The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-11-23
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH.


ports from the Department of Agriculture
Indicate that the season has been extremely
favorable for gathering the crop of cotton.
Except IN some portions of North Caro-
lima, the frost has injured the top crop ia
the northern belt, notably in Arkansas.
The fibre is cleaner than usual and of su-
perior quality. In the southern belt
drought In the Gulf States, rain in the Car
olinas, boil worms in the southwest, and
clterpillars 10 certain locations near the
Gulf States are the chief causes of injury
to the crop. The harvest will be complet
ed at an earlier date than usual as the crop
must be smaller than last year. The per-
centages of the Atlantic coast States are re-
latively larger by reason of the poor returns
of 1875, and smaller in the Southwest.
They are as follows: North Carolina 90.
South Carolina 80, Georgia no, Florida
10, Alabama n, Mississippi rs, Louisiana
SO, Texas 100, Arkansas "a, Tennessee 101.
The average is between SO and SO, indi-
eating, without reference to the remainder
of TIE picking season, neatly go of the
crop of 1875.
RICHMOND, November 15.-The twenty
second annual conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church of Virginia commenced
it's session to-day, Bishop Ksvanaugh pre-
siding. A resolution was adopted providing
for the appointment of committee
of nine to consider the subject of
the formal relations of the general con-
ferences of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, and recommend such action
as they deem proper.
HAVANA November 10. There are well
grounded rumors of fight disastrous to
the Spaniards near Puerto Principe. The
troops are said to have been engaged from
Puerto Principe, starting an expedition with
arms, etc., on the way to this island, under
command of Quesads.
JACKSON, Miss, November 15.-The fol
lowing telegram was sent to-day to Gen.
James A. Garfield, at New Orleans: The
Republicans of Mississippi earnestly invite
you and your associates of both parties,
when you nave completed the Investigations
in Louisiana, to visit this State to make o
like investigation. Signed by Fl. L. Ware,
chairman of the Republican State Central
Committee.
LONDON, November ia Reuter- tele-
gram from Constsntinople says that all the
powers are stated to bs in accord respecting
the conference which is expected to com
mence its sitting IN November. The Porte
has made some objection, but its adhesion
appears certain, England having made W
gent representations to that end.
NEW ORLEANS, November 17.-The fol
lowing is the reply of the Republicans &c
the communication from the Democrats in
viting a conferences: New Orleans, No
vember 16.-Gentlemen: The majority Of
the undersigned, to whom your noIe of the
fourteenth instant was addressed, only ar
rived in this city yesterday evening. W.
To ranlu init
this morning, and can only regret that you
communication should have been given tC
the press Immediately on its delivery anO
without the possibility of an answer accom-
panying it. Your remarks that you are In
formed We came here at the request of the
President to see that the board of canvass
els make fair count of the votes actuall J
cast, and ask that we meet aHd confer il
order that such influence as we possess may
| be xerted in behalf of such q canvass o
the votes cast, are characterized by theiI
| fairness and Impartial.ty, and should com
| mani the respect and acquiescence of thu
Amercan people. We join heartily with
you in counsels of peace and in the expires
sion of an earnest desire for perfectly
| honest and just declaration of the results
! of the recent election in Louisiana by it;
| lawfully constituted authorities, and VT
may add that We know Of no reason Il
doubt that such declaration will be made
Bat we do not see the propriety or utility
| of q conference on the basis and subjeci
to the limitations you propose. FOL
we have no such duty imposed OF
US rs suggested by the clause o
your note of tn; first IS quoted. We ar'
at most requested to be witnesses OF " ha
sh Ill occur in the canvass OF the vot'
TROUT power and legal influence over The
result or over the means by which, undel
| the laws of Louisiana, the result Is TO b'
! determined We csnnot doubt that in this
| you, upon rejection, will concur with us
| We are here as private citizens with no OH
cIal powers we therefore cannot suppressed
or modify any law of that State, nor have
we any light to control or influence any o
/ its officers as to the manner in which the
shall perform ministerial or judicial dutie
| imposed upon them by its laws, and Should
we, being strangers and without ofticia
functions, attempt this, we should be con
dsmned by the people of every State il
the Union for an improper interference
| with the local administration. The follow
1 ing extract from the laws of Louisiani
4 shows that the canvassing board is express
| Iy required in certain cases to exercise ju
| dIcial as well as ministerial functions
"Sec. 8. Thst in such canvass and compi
| iation the returning officers shall observ'
the following order: They shall compile
first the statements from all polls or votin.
places at which there shall have been
| lair, free and pesceAble registration anC
election. Whenever from any poll or Eotinl
place there shall be received statements
and they shall be convinced that such RIOS
tumulis, acts Of intimidation, armed dis
lurDances, bribery OF corrupt iDfueaces dis
i not materially iaterfsre with purity ana
freedom OF The elseticn 81 sech polls 0