legislature is mere.
ly for the sake of form and to establish their
case in the Supreme Court. In the mean
time negro, without shadow of legal
claim to the office, is Governor of Louisiana.
U. S. Senators Sherman and Morton have
brought the matter into congress by resolu-
tions inquiring into the state of affairs in
that State. L
Austria doesn't feel go we'll this morning
The Duke de Grammont has disclosed the
fact, and the document to prove it, that
Austria promised to assist France in the
event of war with Prussia. He publishes
an Austrian dispatch to the French govern
mens, in which the pledge is given in these
words: "Your cause is ours We will
contribute to the success lf the French
arms"
In Alabama the two legislatures are still
in existence. Attorney General Williams
has telegraphed to Montgomery to forbid
any legislature using the U. s. court house.
The Radical legislature have been using it
as place of meeting.
The WEATHER IN THE VIRGINIA Noun.
TAINs.-A record of the month OF December
4