Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, November 27, 1872, Page 4

THE CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1873. -~ TERMS OF THE TRIBUNE. TEEME OF SUBSCRIPTION (PATABLE IN ADVANC:‘.;). 0 Daily, by mail......S12.00 | Sunda .5 RN SR sy Parta of a year at tho samo rato. To prevent delay and mistakes, bo sure and gise Post Of:co address in fall, including State aud Counts. Remittauces may bo made either by drait, cxpress, Post Office order, or in registered leiters, at our risk. TERMS 7O CITY SUBSCRIBEDS. % , Qelivercd, Sanday excepted, 25 cents per weok. Paly Slivered, Eondy fciiiea: 2 ég:fipp;;_;enk_ Address THE TRIBUNE Corner Madison ond Dearbora-sta., Chicago, 1il. TRIBTSE Brabéh Offico, No. 469 Wabash-av., in the Bookstore of Messrs. Cobb, Andrews & Co., whero sdvertisements and subseriptions will bo reccived, and will have tho same attention as if loit at the Main Ozice. CONTENTS OF TO-DAY’S TRIBUNE. FIRST PAGE-Washington, New York, and Miscel. lancous Telegraphic News. SECOND PAGE—The Sonthwest: Sketches of the Pio. ncers—Pere Hyacinthe's Wife—Obituary: Sir John Bowring, LL. D., F. R. S.—Another Murder— Gencral News Items—Personal. r THIRD PAGE—Tnsurance: A Talk with a General Agent—Evanston Itoms—Sanitary Mattors: Dr. Rauch on Mortzlity Generally—Tho Western Block- ado—Business Directory—RailroadTim Table. FOURTH PAGE—Editorials: The Gas Suppls; Munlci- pal Aid; Railroad Abuses—Tho Gas Question—City in Brief—Current News Itcms—Political. FIFTH PAGE—Tho Decimal Systém: Explana tion of Aldermen Bond's System of Numbering Strects— The Law Courts. SIXTH PAGE—Monotary and Commercial: Weekly Review. SEVENTH PAGE-Commercialand Monctary [Contin- tinued)— Marine Intelligence — Small Adrertise- ments: Real Estate, For Salo, To Rent, Wanted, Boarding, Lodging, Etc, EIGHTH . PAGE—Forelgn News—Miscellaneous Tele- grams—Auction Advertisements TO-DAY'S AMUSEMENTS. A'VICKER'S THEATRE—Madison stecet, betweon State and Dearborn. Miss Maggie Mitchell, supported by Mr. L. R. Shewell, *‘Jans Esre.” ATKEN'S THEATRE—Wabash avenue, corner of Con- gress street. G. L. Fox Pantomime Combination. ““Humpty Dampty.” HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE~Randolph strect, be- tween Clark snd LaSalle. The Allen-Mnc Combina- tion, supported by Atken's Company. ‘‘Rip Van Winkle," ACADEMY OF MUSIC—Halsted strect, south of Madison. Engagement of Miss Charlotte Thompson. **Seaof Ice. =g = o MYERS' OPERA HOUSE-Monroo street, between State and Dessborn. Arlington, Cotton & Kemble's Minstrel and Burlesquo Troupe. NIXON'S AMPEITHEATRE—Clinton strect, between ‘Washington and Randolph. Morlacchi Balletand Dra- ‘matic Combination. *French Sps." GLOBE THEATRE—Desplaines street, between Madi- sonand Washington, Bies Blanche Selwsn. *‘Divorce ™ and ““Jeck the Giant Killer.” The @hieage Tribmne, ‘Wednesday Morning, November 27, 1872, The Judiciary Committee of the Board of Educstion have been instructed to ascertain whet steps the city has taken to recover £20,000 due the School Fand by J. Y. Scammon. Ascistant Quartermaster General Allen has the eatisfaction to report that in the four years between '61 and ’65 he disbursed 2111,837,143, #ith s deficiency of $3,000, due simply to clerical errors. o Elsborate experiments made during the pasy sear by the Chief of the Engineers of the Army bave led him to recommend the adoption of tor- pedoes for coast defences. It will cost two mill- jons to fully equip our sesports with these ter~ rible engines of destruction, and helf & million to place them in the chief harbors. Five or seven millions of dollars are the spoils of the victors in the Northwestern speculation. All the losers have settled except Smith, who seeks to escape his losses by delivering North- western preferred instead of Northwestern com- mon. He finds a precedent in one of the grain corriers of Chicago, whero the Courts decided that No. 1 wheat could be delivered on & contract for No. 2. Fifteen hundred children pass six hours & day 1n 5 public school building in New York, which is 80 unsafe that their lives are in instant and lasting peril, but the suthorities cannot, they eay, repair the building becsuse of the lack of funds in the plundered City Treasury. Tweed's cese, meanwhile, was carried over yesterday to Afonday next, and Connolly is on his way to the Holy Land. Mayor Medill thinks that, if the city guaran- teed the West Side Gas Company & net profit of 10 per cent a year on their capital, it would make it their interest to run up all their ex- penses to the most extravagant figore, and would relieve them of all prudential considera- tions in the management of their business, for the greater the expenses the greater the invest- ‘ment and the greater the dividends ; and, lastly, a mew source of civic corruption would be opened. General Walker, in his report as Chief of the Indian Bureau, eays that the mee of force in desling with savages ig one of the most essential features of apeace policy. Neverwere the pros- pects of a successful solution of the Indien question better. Only 8,000 implacables remain who deserve no further forbearance, such as the Comanches, Kiowas, and Apaches, and they are destined to speedy extirpation. To submit orto die are the only alternatives they have. In three years, General Walker believes, all possibility of Indian wars will have disappeared. The reported confession of Mara, the Phila- delphis rough and murderer, only confirms what ‘has been strongly suspected and openly charged ‘before,—that his crimes, and the depredations of the gang to which he belonged, were in the interests of some political faction. In addition to the attempted murders of Revenue Officer Rrooks and ex-Alderman McAMullen, the abstract of Mara's affidavit sets forth incendiarism, bur- glary, and other attempts at assassination, as parts of the same general programme for con- trolling the political affairs of Philadelphia by a gystem of terroriem. We can understand from thig revelation why it was that Mara has en- joyed an exemption from justice. Mara’s con- feasion, which would have been a bombshell be- fore the eiection, will not do the damegeofa ©op-gan at this time. The natural inference would be that it would inzure Mara the full term af imprisonment fo which L@ has been sen- tenced ; but, in the light of precodents, it mey be that the confessjon Muay be mads ;0 turn to hiszdvzatage, r——— The delegates elected in Perusylvania on | t_l-,e Sthof Novemberto revise the Stats Consti- tution arc now in session at Herrisburg, one hundred and thirty-thres in number, ninety-four of vhomarepromizentiawyers andsevan railroad gentlemen. There are 2150 five ex-members of Coagress, &m0 ex-members of the Cabinet, an ex-Governor, and éx-Justices of the Supreme Court. Thke Convention is presided over by Hon. Willism Meredith, of Philsdelphis, who wes an aclive member of the Constitutional .| dull yesterday, and the leading ones were uryin General Taylor's Administration. As a matter of historicel interest itmay be stated that the first Constitution of Pennsylvania was ‘made in 1776, in & Convention presided aver by Benjamin Franklin, In 1790,s new Constitu- tion was adopted by s Convention over which Hon. Thomas Miflin, the first Governor of the State, presided. The next andlest Constitu- tional Convention was held in 1837. It is stated that the present Convention is composed of del- egates who have been elected, irrespective of party feeling, and who represent the best ability of the State. On the principle of locking the stable-door after the horse has been stolen, the ‘Massachu- setts Senate is considering a law regulating the formation of mutnal and stock fire insurance companies in that State. The proposed law prescribes that there shall bea capital sfock, paid in, of not less than $200,000, and a guaran- tee capital of not less than $100,000; that the scmi-annual dividend shall not be more than 4 per cent; thet three-fourths of the met profit over and above this dividend shall be divided among the insured at the espiration of their policies, and the remaining one-fourth shall be invested a8 a reserve for the secutity of the insured; that, when this reserve shall smount tomore than 5 per cent of the aggregate amount of rieks, the surplus shall also be parcelled out to the insured; and that all expenses, losses, and linbilities, including a sum sufficient to rein~ sure &1l risks outstanding, shall be deducted be- fore declaring any dividend at all. It also pro- vides that losses shall first be paid out of the guarantee capital, and that, when this fund be- comes reduced, it shall bo made good out of the accumulated reserve, or by pesessments on the contingent fund. The principle of thislaw is undoubtedly s wise one, and, properly applied, will go far toward giving the insured the protec- tion they ought to have. Whether its details are correct or not can only be demonstrated by cxperience. The Chicago produce markets were generally easier. Mess pork was quiet and weak, at $18.00@18.25 cash; $12.00@12.10 seller Decem- ber; and $12.25@12.30 seller March. Lard was active and steady at 7X{c cash; T @T¥c seller December; and 75{c seller March. Meats were ‘more active, but easier, at 4c for shoulders ; 6c for short ribs; and 63{@G34c for short clear, all 15 and 20 ‘days in salt. Sweet pickled hams steedy at 93@103{c. Highwines wero quiet and steady at 8834c per gallon. Lake freights were quiet and firm at 113{c for corn by sail to Dufialo. Flour was quiet and firm. Wheat wes dull, and 1@13ge lower, closing at $1.09 cash; $L08% eeller December; and 1.09% eeller Jenuary. Corn was dull, and 3}{c lower, closing at 8lic seller the month, and813¢c, seller December. Oats ‘were more active and firmer, at 233{@24c cash, and 24@24X(c seller December. Ryo was quiet and firm at 56c. Barley was more active and steady, closing st 63c cash No.2or seller the month ; 6le seller December, and 51@5134e for No.8. The hog market was dull atthe open- ing, butlaterin the day, prices having been lowered 20c, trading was active. Closing prices were £3.50@4.05. The market was dull and un- settled. Sheep met with a fair demand at un- which was unanimously ratified by the people. A partisan Constitution is an abomination. —_— THE GAS SUPPLY. Mr. Billings, President of the Gas Company on the West Side, made rather a sweeping prop- osition to the City Council on Monday night. Though the proposition does not go into detail, it substantially offers that the city shall investi- gate and ascertain the value of the property owned by that Company, and that the Company will fornish gas to its customers at prices to be fixed by the Council, and which shall yield that Company 10 per cent interest on the money in- vested. Should this offer be declined, or shonld the city, after accept- ing i, find it more sdvantageous to become the exclusive owner of the property of the Gas Company, he offers the privilege of purchasing it at a fair valuation by competent ‘persons gelected for that purpose. These offers are not made upon the basis of the value of capi- tal stock, but upon the value of the actual prop- erty owned and held by the Company. The Common Council, by & decided vote, re- ferred the whole subject to the new Council which beging next week, and the latter body will probably accede.to Mr. Billings® request for a conference between the City Government and the Gas Company, and the intelligent maturing of a permanent arrangement of the question of s supply of cheap gas. ‘MUNICIPAL AID. A bill has been reorted in one house of the Legislature of Massachusetts authorizing the City of Boston to borrow $20,000,000 to lend to the owners of the property in the burnt district in that city, to enable them to rebuild. This is one of those instances of emotional action,which, upon reflection, we think the good people of Boston will regret. It is founded upon the the- ory of paternal government ; that the Govern- ment can take better care of the private affairs and business of the citizens than they can themselves. But, even under the theory of pater- nal government, the injustice of this proceeding will be evident. The destruction of property by fire is no unusual thing. It is oc- curring every day. Even since the fire of Nov. 9, Boston has been visited by other fires fwhich have destroyed largo amounts of property. For the Government of the city to lend its credit to those who lost their buildings on the 9th of No- vember, and not extend it to those who lost their property the next day, or a week later, would be drawing a distinction without any reasonable cause. And, if the city ia to loanits credit to those who lost propegty by fire in November, why should like aid be refused to those who have lost, or may lose, property by the same means in any other month of tho year; and why should the sufferers of 1872 bo relieved in this manner, and not thoso 0£ 1873, and of all other years? It is better for a Government to be just than gener- ous. Generosity cannot disguise injustice, and & discrimination in favor of the sufferers by the fire of one dsy, and against those by fire on an- other day, would not be just on the part of the Municipal Government. If the law wes 80 framed as to lend the public credit of the city to every person whose house is destroyed by fire, ‘without reference to any particular fire, then, being general, there would be some equality in it; such a scheme would of course be instantly changed prices. The grain in store in this city, on Saturday evening last, was 419,996 bu wheat ; 539,154 bu corn; 574,225 bu oats; 133,561 bu rye ; and 259,184 bu barley. Prof. Thomas Hill, of Waltham, Mess., con- tributes a suggestion concerning the most effi~ cient mode of quenching fires, especially in high buildings in cities, whichis of the greatest im- portance. This is, that the tendency of firemen is to play on the fire from the top instead of at the bottom. Numerous scaling ladders are brought to the spot, and an immense amount of force is wasted to drive the water up through the hose to where it can play on tho fire from the least effective point. The tendency of fire to go upward is irresistible, and fire in the top of & building can never be put out so long as the heat and flames are coming up from below. o spread a fire rapidly it must be lighted from, the bottom, and so to quench a fire rap- idly it must be put out at the boitom. The suggestion proves itself, but it is difficult to see in the implements of our Fire Departments any sufficient provision for applying it in practice. If the lower stories are accessible to the firemen through unshut- tered windows, they would be verylikely to avail themselves of it, as the flames wounld burst through and afford the firemen their mark. But ‘where the flames only appear through the roof, or upper parts of a building, it is generally be- cause they cannot get out at the lower part, and, where they cannot get out, it is equally difficult forthe fireman to get in. The only way of ap- plying Prof. Hill's suggestion in all cases is for the Fire Departments to provide some means of boring through brick and stone walls speedily, and at any desirable point. It might be poesible to provide such a means ; butin its absence fire- men cannot always obey the injunction to “play low.” The present Constitution of {he State of New York was adopted in 1847, and contains a provi- sion that every 20 years &’ Convention shall be held to revise the same. In 1867, such Conven~ tion was held, and after sessions extending over two years the work was submitted to the people and rejected, except the article relating to the Judiciary. The feeling in the State, how- ever,is that the present State Constitution needs amending, and the Legislature, at its last session, authorized the appointment by the Gov- ernor and State Senate of o * Commission,” con- sisting of four persons from each of the eight Judicial Districts, to prepare amendmonts, which are to be submitted to the people. This Commission has just been gppointed, It consists of sixteen Republicans and sixteen Democrats, all of them men of learning, experi~ ence, and sbility. It includes many of the most eminent men in the State; it is non-partisa®’ and its action will probebly be harmonions, and, for the same reason, will probably be acceptable to the people, This plan, however, of forming a Constitu- tional Convention, ig & pew one, but there is no reason to doubt its efficacy, (f ol bodies, a Convention to make e Constitation showa wrtisan. - Buch & body is no place for party - politics. Fhers should be no legislation in a Constitution, ang thers fhould be nothing in a Constitution thatshould nof heas equally ac- cepiable to one party es fo another. Tho Con- vention now in session in Pennsyivaniz, thongh differently organized, is also noh-phrtisan. Some yearsago there was an'election for dele- gstes to a Btate Convention in New Jersey, and, without any authority of law, a double set of delegates, composed cqually from both parties, C.nvestion of 1827, ond Secretery of the Treas- wes elected, and made s Constitution rejected, but no reason could be given for re- jecting it that does not apply to the measure that has been proposed. The measure proposes thai the municipal credit shall be loancd to enable those owning the real estate to rebuild. The only plea for this is that they have suffered aloss. If the object be to afford relief, why not extend the loan to those who have suffered loss in goods, and to ensble them to purchase new stocks? The real estato was not consumed. That remains, and has possibly in the aggregate s value but little diminished from what it hadbefore the fire, with the buildings upon it. It was valuable prop- erty, ag valuable as any in Boston. The man who owns that real estate cannot be enid to be ‘poor, nor without credit. He can borrow, upon the pledgo of the land, an smount of money equal to the value of the building he is to place wupon it. He can borrow it upon as good terms as the city can do 80. If the land is not worth the money requir- ed to improve it, then he had best get rid of it. 1t will be but poor security to protect the city from loss. ¢ In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred the owners of real estate as valusble asis thatin the burnt district, can do much better by man- aging their own affairs than by borrowing money through the City Government. There is private and available wealth enoughin Boston to re- build an area four times as great as that which was swept by the fire, We mneed not refer to the complications of City Government when jts functions are extended to those of the mor to the cor- ruptions incidental to such business. There is an impression in Boston that this proposed act of the Legislature had a preced- ent in the case of the Cityof Chicago—that this city inits corporate capacity extended re- liof to enable persons to rebuild. The city had no such power, and no money; it obtained from the State a repayment of certain money ad- vanced npon the canal improvemont, but that sum has been applied to replace public build- ings destroyed by fire, and to other municipal uses. After our fire, thero wasa demand for municipal aid to rebuild private property, but the good sonso of the community soon disposed of the proposition as unwise in the extreme, BATLROAD ABUSES. Ar. John A. Coleman, of Providencs, R. I, has availed himself of the medium of the Atlan- tic Monthly to recount his experience in fighting a railroad corporation. His story has had the effect of attracting greater attention to the sub- ject of railrond abuses than twenty ordinary suits for damages, prosecuted through the Courts, could have done. Briefly told, he made & trip from Now York to New Haven, and ten- dered the conductor & coupon-ticket which called foraride from New Haven to New.York, this coupon having been purchased on a former oceasion and never having beenused, M. Cole- man claimed that thenumber of miles was exactly the same one way as the other, that the Railroad Company had his money, and that he was entitled to the compensation in -* which the ficket represented, whether he traves “ark to New Haven, or from went from New ... — ~-~nnductor re~ New Haven to New York. ‘ne.. o fused to recognize this argument, said that u.. instructions were not to receive tickets in this interchangeable fashion, and intimated that Mr. Colemen would be obliged to getoff the train. MMr. Coleman had a regular ticket in his pocket, which he failed to show, resolving to msake o test-case of his claim. At the next station, the conductor came in accompanied by fivoor six brakemen and baggagemen, seized the pessenger, and ejected him from the car. The process of ejection was unnecessarily brutal, and Mr. Coleman suffered serious injuries. He brought guit sgainst the Compsny for $10,000, passed through several trials, in which ke always found the juries with him and the Judges agamst him, and finally received a ver- dict for 83,500, which was sffirmed by the Su- ‘preme Court, The most mignificant incident of the whole offair was the persistent determinstion with which the Railrosd Company fought Mr, Cole- man's claim, fully reflected in the remark made tohim by one of the prominent officials, that it was not Mr. Coleman but the public they were fighting, and that, “right or wrong, they would make it 8o terrible for the public to fight the road that they (the public) would stop it.” This Point sets forth the entire complaint which the public has to make sgainst the railronds; that they invariably strain every resource to pro- tect their employes in the exercise of any force which looks like zeal in their infer- ests. This is-generally the case, whether the ma tter concerns the forcible ejection of a pas- senger, or the individual responsibility of a con- ductor or engineer for an accident. It is the disposition of the majority of railroad manage- ments to place a despotic construction upon the rules and regulations which the law permits them to establish. Railrond officials are author- ized to put passengers off their trains When they refuse to pay their fare; but such an aunthoriza- tion does not contemplate or justify the exer- cise of such force as to maim or injure for life. There are few railroad stations at which there is not an officer of the law who can be called upon for such an emergency, which is extremely rare atter all, and whose official badge will serve to do the work quietlyand quickly. Had the New York & New Haven -Railrond deprecated the action of their employes, discharged them for their bratality, and made a settlement with Mr. Cole- man, it would have been a lesson that would certainly have precluded the recurrence of o similar outrage, without depriving them of any protection of the Company’s interest. railroads would rather assist in the prosecution of conductors, engineers, and other officials guilty of criminal negligence, the result would be beneficial for themsolves, in the end, as well a8 for the public. If they would take as much pains to enforce the observance of common politencss and common decency among their subordinates, as they do to protect those sub- ordinateg in all their wars against the comfort and rights of passengers, they would gain more in the good-will of the public and in the decrease ‘of suits for damages than they could possibly lose in stolen rides or an increase of accommo- dations. There are two practical remedies against these flagrant and frequent railroad abuses, each of which is making its own way, and both of which will be materially aided by public opin~ ion that has long felt outrsged. One of these is found in Btate legislation for the protection of the travelling and shipping public, which 18 undergoing improvements in several States of the Union. Mr. Coleman’s experience has sug- gested four necessary provisions: 1. Uniform and reasonable rates. 2. A first-class passage for & first-clpss fare, including & comfortable 8%, polite treatment, and safety in limb and body. 8. When a dollar is received by a railroad company, the equivalent of that dollar shall be roturned, whether the pas- senger be travelling east or west. 4. That rail- road companies shall confine themselves to the same peaceful redress, and cause arrest only by officers of the law, except in cases of gross out~ rage upon public decency or threats upon life, when, of course, there will be & common pur- pose to suppress the abuse summarily in a rail- road car a8 everywhere else. These provisions seem to be reasonable enough. There is a hope that the Railroad law of Illinois, enforced by the Reilroad Commisgioners, will secure them for this State as soon 28 the affirmation of the Sn- ‘preme Court can be obtained in cases now pend- ing. THE CONDITION OF THE NAVY. The report of the Secretary of the Navy does not give & very flattering exhibit of the condi- tion of that service. The vessels now on the rolls are represented to be of the most useless character. During the war there were twenty light-dranght monitors built, at a cost of $£16,000,000. Not one of these vessels was ever employed in the service or fired a gun. The Government has a large number of navy-yards, whose business it i3 to repair vessels ; but such is the expensive manner in which these yards are mansged, that the cost of repairs exceeds that of construction. *An instance is given where the Pensacols, which cost originally $825,000, cost for repairs $750,000, or more than twice the cost of building her new. It is repre- sented that it will cost more to repair the other now useless vessels of the navy than it did to ‘build them originally, Congress, at the last session, authorized the Secretary of the Navy to sell worn-out vessels and useless material sccumulated at the navy- yards. Soveral of these vessels are soon to be gold, and the whole of them will, in time, be of- fered tojthe highest bidders. Of the whole force of fifly iron-clads, not more thsn ten can be rendered fit for naval purposes, and'the eale of the others is recommended. The Secrefary, it is snid, will recommend that there be s completa reorganization of the naval force, and that the present vessels be replaced with others to be ‘built. It will hardlybe & surprise to the conntry to Imow that work done in the pavy-yards costs perhaps three times what it would cost if done in private yards. That judgment was frank- ly given last winter by meyeral experi- enced persons - in their evidence before Congressional committoes. ~The fact is, the navy-yard business has degenerated intos mere political agency, used for party purposes, and with little or no regard forthe public in- terest. Thera is no greater political abuse than is involved in the expenditures in these navy- yards, and none that requires more seriously the . application of reform. Practically, wa have no nevy; ourvesselsare all useless or out of repair, and there is & frank confession that the Govern~ ment can have iwo vessels-of-war built ina- private ship-yard for the same money that it will cost to repair an old vessel in a public navy- yard. It doesnot seem difficult to see either the evil or the remedy for this condition of things, — The ladies connected with the Chicago Protes- tant Orphen Asylum take this opportunity of re- ~inding a generous public of the usual custom P i 7ing dipper to the children of giving w _ * = the Liftlo ones now in the institution. a. ~ helng 20 er ber more than ever before, tne.. - B one hundred, it is necessary that more . usual energy should be exercised to make the dinner & Buccess, and those having them in charge hope that the ladies and gentlemen of the city will be liberal in their_contributions, either in money or provisions, which may be sent :fi ;ba Asylumon or before the morning of Thurs- If all’ - on the stage, and hence her singing THE GAS QUESTION. Tlow Mr. Billings’ Ten Per Cent Propo- sition Sirikes the Mayor, Reasons Why the City Cannot Enter Upon Any Such Scheme, The Idea Very Pretty on the Surface, but It “ Won't Wash.” The proposition of tho West Side Gas Com- pany, made Monday evening, is not lookpd ‘upon quite 28 fayorably by the head of.the City Gov- ernment 28 it was at first by some of the mem- bers of the Council. The Mayor yesterday ex- pressed himself quite frankly in regard to the matter. The ides, he said, was a favorite one with Mr. Billings, who had mentioned it to him pretty nearly every time he had met him for a year; the Mayor had invariebly urged him fo reduce his charges for gas; but AIr. B., while claiming that he could not reduce without loss, had set forth Lis side of the case in the paper he sent the Council. The counter-case, a8 it appeared to the Mayor, ig sbout as follows: The city hasno sufficient or trustworthy guarantee of an economical and faithful manegement of the gas-manufacturing business. Themoment the city guaranteed the stockholders a net profit of 10 per cent on capi- tal invested, that moment it cemsed to be of interest to the Company whether coal wasbought dear or cheap; whether the cost of lsbor rose or fell ; whether the price of iron advanced or decreaged; whether it was more or less costly tolay pipe; whether there was or was not care- lessness which might lead to_accidents, involy- ing the expenditures of large sums; and whether there were many or few employes, well or poorly paid., On the contrary, it ‘would be for the interest of all salaried officers or employees: of the company to run 3 nor would the Company by adding to their numbers, lessen their ‘work intorfere, since it would not bes loser thereby, but the severs taxation which it involved would be borne by the city, whose people would pay it, as most indirec! taxes are paid, without much resistance, but with & vague feeling that something was wrong, This very difficulty had prevented the Federal or Btate Governments from seriously attempting to regulate the cost of transporta- tion on railroads. by the lan of guaranteeing & certain rate of profit to the roads. Whenever an effort has been made looking £o & resort to that system, the objection hag been raised, ‘“How are you to guarantee cconomy, and fidelity, and integrity in the man- sgement of the roads, when the stockholders no longer take any interest in securing them ?" hor; & contract of the kind Cpmpuuefl would be an admirable one for the Gas Company, since it would give them an assurance equal to that enjoyed by the holder of & DUnited States bond; it would be relieved of all anxiety, and all motive for business prudence, drawing a certain per cent dividend. The stock- holders would be_ indifferent whether the gas m good or bad, cheaply or extravagantly . Then, the Company would have no pecuniary interest at stake to induce it torefuse tolay Bipes whero oy woro ot needed. Then, any derman could have them laid, miles upon ‘miles, for the benefit of speculators in unim- proved property, and have them stretch out upon the rairie, where there was__ mot & singlo consumer, simply to add to the value of . this land. It would, in- deed, be to the interest of the Company to have this done, sincs it would thereby add to the in- vested capital on which it wasto draw 10 per cent. The Company would, therefore, find it to its advantage to log-roll with members of the Council, and induce them to put through reso- lutions requesting the Company to extend its mains. The greater the cxpenses, the grester the investment, and the grezter the dividends. It wounld become impossible to_tell what gas would cost; it would be an ever-changing rate, higher to-day, lower to-morrow, but, as & gen- eral rule, always sdvancing, owing to the fact that there would be no one specially interested in keeping down the price. The City Govern- ment, too, is an ever-changing machine. Half the Council goes out every year; there is a new Mayor every second year; the Boards and heads of departments are constantly shiiting. No one can tell what degree of fidelity or regard for public interests future officers may mamfest ; ‘what has been done, and is doing, is known; of the future, nothing can be said. So, too, Mr. Billings is doubtless sincere, but he cannot pro- Yide a8 to what his successora may do. Under the proposed system thers will be ad- ditional ternptations to corruption, abuses and increased eAx}:emiitu:a. Many doors would be opened for Aldermen, members of the Board of Public Works, and their employers, to make im- roper gains, Itwould bea newsource of Al- lermanic patronage, 8 new means of rewarding their_relatives, frionds, and bummers, They would get them places in the employ of the Gas Company, jobs of pipe-laying, etc. Men would cease to bo employad since they ware experic enced and useful; but simply because they had Aldermanic backing. For these reasons, the Mayor is of the opin- ion that the City cannot afford to accept this proBgsition, snd that it woud be chssper to uy the works outright, which cannot be_done at present, since no bonds can be issued, and the direct taxation required would not be en- dured. Probably the only practical solution was to induce the companies, to lower their rates to citizens, and then let the City Govern- ‘ment watch them as closely as such corporations could be watched, and see that they complied with their agreements, that they farnished gas of good quality in sufficient quantity, md%id not cheat in their measurement; and if there could be any advantage from competition to enjoy it, holding it over them, o prevent ex- tortion. AMUSEMENTS. THE PHILLIPPS CONCERT. " The “ Phillipps concert,” at the Union Park Congregational Church last evening, was one of the most successful of the ‘‘Star” course, thus far; both in point of merit and patronage. The church waswell filled—comparatively few of the seats being vacant. . We published the pro- gramme yeaterday morning. Adelaide Phillipps was received enthusiasti- cally. Her first number, the “ Una Vocs,” was given with that artistic abandon which marks most of herefforts, and was rapturously encored, in response to which she sang * The Rosebush® conmollo affeluoso. Her next number, the “Laughing Song,” in which she has achieved a distinction peculiarly her own, was loudly encored, as usual, and followed by *‘Comin’ Through the Rye.” Weneed not eay more than that ‘Ade- Iaide” wasin good voice, and her efforts were fully up to the high standard which Chicago au- diences have long recognized in her ginging. Cornelia Stetson made her first appearance before & Western audience 'in Bellini'a cavatins, s 1a Solo,” followed by & duet with Mr. Mac- donald, “Masnadieri,” ‘““She Wandered by the Mountain Side,” and “I Know s Bank,”—thé balled in company with Adelaide Phillipps, who has already been announced as her instructor. Miss Stetson did ot teké the sudience by storm, but she -achieved & decided success, and will be Iong remembered ~favorably by those who had the plessure of hearing her. She possesses a smooth, pure voice, not re- markable for strength, but of very éven_quality thronghout & full Boprano register; which hss evidently been subjected to patient andlaborions training, Apparently she isnot entirel n{s hutnl:e ks the expressivenees for which it mey yet be noted. Her execution was not, howevey, entirely me- chanieal, though mechanically perfect. ° The sengation of the evening wds produced by Master A, Van Raalte, & violinist only.13 years old, who also miade his first bow in the West, and eft At first he was evidently very ly, too. zioryous, the injtiel messures of Mondeleshon' golo, A oRondo,” boing marred by several instances of indecisiye stoppipg, Bnt he sgon became rensiured, snd progéeded to ] "\;%l;'glma' acéfifiqfiesa of an old master ¥ioln, thaugh, of couree, paver: I-,“.tfing‘zb%e 1o ‘a0 S ‘“dsxna{] 0 ZRYE R 0 and Bubaeguen.., e Raall Bearcesy - - Proligy, bt ho Is botier -t that—a yo— ' ing g gentloman, with a decided talen %r his ‘chosen profession. His bomnfi nar:nperoi snd his fingering generally firm and neat, izzicato, ith- course, he introduced the features of i . WAL= double stringing, and double out which no ome csn hope to win ap- ; glnuna in the modern _concert-room; but e took them all easily, snd apparently without laborious effort. We shon]; gmlge from his style, that he takes the most pride in the solid excellencies of violin playing, and thereis, there- fofe, §ood Teason to beliave that he will prove to be an accomplished musician, who can capti- Zl:is the hearts of his audiences a8 well a8 their 3 N Mr. Macdonald sang “Thou art 80 near,” the cavatins ‘‘ Beware,” and took part in the duet with Miss Stetson, in his nsual acceptable man- ner, his singing not lacking in interest, even though foiled against that of the artistes who occupied the more conspicuous places on the programme. THE FARINT CONCERT. ‘The cpm%].imentsry concert tendered to Sig- nor Farini by his pupils took place last evening at Central Han% and was attended by an sudi- gacg,vmil bu iafir:;hnfiufic, aelef: but appre- tive, A complimentary concert is hardly & fitting subject E)r criticism. It is mainly & personal matter between gupi!.s and their teach- er with such assistance by way of encourage- ment 88 & good-natured public may see fit to be- 8tow, and as occasions of flnskm! are usually actended by the friends of the beneficiary and s eleves, of course they are pleased and express ?u;iau- ploasure by their applause and the grate- & o, m]?amgé i refore, 8 thlitma 80~ i3 it were, itic chould therofore share - the corial spirit of the occasion, and, overlooking the demerits of the af- fair—which we are free to say Were numerous enough—bestow such praise as he may on ‘what was meritorious, & programme of six~ teen numbers there were three ar four which de- serve credit in greater or less degree. Miss Haskell'ssinging of Schumann’s beautifal song, He of all the Rest, the Noblest,* was admira- ble in every respect. Itis rare that so young & singer betrays sufficient intelligence to resd Schumann's music, in which words, melody, and accompaniment are 8o closely interwoven. Her nat ly (sympathetic voice is finely adapt- ed to this class of music, and 0 gava the song in a manner worthy of many ar- ists who aspire to the ferm professional.” Her success in this number wonld indicats that she ghould devote herself carefully and conscien- tiously to music of this class,—that is, the Schu- mann, Schubert, and Franz songs, as well as others of tl':e German rom:_l.;\lfic schaol. ’J.'has; magnificent songs are_rapidly gaining groun in"popularity, * sad Miss Haskell “promises to be & very faithful interpreter of them. Mrs, Francis, who excels in intensely dramatic music, had an aris of this description—Concone’s * Judith "—which she ch intensity of feeling and with unusual dramatic spirit. The song was well adapted to her style, and the deliveryof it gained for her a hearty encore. Mr. Gates sang & romance by Balfe, which displayed at its best his fine high voice, and Signor Farini sang Bchubert's “ Wanderer,” which brought out his tel!inivoics at its loudest and its best also. But :J does he use it vigorously, and well nigh furiously ? Why does he let it run away with him ? Concerning the rest of the programme, silence is golden. 2'VICKER'S THEATRE, ZLarge, elogant, and refined audiences are find- ing their way to McVickers this week, and Mag- gie Mitchell begins to feel at home once more, facing s well-filled auditorium, In “Jane Egyre" she reaches the highest point of success attainable in her pecaliar branch of the his- troinic art, partly -because the character isone calling for more of dignity and genuine dramat~ ic oapasity, and less of eympaietio eccentrisity than are incident to most of her impersonations; and partly because the flzy itself 18 one of the finest dramas extant. It is the best of Mr. C. W, Tayleure's many admirable adaptations, even as the original story was the chef d'euvre of its famous suthoress. In all respects the produc- tion of ‘“ Jane Eyre ” at McVicker's is superb. The title role in Maggio Mitchell's hands, Mr. Bhewell as Lord Rochester, Mr. Lansgan 85 Pro- fi:;:nr Blackhorst, Miss McAllister 88 Georgina, . Stoneall as Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Post as Afrs. Harley, Mr. Barry as Sam, and with stage fit- tings the most complete, aliogether make up & performance of extraordinary sttractiveness. HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE. The anxiety to gee John Allen’s handling of Rip Van Winkle leads to a fair attendance at Hooley's Oiglen House, and -those_who go ex- pecting to find food for ridicule discover that there 18 no little merit in his rendition of the role. In the first part of the playhe givessa good pictare of the rollicking ne'er-do-well, and in the lster and strongly pathetic phases mo small degree of native dramatic capacity is shown. The Enmrt by the company is good, and the piece is dsomely mounted. ATEEN'S THEATRE. Good houses and delighted auditors are the rule at Aiken’s, where Fox and “Humpty Dump- ty's” days are numbered. ACADEMY OF USIC. A thoroughly elegant production of the * Bea of Ice,” by AMiss Charlotte Thompson and the Academy Company, is being handsomely reward- ©d by & Well-paying patronage. NIXON’S AMPHITHEATRE. The imperfections which marred the first per~ formance of the * French Bpy,” by Morlacchi and her troupe, are gradually disappearing, ehu-ng}:ait cannot yet be said that the goneral re- sult reached a suitable degree of excellence. MYERS' OPEBA HOUSE. Minstrelsy in its neatest and most attractive garbis the verdict of the fine gudiences who seek for fun and find it at Myers’ Opera House. Milburn is & great csrd, and those who have mourned over the “ Epizootic” should now go and laughgb it. THE CITY IN BRIEF, Personal. The County Clerk issued twenty marriage licenses yesterday. Hon. Jno. W. Cany, of Milwaukee, is at the Sherman. General Vandever, Dubuque, is at the Tre- mont. T. J. Glaston, London, was at the Gardner House yesterday. General Jeff, C. Davis, U. 8. A., was quartered at the Tremont yesterdsy. . C. O, Gilman, President of the Jowa Central Railroad is at the Tremont. At the Gardner, yesterdsy, was Henry P, Vail, the New York Banker, Recorder Stewart bas sppointed John J. Hea~ ley to the position of Députy Recorder, Hon. D. W. Munn, of Cairo, was a guestat the Tremont yesterday. General Fitz Henry Warren, of Iows, was at the Tremont yesterday, Dr. Richard Edwards, President of the State dN:mu University, was at the Gardner yester- . % gave with mu County Clerk Pollock has appointed the fol- lowing deputie: . P. Niles, C. K. Herrick, Ed- ‘ward Drury, E. Barnard. i Misg Adelside Phillipps, Kiss Stetson, Miss Monel, Master Van Raalte, . McDonald,and Geo. W. Colby, are at the Sherman. Elihu Burritt, at the request of the Faculty, will lecture on “‘The Social Age, its Facuities ‘and Tendencies,” at the University of Chicago, this evening. The Hon. Jesse S. Hildrup, of Boone, and the Hon. Ira Curtiss, of McHenry County, members of the Legislature, were at the Briggs House yesterday. . Mr. W. H. Wood, formerly connected with the Burnett. House, Cincinnati, and the Osborn House, Rochester, will hereafter be found be- hind the counter at Anderson’s European. Hotel. At the Brig;s E. Pickett, Washington, D. C.; Prof. Jones, J. Beokman, J. B. Rand, Dubnque ; A. M. Buchard, Winona; H. C. ey, Now York ; T.-C. Jones, Delaware; George W. Chip- | man. Boston, were registered yest 53 At the Gardner yestorday were the following : Honry Mans; - Milwaukeo; John, Boale, Clove: Jand ] B. B. L Thera were the following namés on the regi- ster of the Tremont yesterday: Jas. C.Lau- rance, New York ; A. Scott, Lowell, Mass. ; Col onel S. M. Dayton, Cincinnati; W. Hoffman, San Francisco ; D. H. Pickering, Boston ; J. S. ‘Haskell, Providence, » ifiss Sarah Smiley, tho widely-known Quaker preacheress, is ‘holding a’ series "of -religious meetings in verions parts of the city.” Every afternoon this week, excepting to-morrow, ghe will Si“ Bible readings in the Firsp Congrega- tional Church, corner of Ann and Washington streets. : & = Among the arrivals at the Sherman, yesterday, were' the’ tunnwiag:‘ H. C. Rruno, Phngdel: his ; J. B: Clay, Henry Shaw, San Franeisco ; g."&‘. Hugtly, Montana .‘LPC: fim”’lflshw Yorlt; 81 ‘ongstreet, Brio, Pa.; B J. 3 Sints F E,’ M Soniae, Grabd Hapi gs Mg o Totke e rad i ing P i t Aner- Solfowing persons registered sb Ander -g%}fxm eaiz Bate), yesterdsy: Colamel M. S, o ' E.' Robinson, Major B. Nor- e g % %r,l‘lll)r.’%. N. Gilbert ille, Colonel B 2 £ X Gilbert, of Dubuane;: R B fow York; Geo, M, King, esbey, Boston ; L H. Eames, Ot-_ tawa ; H, M. Howes, Portland ; P..W. Furbush, Boston ; W. J. Selleck, Michigan. - Rapids; Wis.; Geo. McBride, Ohio; Robert Dow, Cambridge, Ind« Monson, Mass,; C. V. Goodard, d Wm. Cann .T'nnesyilh, R Everything. Thefourth: party, second series, of the Phanix Club, will be given Friday evening of this weelk. = The West Side French classof the Chicaga Christian Union will meot Professor Lafort, this evening, at No. 205 West Madison street. The twenty-soventh snnual banquet of tha Tllinois 8t. Andrew’s Socioty will be held Dec. 32, at the Maulton House, in the North Division. The Englewood Amatenr Club holds a meeting this evening at the residence of W. H. Brooks, Esq., Wabash avennue, between Sixty-second and -third streets. There are 1,000 drivers of double teams in Chicago who _have not yat procured their licenses. The M_sgur’s polico are hunting for them, and, to avoid a fine, they should procure without delsy the necessary permission to drive. James Monaghan, formerly connected with & puhlishingl}?uuain this_city, was accidentally shot and Killed by 8. 8. Eddy, in 8t. Louis, iast Saturday evening. His parents reside in Phils- delphia, and the body was taken thither by hit brother. The churches in the neighborhood of Cottage Grove hold s Union Thanksgiving service at the- University. Place Baptist Church, at- 1l o’clock, on Th\u'sda{. The Rev. J. W. Cracraft, D, D., will deliver the discourss, and the choirs| of the several churches will assist in the music.' Thanksgiving day will be- celebrated at the Church of the Epiphany in & manner quite new, gs b:};;afim,din edd : The chf“rc will be' eantifully decorated with grain, t, vegeta- bles, fémsns, and flowers. TL® sarvices will consist of anthems, carols, and: sarmon by the Rector, Rov. O. H.'W. Stocking, to begin af :45 8. m. The agent of the Employment Burean reports that the demand for laborers in the city is in- creasing, and that many men are being sent into the country. Yesterday seventy-four-laborers were shipped to farms in Illinois and the woods in the northern part of Indiana. The former will husk corn, and the latter chop cordwood. _The Young Men's Christisn Associatiorr of this city” will shortly place in all of our hotels a Hotel Church Directory, to consist of a larga frame containing the namo and location of tha churches in the city, also the time they have re- ligions services, to servess a guide for strangers, travellers, and others wishingto attend services, but not kmawing where to find the different places of worship. It is understood that the proprietors of four- feen hundred saloons have entered into a com- pact to keep their places of business open on Tnext Sunday, in order to test the ability of the anthorities to enforce the Iaw, Here is a brill- iant opportunity for Mr. Walker to acqnire in~ formation and swear oub warants. By com- mencing early on Friday evening, he will prob- ably discover before midnight on Sunday wasthep the fourteen hundred kept open or not, J. J. Crowley, who was & candidste for Clerk of the County Court at the last .election. pro- poses to contest the election of Mr. Pollock, the nominee of the Republican Convention. ~Mr. C. claims that Mr. Pollock is not entitled {o the office on account of an informality, the Lallots cast for him containing the words “Cunnty Clerk,” instead of “Clerk of the County Conrt ” —ithe two positions, it is claimed, being distinct. The question will be submitted to the Supreme Court next week for decision. The Mayor’s police, under instructions from ‘his Honor, are looking after swindling siage- drivers. Many complaints have been made, lately, of their small fiecad.illos, and his Honor in determined to revoke the liconses of all who are canght. The Jehu's are in the habit of in-~ ducing peopls to enter their vehicles upon prom- isingto take them a considerable distance; but, after collecting double fare, request them to leave the stage whena mile or two from tha & promised Iand.” The following residents of Chicago are regis~ tered in European cities: In Paris, J. A. Cutler and family; Geo. Dunlap and family; Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Dyer and Mr. and Mrs. g G. Dyer; A. H. Eving and Mrs. M. P. Ewin enry 8. Payson; Mr. and Mrs. N. B, Palmer; Mra, S, M, Nickerson ; Mr. and Mrs. J. Magill: Sanford E. Loring and family; Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Por~ ter and child; Martin Ryerson and family; Perry H. Smith. In London, Miss Chaveller; A. J. Fisher. In Liverpool, Mr. Edwards; Mr. and Mrs. Woodbridge and daughter; In Ilorence, Ttaly, Ats. 8. C. Neff and Miss E. Neff. Yesterday morning, at Anderson’s European Hotel, & gentleman went out of his room, leav- ing under his pillow a pocket-book containing $600. Soon after, Annie Ambrosis, a chamber maid, went into the room, made up the bed, and replaced the pocket-book under the pillow, * In an hour or so Mr. Careless rushed frantically through the office, up stairs to his rqom, fully expecting, as he afterwards said, that his money would be gone. Grent and joyous was his sur- prise to find that An.ie Ambrosia, unlike thres out of five %ersoxm had not touched the valma~ ble book. Bhe had beaten upthe pillow and re- placed it without disturbing the money. The gentleman called for Annie and—thanked her, The Rev.J.P. Newman lectured yesterdsy evening at the Centenary Church, before s se- loch and respectable audience, which cheered langindly. The subject, ‘From Greenlands ° Tcy Mountains” was suggested to the rever- oud, gontleman * by his eommer _visit to the icy nmountains in _question. The first partof the lecture was devoted to the question of an open Polar ses, the expedi~ tions in search of it, the Polar continent, etc., together with the scientific problems which, it was h?ed, these expeditions would solve. He i : lescribed the inhabitants of Grsenland, heir arigin, ways and customs, etc, The lecture was quite an interesting one, and ‘contained a good deal of general information. The Washburne dinner, according to Custom House rumor, has worked a complete change in the local state of Government ofiice-holders. The following are the beliefs expreesed : That United States Marshal Campbell will bezome & ‘melancholy Indian Agent ; that the Hon. N. B. Judd will acquire & thorough knowledge of the Dutch ]anguh:i;a as Consul to The Hague ; that the Hon. Phil Wadsworth will be Pension Agent; that no amount of lobbying =and log- rolling can accomplish the removal of General Webster, Asseasor of Internal Revenue ; that Collector Irwin is a candidate for the Mar- Bh&la!n&i but that Mr. Jacob Rehm will, in all g;ob&b ty, get the place ; that Mr. Squires can Postmaster, if he feels so disposed; snd, ‘better than all, that ex-Collector McLean will ba reappointed Collector of Customs. The following subscriptions have been re- ceived by the Society Danis for therelief of their suffering countrymen in Denmark, made home- less and houseless by the recent severe hurri- cane in that country: Cook County Savinge Bank, $50 ; President Scandinavian Bank, $25; 8. D. Jacobson, M. D., $25; A. Jacobson, 825 Hotel Denmark, 825; which, with a number of smaller enbscri%tiona, makes a total of 2430.25, collected in the last three days. er sub- scriptions will be thankfally received by George P. Hanzon, o the ook County Sariags Bank, and Colopel Jacobiason, at the Scandinavisn Notional Bank. These funds will be a once sent forward by the Dania Society, and they urge that the citizens of Chicago msy show their spmpathy for their suffering fellow-coun-~ trymen by frealy subscribing. The suit_of Jacob Tripp against L. D. Mills and Elias P. Reade, alleging the obfainment of money under false pretenses, had a partial hear- ing before Justice Vant Woud, yesterdsy. The complainant claims that he boarded with & man named D. Adney, and was by him induced to o the right tosell a patent spring bed in eoris County, which the defendants were au- thorized todispose of. Under Adney’sguidance he visited the affice of Mills & Reade, and entered inta negotiations for the purchase of the right. {F order to convince him that tho salo was' legiti- mate, Adnay purchased the right of Lake Coun- % in his preasnce, and paid $300 cash for it. assured, Tripp bought Peoria County for $290. He claims to have since discovered that the gale was fraudulent, and the right worth- less, as the parties had'not the slightest shadow of ‘authofity for claiming that they were the sgents for the patent. The case was' continned: J¢. Congress decides, at its next session, to és- tablish an Apellate Conrt, in order to reliove the Suprems Court of ‘a yast amonnt of appeal busi- ness, end if our distinguished fellow-gitizen Judge Blodgebs be appointed one of the Justices thereof, which js -extremely. probable, and if, in the event >f such an appointment, the Civil Sex- vice rules are lived up to, then United States Commisgioner - Philip' A, -E 'Dswnflal v United ;i 2 19 Staths Marshal = Campball Judge of & Unitpd ‘States If ‘the former gentlgman receives . the appointment, he will create a revolution- in the Instead of. the ale matter of le%a.l opiniong, - ways long and oftentimes dry addresses to which we are now treatéd, wo ghould have brief and comprehensive ‘decisipns, -Judge Hoyno will notwaste time end peper in-calling the attention of th3 ldwyérs fo the'. meoner in whichithe: an- clent st “of - Jones v3.’ Shith, or’Broith us: Robinson; was adjusted, but will brisfly inform complainant or defondant, as the.case may be, ““You're gone up, sir, d'y hear ?”