The Spectator, April 10, 1860, p. 2, c. 1
As the times approach for holding the National Conventions of the various political parties of the country, the Washington correspondents of the New York press are busily at work figuring out the chances of the different Presidential aspirants, first for a nomination and then for election. These gentlemen are exceedingly well posted, but their calculation do not always prove correct, and we give them for only what they are worth. The Democracy of Virginia having elected a majority of Hunter delegates to the Charleston Convention, the two most prominent candidates before that body will probably be Mr. Hunter and Judge Douglas. In a contest between the Democrats and Republicans, Mr. Hunter would undoubtedly receive the electoral votes of all the slaveholding States, and probably of California also. This would give him 124 votes, whereas 152 are doubtful. The Richmond Enquirer says that the friends of Gov. Wise believe Mr. Humter "to be utterly unavailable, with no strength in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana or Illinois." These States, together with Minnesota and Oregon, casting 65 votes, are classed as "doubtful." They will probably turn the scale in the Presidential election, and leading politicians of both parties, who are not wedded to particular men, will endeavor to nominate the candidate who is most likely to obtain their support.
In regard to Judge Douglas, his friends claim that he will go into the Charleston Convention with 128 votes certain. While he may carry the doubtful Northern States, it is apprehended, on the other hand, that he would lose South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama and perhaps other Southern States. His opponents, however, estimate his strength at Charleston as only 77 votes. Should Hunter and Douglas both go over board, Gen. Lane, of Oregon, who is already looming up as a formidable candidate, is as likely to carry the day as any one else.
The result of the Connecticut election is regarded as favorable to Mr. Hunter. If the Democrats had carried that State, it would have been taken as an indication in favor of Judge Douglas; but the Republicans having triumphed, it shows how little aid is to be expected from the North, and will discourage the nomination of a candidate from that section. It has also probably improved the prospects of Seward for the Republican nomination, that party being emboldend [sic] by the result to put a man on the track who is fully identified with their principles.
The third party, whose Convention meets at Baltimore on the 9th of May, will have a finger in the pie, and the recent election in Rhode Island is a straw which shows how the wind blows. In Connecticut where the contest was between the Democrats and Republicans, the latter triumphed; in Rhode Island, the Whigs and Americans nominated a conservative candidate for Governor, who was afterwards endorsed by the Democrats, and the Republicans were defeated. This result encourages the hope that the Constitutional Union party, if it accomplishes nothing more in the Presidential contest, may rescue some of the Northern States from the Republicans, possibly throwing the election into the House of Representatives, where, it is admitted, a Republican President cannot be chosen.
The Spectator, April 10, 1860, p. 2, c. 2
It has long been the reproach of the people of the United States that they pay so little attention to Bathing, and much of the ill health of our people, male and female, may fairly be attributed to the want of convenient and healthful baths.
It is proposed, we understand, to supply this great want in our community by establishing at once a complete bathing establishment, furnished with warm and cold, plunge and shower baths, upon the most approved plans for the accommodation of all who have enough of the old fogy about them to resort to water bathing when they have the opportunity to indulge in the great luxury of a Russian steam bath.
This Russian bath is to be the great attraction of the establishment, and if the half be true that we have heard of its pleasures and its benefits, it promises to be one of the greatest comforts and blessings ever bestowed upon our community.
We understand that the Baths are to be located and constructed with express reference to the comfort of ladies and families, the object being to merit and to secure the patronage of our entire community, and to induce strangers to make our town a place of summer resort.
The Russian bath is no new experiment even in this country. There is one now in successful operation at the University of Virginia, where it is taken by Professors and Students, as a luxury, in winter and in summer, and is highly commended by the Medical Faculty on the score of health.
The Spectator, April 17, 1860, p. 1, c. 6
There is a perfect fever raging in Georgia now on the subject of buying negroes. Several sales which have come under our eye within a month past, afford an unmistakable symptom of the prevalence of a disease in the public mind on this subject. In view of the fabulous prices offered for this species of property, reflecting men are led to the inquiry, what is to be done to supply the deficiency which is produced with us by the great demand for negroes in the Southwest? We are unable to give any satisfactory answer. But, so far as the effect which these high prices are to have in our own State is concerned, we think we can truthfully say the fever will soon abate in a very natural way. Men are borrowing money to day at exorbitant rates of interests to buy negroes at exorbitant prices.
The speculation will not sustain the speculators, and in a short time we shall see many negroes and much land offered under the Sheriff's hammer, with few buyers for cash, and then this kind of property will descend to its real value. The old rule of pricing a negro by the price of cotton by the pound--that is to say, if cotton is worth twelve cents, a negro man is worth twelve hundred dollars, if at fifteen cents, then fifteen hundred dollars--does not seem to be regarded. Negroes are twenty-five per cent. higher now, with cotton at ten and a half cents, than they were two or three years ago, when it was worth fifteen and sixteen cents. Men are demented upon the subject. A reverse will surely come.--Federal Union.