Gallaghan's division, General Harry White's division, and some other of the State troops were at Pittsburg. Three batteries of regulars of General Hancock's division were also present. No New York militia participated.

POLITICS OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

WASIOJA, Minn., June 23, 1880. An "old line Democrat" says that South Carolina never gave a Democratic majority for President. We think he is mistaken. W. H. VINTON.

Answer.-South Carolina, up to 1860, chose its Presidential electors by its Legislature, and in 1860, 1856, 1852, 1848, 1844, 1840, elected Democratic electors. Since that date the Republicans have every time been successful, though it was carried last time by a bare majority of 964 votes.

CHICAGO, May 21, 1880. 1. Rate of cablegrams to England. 2. Number of tons of coal used per voyage by ocean steamers. INQUIRER.

Answer-The present rates of cablegrams from Chicago, both to England and France, are 172 cents per word. This great decrease in . rates, it is expected, will greatly increase business for the companies, as indeed it has already, and is causing great delay in messages. An arrangement has therefore been made to forward special messages where great haste is desired at 55 cents per word, all words in address and signature being counted. The present rates to England were only made on the first of the present month, and were forced upon them by competition, there now being several direct lines. Before this the rates to England were 80 cents per word. 2. It is obvious that the number of tons consumed in a voyage will vary with the size of the vessel and time and difficulties of the voyage. The rate of combustion per square foot of grate in ordinary practice in marine boilers is from 16 to 24 pounds per hour.

to the owners of the patents, at home and abroad between $800,000 and $1,000,000.

MR. GRIER'S VOTE

CHICAGO, Ill. Did Grier vote for General Garfield all the time in the Chicago convention? C. HOGENSON. Answer-On the first ballot he was for Senator Blaine, but on the second he broke away to Garfield, and went on voting for him all by himself for three ballots, when he was joined by another Pennsylvanian, Thomson, who occasionally deserted him on other ballots to come back again. Grier gave a few votes to Hartranft in the evening, to go back to Garfield again, and stick there till he was nominated. So it was not old Caleb Taylor, the man who voted for Lincoln "first, last, and all the time," who started the Garfield boom.

MOTHER SHIPTON S PROPHECY.

AUGUSTA, Ill., June 7, 1880, Your numerous readers desire you to publish old Mother Shipton's prophecy, in which she describes the many new inventions and discoveries of the past cen tury, and predicts the end of the world in 1881; now the time is drawing nigh we feel anxious to see the old lady's predictions. N. BALFOUR AND OTHERS. Answer.-The lines known as "Mother Shipton's Prophecy" were first published in England in 1485, before the discovery of America, and, of course, before any of the discoveries and inventions mentioned therein. All the events predicted have come to pass except that in the last two lines. We fear, or, rather, we hope, Mother 8. will prove a false prophet in that prediction: "MOTHER SHIPTON'S PROPHECY." Cariages without horses shall go, And accidents fill the world with woe. Around the world thoughts shall fly In the twinkling of an eye. Waters shall yet more wonders do, Now strange, yet shall be true.

The world upside down shall be,
And gold be found at root of tree.

Through hills man shall ride,
And no horse nor ass be at his side.

HEBREW LANGUAGE.

VILLISCA, May 28, 1880. 1. What language did Abraham speak at the time God gave him the covenant? 2. Did the Hebrews receive their language from the Jews, or the Jews from the Hebrews? 3. If baptism means mode, explain Paul's saying, "One faith, one Lord, one baptism." BIBLE STUDENT. Answer.-1. Abraham spoke the ancient Hebrew language. 2. The Hebrews and the Jews were the same people. "Hebrew" is the older name, and "Jew" the later. Both spoke the Hebrew tongue; first in its ancient form, then in its decayed form, when it was called the Aramaic or Syro-Chaldaic. 3. THE INTER OCEAN does not enter into sectarian disputes. Pædobaptists and Baptists alike have explanations of this text, satisfactory to themselves, and consonant with their views of the mode of baptism.

GARFIELD AND THE DE GOLYER CHARGES. CENTER DALE, Iowa, June 21, 1880. Please to give Garfield's full record on the DeGolyer matter. A. P.LAMBORN. Answer.-It is charged that in the year 1872 General Garfield received a counsel fee of $5,000 from DeGolyer and McClelland, the owners of a patent for wood pavement, which was laid down at a great cost in the streets of the city of Washington, under a contract with the government of the District of Columbia: that he did no counsel work in the case, and that the money was paid for no other purpose than to influence his conduct as a member of the Congress by which an appropriation for this wood pavement was made, and especially as Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. It is to be observed that while this charge has been many times repeated, the evidence on which it is founded has been forthcoming very slowly. The reason of this reluctance is clear from the report of the Investigating Committee. The evidence has not been furnished because it does not prove the case. Before this committee, in February, 1877, Garfield testified that he never knew or saw DeGolyer or McClelland, but was retained by a friend, a lawyer, who desired him to make a brief and argument in the case for him; and that, instead of doing nothing to earn the fee, he made a long and laborious examination of this particular patent and many others, and prepared an elaborate brief. Garfield further showed-and this is the only important fact in the whole case-that Congress did not make any appropriation to pay for the pavement, and was not asked to make any, and that therefore the official conduct of Garfield could not be effected by the fee because he could have no official relations to the matter. The contract for the pavement was made by the Board of Public Works, and was paid for by a general local loan already authorized by law and by a tax or assessment levied by the government of the District of Columbiajust as local improvements in other cities are paid for by the property which they are supposed to benefit. Congress might be called upon to meet general deficiencies in the revenues of the district, but this contingency was remote, and did not form a condition of the DeGolyer and McClelland contract. With this only the

Gar

Board of Public Works was concerned. field's story was supported by the testimony of Commissioner Shepherd before the committee. He says that Congress was not in session when the contract was awarded, and further: "We had ample appropriations for all the work we had awarded, including that, without regard to any appropriation from Congress. All these contracts were awarded on the basis of the four million loan, and the assessments by the city which were authorized by that law. They were not at all contingent upon Congressional appropriation." Even Benjamin R. Nickerson, who tried hard to convict Garfield before the committee, really supported his story, and was constrained to admit that no appropriation was made directly for the pavement by Congress, and that the only connection of Congress with the matter was its assumption afterward of some of the certificates of indebtedness of the Board of Works. It is to be hoped that the last has been heard of the back pay, Credit Mobilier. and De Golyer charges, but that, of course, is in vain. We shall continue to hear them long after they have been refuted, and until the 2d of November. It is fortunate, however, that the official records upon which it is pretended they are founded furnish so effectual a contradiction of them.

POWER TO FREE SLAVES. GREELEY, Col., June 21, 1880. From what authority did Abraham Lincoln derive the power to proclaim the freedom of the slaves? H. BROWNE.

Answer.-By virtue of the power vested in him as Commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the government, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion. Edward Everett, on this subject, said: "It is very doubtful whether any act of the Government of the United States was necessary to liberate slaves in a State which is in rebellion. There is much reason for the opinion that by the simple act of levying war against the United States the relation of slavery was terminated, certainly so far as concerns the duty of the United States to recognize it, or refrain from interfering with it. Not being founded on the law of nature, and resting solely on positive local law-and that not of the United States-as soon as it becomes either the motive or pretext of an unjust war against the Union-an efficient instrument in the hands of the rebels for carrying on the war-a source of military strength to the rebellion, and of danger to the government at home and abroad, with the additional certainty that, in any event but its abandonment, it will continue in all future time to work these mischiefs, who can suppose it is the duty of the United States to continue to recognize it? To maintain this would' be a contradiction of terms."

THE ELECTORAL BILL.

STREATOR, Ill., July 5, 1880. The count of 1876 is being freely discussed here, and the Democrats are disposed to use it in the campaign. Will you please give me the date the bill was introduced to create the commission and by whom, and how the vote stood on its adoption? How many Democrats voted for it, and how many against it; also the Republican vote on the bill-who opposed it and who advocated it? E. D. SARGENT.

Answer.-The electoral bill was introduced by

Senator Edmunds, of Vermont. It passed the Senate Jan. 25, 1877, and the House the following day, It was strongly opposed by the leading Republicans, but was supported by the Democrats, who now seek to decry what they themselves brought about. In the Senate 21 Republicans and 26 Democrats voted for the bill, and 16 Republicans and 1 Democrat against it. Among the Republicans voting against the bill were Blaine, Cameron. Conover, Hamlin, Morton, Sherman, Dorsey, and others. Of those who did not vote 9 were Republicans and 1 a Democrat. Logan, Ferry, Anthony, Oglesby and Paddock were among the Republicans who did not vote. In the House only 32 Republicans voted for it, while 69 voted against, and 7 refused to vote at all; 159 Democrats voted for it, 15 against it, and 7 did not vote. General Garfield, Frye, Hurlburt, Burchard, and most of the leading Republicans in the House voted against the bill. It does not become the Democrats in good grace to charge the Republicans with this, because they did not succeed in stealing the Presidency.

JOHN MORRISSEY.

NEW PARIS, Ind.. June 24, 1880. How long was John Morrissey, of New York, in Congress, by what party was he elected, and at what time? Give a short sketch of his life.

JOHN M. DIETZ. Answer. He was born in Ireland in 1831, and emigrated to this country when 5 years of age. He worked for a time in a paper mill in New York State, and afterwards learned the trade of brush maker; was subsequently engaged as deck hand on a Hudson River steamer, and then became a runner for a steamboat company in New York City; in 1852 he made his appearance in California as a professional pugilist; returning to New York he participated in several encounters, which gave him a wide reputation in the sporting world. After winning the so-called "championship" in 1858 he quit fighting and entered politics. In 1866 he was elected to Congress by the Democrats of New York and served two terms, and in 1875 was elected to the State Senate. He died May 1, 1878.

POSTAGE ON COMMERCIAL PAPER.

HILLSBOROUGH, Wis. Will you tell whether or not there ever was a postal law passed allowing persons to send partly written and partly printed "statements," or bills of goods, through the mails in an unsealed envelope with a one-cent stamp? AMERICA.

Answer.-Yes; any partially printed commercial papers filled out in writing, providing such writing is not in the nature of personal correspondence, and the papers are not the expression of monetary value, such as papers of legal procedure, unexecuted deeds of all kinds, way-bills, in voices, unexecuted insurance policies, and the various documents of insurance companies, are mailable at the rate of one cent for each two ounces or fractional part thereof.

JEAN INGELOW. FAIRFIELD, Neb., June 26, 1880. Give a short sketch of Jean Ingelow. EFFIE A. ZEHRUNG. Answer.-She was a popular English writer and poetess, born about 1830; has published several volumes of verse, besides works of fiction. Immediately on the publication of her volume of poems, she was recognized as an original poet, and her fame has grown wider ever since. Sometimes her poems have something

scattered and romantically vague in the representation of the idea, as in the case of one of her most celebrated poems. "High Tides on the Coast of Lincolnshire," but the details of both human character and nature are often painted with a most exquisite delicacy.

DOLLAR STANDARD.

WATSEKA, Ill., June 17, 1880. Will you please tell us when and how long the silver dollar was the only legal tender in the United States, and how often has the standard weight of gold and silver in a dollar been changed, and what were those different weights? L. STEELY.

Answer.-The gold dollar was first authorized to be coined by an act of March 3, 1849-weight, 77.4 grains; fineness, 900. It has continued to be coined ever since. The silver dollar was authorized to be coined by an act of April 2, 1792– weight, 416 grains; fineness, 892.4. Weight changed by an act of Jan. 18, 1837, to 4121 grains; fineness, 900. Coinage discontinued by act of Feb. 12, 1873. Total amount in circulaCoinage as before

tion at that date, $8,045,838. reauthorized Feb. 28, 1878.

APPROACHING COMET.

earth

S. HARRIS.

JUNIATA, Neb., June 20, 1880. Please inform me particulars relating to comets that are said to be approaching the earth. When will they be nearest? Do they affect the earth? Answer.-The only one which is at present approaching the is Faye's comet. It will be nearest the earth about Oct. 15. Its distance is very great, as it can only be seen with the aid of a telescope. Some one, who evidently knows no more about comets than a cow about music, predicted that this or some other comet would certainly strike the earth in about the vicinity of Kansas or Nebraska. and ruin that entire portion of the map of the United States. No astronomer would ever make such a prediction, as the closest predictions cannot come within 60,000 miles of the place at which a comet would strike the earth's path of motion on account of the nebulous character of a comet's head on which the observations are taken.

ORDER OF DRUIDS.

The

MERRILLAN, Wis.. July 20, 1880. Will you please give me, through your paper. some information in regard to a secret order whose badges and emblems bear these letters: U. A. O. D., their or igin, peculiarities, etc.? GEO. K, WHITNEY. Answer. It is the United Ancient Order of Druids. It is a very old order, and was first started. as its name implies, in England. societies are called groves, of which there are some seventy in this city. In this country it is largely confined to the Germans. There is one grove of Italians west of the Rocky Mountains. It is similar in character to the Masons. bers, when sick, are given a certain allowance.

Mem

MAUD BRANSCOMBE. ANN ARBOR, Mich. Can you give me any information of Maud Brans combe? Is she an actress? A SUBSCRIBER. Answer.-Maud Branscombe has been on the stage about ten years as a light serio-comic

ctress. She is not much of an actress, but presents a very pretty figure on the stage. She is known as the photographic artist, and her pictures are scattered all over the country. She can assume any position or the most difficult facial expression and retain it for four minutes. This, in connection with a very pretty form and good face, has made her the especial favorite of photographers, and hence her many photographs.

NIHILISM.

BELLEVUE, Ohio, June 27, 1880. What is the object of the Nihilists? W. S. GAHN. Answer.-Nihilism is the view of a body of political fanatics who have been for several years disturbing the peace of the Russian Empire. "Nihil" is a Latin word which means "nothing," and the Nihilists of Russia profess to believe in nothing political existing in their country, and believe it their duty to destroy with ruthless hand the present political system, and remove all who oppose them by assassination or by open fighting. The wretched tyranny of Russia has created "Nihilism," as the tyranny of the robber-knights of Germany created the "Vehme Gericht" of the middle ages.

NOAH PORTER, D.D.

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Iowa, June 21, 1880. 1. Please give a sketch of the life of Noah Porter, D.D., President of Yale College. 2. In what year did R. B. Hayes graduate at the Kenyon College? 3. Who was the President of Yale during the American Revolution? RUSTICUS. Answer.-1. Noah Porter was born in 1811, and graduated at Yale College in 1831. In 1846 he became Professor of Moral Philosophy and Metaphysics in that institution. He is one of the ablest writers on psychology, and his best work, "The Human Intellect; with an Introductory upon Psychology and the Soul," has received high praise from scientific and learned persons. Since 1871 he has been President of Yale College. 2. In 1842. 3. Ezra Stiles.

PUBLIC DEBT.

SENECA, Mo., June 28, 1880. To settle a dispute (the contending parties having agreed to leave the matter to you), please state the amount of the debt of the United States at the close of the war of secession; also, what it is now. SMITH NICHOLS. Answer.-The total outstanding debt on Aug. 31, 1865, was $2,844,649,626; deducting cash in the Treasury it was $2.756,531,571. Total debt July 1, 1880, was $2,143,260,017; deducting cash in the Treasury, $1,912,172,295.

NICKEL-PLATING.

WITOKA, Minn., July 1, 1880. I wish you would give me a receipt for nickelplating. R. J. SMALL. Answer.-Use a bath containing 3 tb ammonia-nickel sulphate to each gallon of water. The nickel anodes should expose a somewhat larger surface in the bath than the work. Use a Smee battery (carbon negative). exposing zinc having a surface equal to that of the work in the bath, and an intensity equal to two or three couples of Smee. Clean (by scouring and acid dip) the work thoroughly, and place it in the bath, connected with the zinc of the battery, the nickel anodes being in connection with the carbon pole. The bath should be kept neutral with the ammonia.

WM. WIRT-E. W. STOUGHTON.

COVERT, Mich., June 27, 1880. 1. When and 'by whom was Wm. Wirt nominated for President? 2. Was Mr, Stoughton formerly Minister to Russia? Was he, during the war, a brigadier general of one of the Vermont brigades? SUBSCRIBER.

Answer.-1. By the anti-Masonic party in 1832. 2. The Hon. Edward W. Stoughton, of New York, was appointed Minister to Russia by President Hayes. He was not in the war. There was a General Stoughton from Michigan who was made a brigadier general and afterward major general in the late war.

CORN PRODUCTION.

NORTONVILLE, Kan., June 20, 1880. 1. State the average vearly amount of corn used in the manufacture of liquors in the United States. 2. Also the yearly crop of corn in the United States (average). T. L. HOWE, Answer.-1. Estimating that one bushel of corn will produce four gallons of spirits, about 18,000,000 are used. 2. According to latest statistics, 1,388,218,750 bushels; average yield per acre about 20.7 bushels.

CIRCUMNAVIGATING THE GLOBE. SHELL ROCK, Iowa. Who was the first circumnavigator of the globe! Some authorities say Magellan, others Captain Cook. N. G.

Answer.-Magellan was killed at the Philippine Islands on his trip around the world, but one of his vessels, the "Vittoria," commanded by Sebastian del Carro, sailed on to Spain, and was the first to circumnavigate the globe. This was more than two centuries before Cook was born. ARE GREENBACKS TAXABLE? DURHAM. Ill. Are greenbacks taxable? M. W. O'BRIAN. Answer.-They are not, but national bank notes are taxable.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS. VICTORIA, Kan., June 17, 1880. What are the "national holidays" of the United States? S. PHILIP. Answer.-In Illinois they are New Year's, Fourth of July, Christmas, and any day ap