National Republican., 1876-12-30
The First Shot.

At the investigation before the Police Com
missioners yesterday Major Richards came
forward, and was accorded the paltry priv
ilege of personal explanation. The Major,
with both hands on his breast and his eyes
raised to heaven, solemnly declared, in dulcet
accents, that Mr.. Billy Cook was not his
lawyer, as stated in THE REPUBLICAN. Hay-
ing thus briefly relieved himself of such q
dreadful accusation, the model chief fell back
several PAGES to the rear and sat down.
Next arose Mr.. Billy Cook, and he,
too, denied that he was either Major
Richards defender or the gamblers at
torney. And We again assert, with renewed
emphasis, that Mr.. Billy Cook is both, and
everybody knows 1t who reads the testimony
and MIR. Billy Cooks course from the begin
ming of the Investigation. Although Mr..
Billy Cook makes such loud protesta-
tiops that he appears in the interest
of the truth, and representing the peoples
cause, he has made the most desperate exer-
tions to keep witnesses from telling the truth.
Whatever facts have been established, and
there are some pretty strong ones, have been
wormed out of Mr.. Billy Cooks own witnesses
by Mr.. JOHN A. GROW, the advocate of right,
and the peoples faithful counsel. Yesterday
the hearing of the witnesses on behalf of the
public began, and bomb-shell was thrown
into the camp of blacklegs and rsscsls on the
first fire. Mr.. Billy Cook and his gamblers
will have some difficulty in explaining away
the evidence of DR.. Grove and the corrobora-
tive testimony that will be adduced in support
of 1t. This is but an earnest of what will be
brought out before the investigation closes,
and there is great probability of some hasty
designations before the New Year grows old.
New Years Day Receptions.
On next Monday morning we shall publish
a revised list of those who will receive their
friends on New Years Day. This list will
embrace all those names we are authorized in
writing to publish, and will be kept open
until IL o'clock on Sunday night, In order to
accommodate all desirous Of having the an
nouncement made OF their receptions. Great
pains and care will be observed to make the
gladly publish, free of charge, announcements
of parties and other entertainments connected
with the festivities of the New Year. We
also wish to announce, and the present is as
appropriate time as will be found, that 1t Is
the REPUBLICANS purpose during the ap-
preaching fashionable season to make
specially of society news, and has perfected
arrangements whereby 1t can furnish the pub
lie the most complete and reliable information
of what transpires In society circles this win
ter. In the furtherance of this purpose we
can be materially aided by outside parties
giving us q word of information in time
Notices of proposed balls, socisbles, private
parties, weddings, tablesux, and other enter
tainments will be thankfully received and
prompt attention paid to them.
SCARCELY HAS THE ATTENTION of the
public been called from the closing graves of
the unfortunate victims of the Brooklyn disas-
ter when there is announced another most
terrible tragedy on the rail, resulting in the
horrible death by burning, crushing, drowning
and otherwise Violently, of large number
of human beings. The telegraph last night
brings news of fearful railroad accident
near Ashtabula, Ohio, where train of seven
densely- crowded passenger coaches was pre-
cipitated through bridge seventy-fve feet |
high into the stream below, killing or wound |
Ing nearly every passenger. And what makes |
the news particularly appalling to this locality
Is the reported fact that the greater part Of |
the passengers were from Eastern cities. We |
hope that no hearths in this locality will have |
cause to mourn the loss of any relatives or |
friends. Further details are necessarily |
watched for with anxiety.
NJ