Resolved, That, in order to bring about the success of the Republican ticket in November next, we encourage our people everywhere to the adoption of that great statesmanlike idea upon which parties never fall but may ever stand, the great idea that the office should seek the man and not the man the office; that we impress upon the members of the Republican party in the State of Alabama, that they nominate none for office save those they know to be true to the principles of the party, and who can bring to the support of our State ticket the greatest number of voters for our district, county division, congressional and State candidates.

Resolved, That the members of the Republican party everywhere be urged to see to it that our conventions be fairly and patriotically assembled, and assembled solely for the purpose of advancing the interests of the party, and not the interests of individuals.

Resolved, That the convention through its State Representatives impress upon the legislative body of the State of Alabama, at its next session, the importance and urgent necessity of their creating a compulsory school bill, feeling assured that, without such a bill as is here asked for, the rising generation will be (intellectually speaking) but little superior to generations gone before, and our Government grow weaker and weaker, for the want of an educated, intelligent class of citizens.

After a very exciting contest, the election was held on the 3d of November, and resulted in the success of the Democratic Conservative ticket, the vote being as follows:

Governor-George S. Houston, 107,118; D. P. Lewis, 93,928.

Lieutenant-Governor-R. F. Ligon, 107,109; H. McKinstry, 93,532.

Attorney-General-J. W. A. Sanford, 106,923; George Turner, 93,493.

Secretary of State-R. K. Boyd, 106,882; N. H. Rice, 93,612.

Treasurer-Daniel Crawford, 106,575; Arthur Bingham, 93,455.

In a total vote, therefore, of 201,046, Houston's majority was 13,190. At the previous election of 1872, the total vote for Governor was 171,239, of which Lewis received 89,868, and Herndon 81,371, giving the former a majority of 8,497. President Grant's majority in the same year was 10,828, the total vote for President being 169,716.

After the election the Executive Committee of the Democratic party, which had now come into power for the first time in several years, issued an address, in which the future policy of the party was indicated as follows:

The party we represent is firmly pledged, by all that is sacred among men, to use its utmost endeavors to bring the blessings of good government to all the people of this State, and, under the providence of God, it remains to be seen whether our party is equal to the responsible and arduous duties it has undertaken to perform. These duties require of us, that justice must be fairly administered according to the laws of the land; that the rights of all the people of Alabama, both of person and of property, must be preserved inviolate that there must be no oppression of any race or class of men; that the credit and good name of this State must be restored; that harmonious relations of mutual confidence and good-will must be cultivated and adjusted, among all the conflicting interests represented among the people of this State; that yielding a cheerful obedi

VOL. XIV.-2 A

ence to the laws of the United States, and promptly bearing our share of the burdens of the General Government, whether in war or in peace, we must also cultivate such other relations that the citizens of every State composing our great Union who may from time to time have business with us, or come into our midst, shall receive that justice and hearty welcome at our hands due to brethren of the same great household, without regard to difference of political opinion. If we fail to accomplish substantially these results, just so far will we disappoint the hopes and expectations of a large majority of the people of Alabama. A bright future is before us, and we feel that, with proper exertions on our part, there can be no reasonable doubt they will speedily result in prosperity to all the people of our beloved State.

George Smith Houston, the successful candidate for Governor, was born in Tennessee, in 1809. At the age of twelve he went with his parents to Alabama, and settled in Lauderdale County. In 1831 he was admitted to the bar, and in the following year was elected to the Legislature. In 1834 he removed to Limestone County, and in 1837 was elected to the office of Solicitor. He continued in this office until 1841, when he was elected to Congress on the Democratic ticket. He was reelected in 1843, '45, 47, 51, 53, '55, '57, and 1859. But before the expiration of the last term he withdrew from Congress, when Alabama seceded from the Union. In 1860 he was a "Douglas Democrat," and opposed secession, but subsequently went with his State when it seceded. After the war he was elected to the United States Senate, but was refused admission, when he retired to private life and there continued until the campaign of 1874.

The Legislature assembled on the 16th of November, and continued in session till December 17th, when it adjourned until January 13, 1875. The most important act passed was the bill authorizing the Governor to appoint two commissioners, citizens of Alabama, who with the Governor shall constitute a board to adjust and liquidate the bonded liabilities of the State. The Governor at once complied with the law by appointing, for the required term of two years, L. W. Lawler, of Talladega, and J. B. Bethea, of Montgomery, who are said to be able financiers. The commissioners are required to report their action to the Governor, by whom it must be communicated to the Legislature. The powers and duties of the commission are set forth in the second section of the act as follows:

SECTION 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of said commissioners, and they are hereby authorized and empowered to take charge and ascertain, liquidate, and adjust the subsisting legal liabilities of the State of Alabama on the bonds issued and the bonds indorsed by the State of Alabama and the coupons on the same in such manner as the interests of the State may require, and by negotiation to provide for the payment of such amount of the said several legal liabilities as may be arranged for under the powers hereby conferred, and the interest that may be agreed to be paid upon the principal so negotiated, in such a manner and at such times as to them may seem advisable; and for this purpose said Commissioners shall, by advertisement or otherwise,

at as early a day as practicable, require the presenta tion of all claims of the character aforesaid to them, with the amount claimed, and may inquire into the consideration alleged to have been paid or given to the State therefor, or that is alleged in support of the liability claimed against the State: Provided, however, that no adjustment of said alleged liabilities, or any part thereof, or an arrangement for the payment of any sum in discharge thereof, shall be binding on the State unless and until approved and ratifiled by the General Assembly thereof.

The total receipts into the State Treasury during the year ending September 30, 1874, amounted to $1,870,757, and the disbursements to $1,624,363. The aggregate direct indebtedness of the State is reported by the Treasurer at $10,452,593. This includes the bonds issued for State purposes to the amount of $6,619,800 due at different times from 1886 to 1894, and on which the annual interest amounts to $411,896. The nature of this indebtedness is indicated in the following exhibit :

....

administration of Governor Lewis, in interest, the sum of about $834,000, and there are now in arrears $944,000 as interest, and it is believed that this is short by $110,000. The State also became responsible for $312,000, as purchase-money bid by Governor Lindsay at bankrupt sale, and has paid large sums as fees to attorneys; $140,000 have been paid to the employés of the road, under the receivership of the State when first seized by Governor Lindsay.

On the 9th of September Governor Houston sent a special message to the Legislature concerning this corporation, in which he said:

Since entering upon the discharge of the duties with the Alabama & Chattanooga Railroad, and its of Governor, I find the complications connected company, so numerous and extensive, that fear may be properly entertained that the important interests of the State, arising out of the indorsement of the bonds of the Company for the construction of that road may be seriously endangered. I regard it of

EDUCATIONAL FUND INDEBTEDNESS.

81,535 00

$10,452,593 30

Aggregate direct indebtedness. (Annual interest on trust funds, $224,510.25.) The contingent liabilities of the State, under acts approved in 1867 and 1870, are reported at $15,051,000, as follows:

Indorsement of Railroad Bonds, etc., to September 30, 1874.

The South & North Alabama Railroad has complied with the act of the General Assembly, approved April 21, 1873, and has surrendered her indorsed bonds to the amount of $3,635,000, and received from the State bonds to the amount of $341,000, under said act of the Legislature.

The Savannah & Memphis Railroad has made no default in payment of its interest, and has completed twenty miles of additional road, for the examination of which commissioners have been appointed, but have not yet reported.

The other railroads for which the State has indorsed bonds are in default in the payment of interest on their bonds, and those which are incomplete are doing nothing in the construction of their roads.

ALASKA. This Territory of the United States, which was formerly known as Russian America, comprises all that portion of the North American Continent lying west of the 141st parallel of west longitude, together with a narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the British dominions. The Territory also includes all the islands near the coast and the whole of the Aleutian Archipelago, except Behring and Copper Islands, on the coast of Kamtchatka. The area of Alaska, including the islands, is 580,107 square miles. The population in 1870 was 29,097, of whom 26,843 were natives of the Territory, 1,421 half-breeds, 483 Russians, and 350 were natives

of the United States and foreigners, not Russians. There are not more than 1,500 completely civilized inhabitants. Sitka, or New Archangel, is the capital, and only considerable town of the Territory; it is situated on a small but commodious harbor on Baranov Island, in latitude 57° 3' north and longitude 135° 17' west. It was long the headquarters of the Russian-American Fur Company, though the natural centre of the fur-trade is the island of Kodiak, south of the Aliaska peninsula. At the time of the transfer of the Territory to the United States in 1867, Sitka, although founded in the last century, was little better than a collection of log-huts, about one hundred in number, with a few superior buildings occupied by government officers. St. Paul, the principal settlement on Kodiak Island, is the main depot of the seal-fisheries, and is surrounded by the best farming-land in the Territory. Next in importance as a settlement is Captain's Harbor, on the island of Unalashka, where is found the best anchorage in the Aleutian group. The remaining civilized places in Alaska consist for the most part of small trading-posts scattered throughout the country, the principal of them being Fort Yukon, near latitude 66° north, the most northerly station of the Hudson Bay Company. The interior of Alaska has been but little explored, and our knowledge of the country is confined mainly to the islands, the coasts, and a few of the larger rivers. The entire coast line of the Territory, without including the smaller indentations, measures 4,000 miles in length, and is bounded by three seas, the Arctic Ocean on the north, Behring Sea on the west, and the North Pacific on the south.

The climate is by no means as severe as that of corresponding latitudes on the eastern coast of North America. In regard both to climate and agriculture, the Territory is naturally divisible into three regions: the Yukon district, comprising all the country north of the Alaskan Mountains; the Aleutian district, comprising the islands of that name and the peninsula; and the Sitka district, comprising the remainder of the Territory. In the Yukon district the mean annual temperature is about 25° Fahr., and the ground remains frozen to within two or three feet of the surface throughout the summer. The amount of rainfall is not accurately known. In winter the ice on the Yukon, which is the chief river of Alaska, averages five feet in thickness, and, where there is sufficient water, it has been known to freeze to a depth of nine feet. The summer is short, dry, and hot. May, June, and July constitute the pleasant season; then the rainy weather begins and lasts till October. The lowest temperature ever recorded in this region was -70° Fahr. The climate of the Aleutian district is warmer, the mean annual temperature being from 36° to 40° Fahr. The average annual rainfall is about 40 inches, distributed among 150 rainy days in each year. January, February, and June, are the pleasantest months.

A still warmer and moister climate is characteristic of the Sitka district. The town of Sitka is said to be the rainiest place in the world outside of the tropics. From 60 to 90 inches of rain fall annually, and the number of rainy days in each year varies from a minimum of 190 to a maximum of 285. The mean annual temperature is 44°; but the average temperature in winter is proportionately much higher than in summer, being only a little below the freezing-point; while the excessive rains in summer make that season unduly cold. Ice fit for consumption scarcely ever forms at Sitka.

The agricultural resources of Alaska are practically confined to the Aleutian and Sitka districts. The abundant growth of rich perennial grasses in the valley of the Yukon affords excellent fodder for cattle, but no grain has ever been raised there, and the only vegetables which have succeeded are radishes, turnips, and lettuce. The most fertile land is found at Cook's Inlet on Kodiak Island, and among the Aleutians, where good oats, barley, and rootcrops, can be raised without much difficulty. Whether the potato can ever be successfully cultivated in Alaska, is doubtful. In the most favored farming districts the agricultural production can scarcely ever exceed the local demand.

The leading industries of Alaska are the fisheries and the fur-trade. In 1870, the product of the fisheries, in salted codfish alone, was 10,612,000 pounds. The great source of wealth of the Territory, and its commercial importance, is the production of fur-seal skins. The total annual catch of fur-seals throughout the world has been estimated, by high authority, at 160,000, of which 100,000 are taken from the waters of Alaska. The value of the entire furproducts of Alaska has been stated at upward of $1,200,000 per annum. Prior to 1867, the large fur-products of this country were collected by the Russian - American Fur Company of St. Petersburg, through its agents in Alaska, and, being concentrated annually at Sitka, were forwarded by ship to London and St. Petersburg. The furs are mainly those of the fur-seal taken in two small islands in Behring's Sea; the sea-otter skins taken mostly along the shores of the Aleutian or Fox Islands; and, general furs, such as beaver, fox, marten, bear, etc., found in the forests of the main-land. These are nearly all collected by the natives of the Territory, and by them traded off for the necessities of their mode of life. The fur-sealing on the two islands of St. Paul and St. George, situated three hundred miles from any other land, is a special branch of the trade. These islands are the summer home of these peculiar animals, to which they resort from May to November in each year, for the purposes of reproduction, rearing of their young, and shedding their coats of hair. As winter approaches they all migrate, and are not seen again until the following spring. Dur

ing the summer millions of these animals line the shores for miles, and, notwithstanding that thousands are killed each year, they continue to multiply and increase. The demand for this particular fur having increased very largely in recent years, it is a matter of national importance to preserve the race of fur-seals. In 1868 parties from San Francisco, California, and New London, Connecticut, visited the islands of St. George and St. Paul, and secured large numbers of these skins. As the furbearing seal had been nearly exterminated in other parts of the world, the Congress of the United States extended special jurisdiction over the islands of St. Paul and St. George, forbade any one to go there without authority, and in due time passed a judicious law to govern the taking of the animals; sent proper persons to enforce the same, leased the islands, and laid a tax upon the skins taken, which is producing an annual revenue to the Government of over $300,000. The law wisely provides that none but male seals shall be killed. The breeding females, the young, and old bulls, are not molested. The proper season for kill ing is strictly observed, and thus the animals are likely long to continue to supply their beautiful fur.

The seal-islands of Alaska are leased by the United States Government to the Alaska Commercial Company of San Francisco, a corporation organized under the laws of California. The number of fur-seal skins which this company are allowed to take is now limited to 100,000 per annum; this entire product is sent to London, and there sold at the great semi-annual auctions. The company are under heavy personal bonds to the Government, faithfully to observe all laws of Congress relative to the time and mode of killing the animals, and the treatment of their native employés. They have the exclusive right to capture the fur-seal at St. George and St. Paul Islands, but all other kinds of fur-bearing animals may be taken by any persons, and the general fur-trade is open to free competition. The company have from sixteen to twenty trading-posts on the main-land and islands of Alaska, at which are gathered every year large numbers of furs and skins. They employ about a dozen vessels, and a corps of traders or factors, and concentrate their gatherings annually at San Francisco, whence they are forwarded to the best markets. The extent of the fur-trade of Alaska is indicated in the following approximative statement of the number of skins annually brought to San Francisco:

Fur-seal, 100,000; hair-seal, 150; sea-otter, 3,700; land-otter, 1,500; silver fox, 475; blue fox, 3,400; cross fox, 1,200; red fox, 6,400; white fox, 575; beaver, 17,600; marten, 10,700; sable, 600; mink, 6,700; bear, 425; musquash, 4,000; lynx, 250; ermine, 1,350; squirrel, 100; bird skins, 100; reindeer-skins, 100; moose-skins, 200.

Under the provisions of the act of April 22, 1874, authorizing the Secretary of the Treas ury to appoint a person qualified by experi ence and education to visit the trading-stations and Indian villages in the Territory of Alaska, Seal Islands, and the large islands in Behring's Sea, to collect authentic information relating to the varied interests of the Government in that Territory and the adjacent regions, Mr. Henry W. Elliott was designated as a special agent for that purpose. The report presented by him to the Treasury Department as the result of his labors contains a comprehensive statement of the character of the country, the condition of the natives, the present state of the seal and other fisheries, and the trade of the Territory, with minute descriptions of the haunts and habits of the seal and other fur-bearing animals, as also many valuable suggestions in regard to the management of the natives, the preservation of the seal-fisheries, and the economical collection of the revenue. No more satisfactory exhibit of the condition of the Territory and of its probable resources has hitherto been presented to the Treasury Department.

The Government has derived an income from the tax on seal-skins and from the rent of the fur-seal islands, since the acquisition of the Territory, as follows:

Making a total income of............. $1,350,229 67 ALEXANDER, WILLIAM COWPER, LL. D., a distinguished lawyer, scholar, and political leader, of New Jersey, for fifteen years past the President of the Equitable Assurance Society of New York, born in Virginia in 1806; died in New York City August 23, 1874. He was the second son of Rev. Archibald Alexander, D. D., the celebrated pulpit orator and theological professor, and a brother of James W. Joseph Addison, Henry M., Samuel D., and Archibald Alexander, Jr., all eminent in their several professions. William C. Alexander graduated from Princeton College in 1824, and was admitted to the bar in 1827, when he soon attained distinction both for his profound legal attainments and his remarkable and commanding eloquence as an advocate. He early took an active part in political matters, never seeking, and often peremptorily declining office, but ever striving to maintain principle, integrity, and honor. He was for several years President of the State Senate of New Jersey; and, sorely against his will, was the nearly successful candidate for the gov ernorship of the State. He would have been chosen United States Senator from the State by a large majority, but he prohibited the use of his name. He was a delegate to the Peace Congress in 1861. It was while thus esteemed and honored that he withdrew almost entirely from political life, to devote himself, as he has

done with great assiduity and zeal, to the interests of life assurance. He was chosen President of the Equitable Life Assurance Society at its organization in 1859, and remained in that office till his death; and, by his commanding influence, and his rare executive ability, won for it an unprecedented success. Though an elegant and forcible writer, and an eloquent speaker, he had published very little beyond occasional addresses and arguments. He took a deep interest in education generally, and especially in the prosperity of Princeton College. He made the address of welcome to President McCosh on his inauguration, which was an eloquent and enthusiastic greeting, although he had but a few hours for its preparation. He received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., in 1860.

AMERICA. The progress of affairs in the States of North America was attended with no unusual event. A favorable summer resulted in large and abundant harvests. In the United States some disturbances arose with small parties of Indians, and in Louisiana the dissatisfaction with the State government continued, and required the presence of a small force of the United States troops. A disturbance also arose at Vicksburg, between blacks and whites (see MISSISSIPPI). The question of mixed schools of white and black children was extensively discussed in the Southern States, in anticipation of the passage of a "civil rights" act by Congress. Financial affairs throughout the country continued in an uncertain state, and a general embarrassment prevailed. The relations with foreign governments have been of the most peaceful character.

With the exception of the Plate provinces, where absolute tranquillity has been unknown since the Paraguayan War, the whole of South America has enjoyed a year of profound peace; and it would seem as if political turmoils and internecine strifes had at last ceased to be the normal occupation of the people, and were about to give place to the development of those inexhaustible natural resources which rank the South-American states among the richest and most beautiful in the world. Industrial enterprise is carried on with unabating energy in Chili and Peru, and commercial intercourse is rapidly extending between all the countries and the United States and Europe. Railways and telegraphs are multiplying in Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, Chili, and the Argentine Republic; and a concession was granted in the course of 1874, for the construction of a line of railway to unite the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards, bringing Buenos Ayres within sixty hours of Valparaiso. The completion of the submarine cable from Lisbon to Pernambuco has put almost all of South America in direct connection with the great telegraphic net-work of our globe; and local lines are fast extending the links to every corner of the country. Education is the object of much zeal in all the states; and in

this respect Mexico is among the foremost; nor are the five Central-American states, spite of their endless international disputes, forgetful of the happy results to be obtained by the diffusion of useful knowledge. Large appropriations have been made during the year for the construction of school-houses, and the importation of books and teachers, for which purpose agents have already been dispatched to the United States by more than one of those little republics.

An alliance between the republics of the Pacific and Atlantic had been suggested for the avowed purpose of protecting republican principles in all of them; but, notwithstanding some diplomatic steps already taken, it is not probable that the project will receive much serious consideration.

ANGLICAN CHURCHES. The Public Worship Regulation Act.-On the 20th of April the Archbishop of Canterbury introduced in the House of Lords a bill for the better administration of the laws respecting the regulation of public worship. He supported it with a strong argument, showing the necessity for additional legislation to suppress irregularities in ritual, and preserve the peace and harmony of the Church. The bill was long and fully discussed in the House of Lords, and passed its third reading toward the end of June. In the House of Commons, it was again subjected to a rigorous scrutiny. Of the speeches made in this House, that of Mr. Gladstone against the bill, on the 9th of July, and that of Mr. Disraeli in favor of it, on the 16th of July, received the most attention. The bill passed the House of Commons on the 3d of August, having received some amendments which were concurred in without delay by the House of Lords, and it became a law on the 7th of August. It is commonly cited by its shorter title, as "The Public Worship Regulation Act, 1874." It provides that the Archbishops of Canterbury and York may, with the approval of her Majesty, or that her Majesty may, if the archbishops fail to act, appoint a suitably-qualified person to be, during good behavior, a judge of the Provincial Courts of Canterbury and York. In case of a vacancy in the office of official principal of the Arches Court of Canterbury, or of official principal or auditor of the Chancery Court of York, or of Master of the Faculties to the Archbishop of Canterbury, this judge shall become ex officio such official, principal, auditor, or Master of the Faculties. The judge, before entering upon his office, must file a declaration that he is a member of the Church of England. It is further provided that "if the archdeacon of the archdeaconry, or a church-member of the parish, or any three parishioners within which archdeaconry or parish any church or burialground is situated, or for the use of any part of which any burial-ground is legally provided, or in case of cathedral or collegiate churches, any three inhabitants of the diocese," being