Litchfield enquirer., 1874-10-08
A GOOD SIGN.


 the governorship of Massachusetts, this year, and is likely to have lively brush in the Essex Congressional District, where he has hitherto had everything his own way. One of the signs of the times and an exceedingly good sign is the letter of brother of Collector Simmons ''going back" on the great politician who has so long warred on responsibility in Massa- chusetts. Among the unkind things Sim- mons Jrere has to say are the following:
 For three years, as a United States Off, cer, in Government hours and using gov eminent time, have done that for the Butler party which at this moment brings the blush of shame to my face. l have gone to New Bedford, Lawrence, Fall River, Salem, and other places, and have used the power possessed as a United States officer to intimidate men in the liquor business into working and voting for Beni. F. Butler. have while an officer, packed the caucuses in Boston and the other places mentioned above in the interest of Butler. we'll know that But Ter, with all the power he has, will en- deavor, as his leaders have stated, to crush me; but fearlessly I give to the public these facts, and hold myself per sonally responsible for what I say. I have recerved money from United States Marshal Usher and other Butler men to carry on the nefarious work of Butlerism. While in New Bedford. just before the Butler caucuses last year. I received mOn- ey from the hands of Buffers partner to carry the caucuses there, and the money was used for that purpose. l received money from Usher to go to Fall River and pack caucuses for Butler.
 When we consider what shrewd rats these Simmons are, this open, offensive assertion of the Butler ship by one of them seems a pretty good sign that the craft is likely to founder soon. It is in- teresting also to have an inside view of what Butlerism means to the good young men of Massachusetts who practice it. enough to show that it is very wicked and demoralizing practice; and yet that it is practice that is somehow obligato- " on the Massachusetts official person. Would 1t not be in order just now for Gen. Grant to remove some of these off, eers who hurry to and fro packing caucus es and spending their hard earnings in fho interest of Gen. B. F. Butler?
 The Berkshire Courier gives curious account of girl named Clara Blackmer, who disappeared mysteriously from her fathers house in Great Harrington about month since, and was found at Mir. Fainfors in the north part of Lee, last week. where she had been living disguis- cd as boy. So we'll was this disguise maintained that she sold berries to A fam lily who had formerly lived in Great Bar nngton and knew her there, yet never suspected her. "On her arrival at MT. TaintOrs, she said that she came from Pittstield and had been bound out by her friends to live with farmer there. who | did not use her kindly and she, with the | eOnnlvance of his daughter, had run away. | She represented that she was not strong and could not do hard work, but was handy at hnnsawork and cnnld do Iiobt l chores e nd would like to work for her | board. Mir. Taintor agreed to take her | on trial, having no suspicious that the ap- plicant was girl, and found her as she | represented good at housework, but un- able to milk and dunacnnpir.~1 SGOscrIptlon or the missing glrl in the Courler, taken in connection with \ her figure and habits, raised suspicion | which resulted in Mir. Taintors writing to | her parents and her discovery by them.
  At the annual meeting of the Litchfield Northwest Conference, held at South Ga naan. Sept. 22, Rev. Messrs. Bonney and | Bassett and Dr. Eldridge, Messrs. U. H. Miner of Falls Village, w. G. Kellogg of South Canaan, and F. Curtiss of Warren, were appointed delegates to the State Conference in Bridgeport, with Rev. Messrs. Fitch and Drs. Bullion and Reid and Mir. Charles Gilbert of North Canaan, and Deacons E. F. Pratt of North Corn wall. and John c. Berry of Kent, as their substitutes. Rev. W. E. Bassett was ap- pointed delegate to the National Confer ence to meet at New Haven, Sept. 3Oth, and Rev. N. G. Bonney, substitute. War ren is the place for the next meeting The committees for the next year are Rev. Messrs. Bonney of Falls Village, and Fitch of North Cornwall, and Mir. Chas. Hine of Warren.
 The ladies of South Canaan furnished very ample entertainments in the Confer ence room, and the meeting we thought good one, though the absence of some ministers who have been heard formerly in the gathering, was felt.
 An English ship-builder is about making an experiment that promises to do away, to certain extent at least, with the nui-